How would you react?

rpsychnurse · May 28, 2016

I think the way she handled it- via email - is completely innapropriate. I typically encourage others to speak to co-staff about errors/issues before going to management, unless the error was more severe or policy states management must be involved.

What were the errors? Being new- you're not going to do things perfectly but you should be ensuring patient safety. If she was complaining about errors like forgetting to make a bed or not filling out a form correctly, for example, that would be ridiculous to go to management over. If it was something like giving Lovenox to an actively bleeding patient that's a bit more serious.

I would seek her out and talk to her. Explain that you just finished orientation and you are still learning. Ask her to come to you if she notices you're missing things so you can fix them.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2016

I don't want to get too identifying, but it wasn't anything serious like giving lovenox to an actively bleeding patient!

I just feel put out. I already have a hard time asking for help because I know that this isn't the most supportive environment (this NICU has incredibly high turnover rate). This just makes me not want to ask at all. These are the type of nurses that throw you under the bus for every little thing. I wanted to stay here for a solid year, but now, I am hoping to just survive for one and leave for a better unit.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 28, 2016

I would state "I understand your concerns, thank you for letting me know and I'll take it under advisement" and keep it moving.

CC attracts a certain "type" as long as management continues to entertain the negative side of it; make the adjustments, and if you desire, professionally tell her you prefer a better direct approach the next time, especially since you are still learning a specialty and if the error is minor.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 28, 2016

Responding to an inappropriate email just generates more inappropriate-ness. I would schedule some time with your manager to discuss the issue and the email. This kind of passive-aggressive behavior is best left ignored to wither and die. Don't feed it. I know, it's tough to do. Hang in there!

macawake, MSN · May 28, 2016

I agree with rpsychnurse. If the error is a serious one, policy might well dictate that management be informed.

Just got an email from a nurse who cc'd part of management highlighting issues she had coming off after my shift. Nothing dangerous or life threatening. One of the mistakes I made, she made as well.

However the above quote tells me that the errors you made were relatively minor and should in my opinion have been handled differently by your coworker.

I know now to avoid this girl who wants to "help" me.

Did she actually say that she cc'd management in order to be helpful ?

How should I respond if I at all?

I'm not sure how or even if you should respond to this. I guess that one could make a case for either option. Let it slide with the knowledge gained that this person absolutely cannot be trusted or approach her and explain your feelings on the matter and try to reach a mutually agreeable solution on how the two of you will handle future incidents of a similar nature.

Personally I wouldn't be able to or even want to ignore this.

Under most circumstances I'd simply approach her and and ask that in the future she'd address me directly instead of communicating via email and involving management if the error was minor. I think what rpsychnurse suggested is a level-headed approach.

I would seek her out and talk to her. Explain that you just finished orientation and you are still learning. Ask her to come to you if she notices you're missing things so you can fix them.

If something about this coworker really rubbed me in the wrong way, I can see myself handling this in a much more childish way. I actually did in a similar situation. (I found out later that this particular coworker had a long-standing habit of running to management tattling about everything under the sun and that even management were quite fed up with her). I told my coworker that being new to the facility, I hadn't yet read up on the correct procedure regarding dealing with errors that coworkers make. I thanked her profusely for showing me this and asked her which exact members of management I was supposed to email regarding her mistakes since I'd neglected to inform them about her recent one and how I sooo wish to make a good impression by adhering to facility policy. Passive-aggressive with a touch of intimidation added for flavor? Oh yes.

I don't recommend this approach at all because it really is rather unprofessional. But darn, did it feel good :laugh: It worked for me as I had a strong feeling it might given my read on her personality, she never gave me any more trouble. Quite the opposite, she went out of her way in an effort to avoid conflict with me.

OP, I think that the level-headed, straightforward approach is the better option.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2016

Thanks for the replies.

I really am trying so hard not to bite this girl's head off. On one hand, I do want to reply. I don't want management to think that I am making mistakes she is catching and she isn't making any. On the other hand, if I ignore it, I don't want management to think that I don't care because I do!

Her concerns are valid, but they are off putting especially since she made some of the same errors in the opposite direction.

I usually go above and beyond to try to make a shift easier, but now I think I am going to do what *needs* to be done and to hell with doing more.

dishes, BSN, RN · May 28, 2016

Replying with a response similar to ladyfree's, will show your manager that you are able to take the high road and handle criticism even when delivered inappropriately. Continue going above and beyond, remind yourself that it's for the patient's benefit.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 28, 2016

Responding to an inappropriate email just generates more inappropriate-ness.

I concur. I received an inappropriate and unneeded email at my PRN/per diem/casual workplace 2 of months ago from a coworker who worked in another department. Foolishly, I responded instead of ignoring the condescending message.

Let's just say it didn't have an ending that was advantageous for me.

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · May 28, 2016

I wouldn't respond to the email. If they were mistakes you made, own them, but not in an email. If you have a chance to talk with management about it, do that. Just be prepared to discuss what you've learned from it, and how you hope it will avoid future errors. The only thing the email response will do would be "deny culpability" (not owning up to mistakes) or owning them in writing. I'd try to avoid either. Just learn from it. Nobody is perfect; we all have room for improvement. I'm sure management knows you're newly off orientation.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 28, 2016

I wouldn't respond to the email. If they were mistakes you made, own them, but not in an email. If you have a chance to talk with management about it, do that. Just be prepared to discuss what you've learned from it, and how you hope it will avoid future errors. The only thing the email response will do would be "deny culpability" (not owning up to mistakes) or owning them in writing. I'd try to avoid either. Just learn from it. Nobody is perfect; we all have room for improvement. I'm sure management knows you're newly off orientation.

Good point. So I guess silence is golden?

Management knows that I just got off orientation (barely a week out). I wish I had someone I could trust, but I guess you can't trust anyone, especially in an ICU. Never had this issue in med/surg.

allnurses Guide · May 28, 2016

Responding to an inappropriate email just generates more inappropriate-ness. I would schedule some time with your manager to discuss the issue and the email. This kind of passive-aggressive behavior is best left ignored to wither and die. Don't feed it. I know, it's tough to do. Hang in there!

I agree with not responding in an email.

Talk with your manager instead. But not in a whiny, complaining way. Just acknowledge the mistakes and ask for advice.

Be professional. Don't lower yourself, no matter how you feel, to the level of the woman who sent the email and cc'd it.