How would you react?

[ThePrincessBride]

So I literally just got off orientation and I am in a new specialty, so of course I won't be perfect.

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.

I really don't know how to respond other then, "Thanks, but no thanks for throwing me under the bus! And by the way, you made the same error!"

I was running my ass all night doing a lot that some of the other nurses even admitted that they would pass on to day shift, so I am ticked about this. I know now to avoid this girl who wants to "help" me.

How should I respond if I at all? I have taken her feedback and all, and emailing me about my errors isn't what bother me, her emailing me and adding management on is what rubs me the wrong way.

Damn. Out of orientation for a few shifts and I am already being thrown under the bus!

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Clearly this is a toxic work environment. Now that management has an email of this nature, a paper trail has the potential to be created.

I may sound paranoid, but I have been there and didn't realize it until it was too late.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Something like, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. In the future, I hope you will bring any perceived issues directly to me so that they may be dealt with in a timely manner."

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Good suggestion, it's assertive without being aggressive.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

One more thought: I never respond to an email unless I want a response in return. Kind of like I never point my weapon at something unless I intend to shoot it.

[RNdynamic]

OP: the nurse who is sending emails sounds like a brown-nosing weasel. Take the criticism constructively but don't even bother responding to the email. She is hoping for attention. That is why she CCed the email to the managers. She's not letting them know about your issues for the sake of helping them; she's doing it in order to ingratiate herself with them. Ignore her. The second she sees weakness in you, she will exploit it.

[RNdynamic]

ICU/critical care tends to attract the type-A, detail-oriented, anal-retentive personality types more so than the med/surg floors. Hence, you'll contend with coworkers who highlight what you didn't do for as long as you stay in critical care.

Very true, unfortunately. Personal experience.

[DeeAngel]

Document every little detail of what's happening in a personal notebook. You never know when detailed information about issues may come in handy. Nothing will get a bully to back off like someone whipping out a notebook and giving specific dates, times and details.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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.

How is it for the pt's benefit?

Also, OP is seething with anger (not unfounded, IMO). So she really isn't able to take the high road and handle this criticism - and I'm not saying she should be able to.

OP - I think I'd be tempted to ignore this altogether. That is, don't make any written response for now, just think this thing over for a while and wait until you stop being angry, discouraged, scared, and surly. Wait until you are less emotional about it before you respond.

I guess this other nurse was angry and tattling and maybe trying to impress management. I'm not sure what was in her head, but just am guessing.

You might want to ask your preceptor or manager if you are supposed to be informing by email or some other means or at all other staff when you find their mistakes and sending a copy of this communique to management. Or not.

I'd really be tempted to ignore the whole mess. And it is a mess. God, why are there so many things like this in our profession? Is it just nursing? Surely not.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Document every little detail of what's happening in a personal notebook. You never know when detailed information about issues may come in handy. Nothing will get a bully to back off like someone whipping out a notebook and giving specific dates, times and details.

And do NOT tell anyone you keep a diary. It's just yours, for your protection. Do not violate HIPAA by removing pt names, etc in a notebook that you take home.

For all you know, others keep diaries, too.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I think an acknowledgment is in order, but one that doesn't admit culpability.

Something like, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. In the future, I hope you will bring any perceived issues directly to me so that they may be dealt with in a timely manner."

This highlights the fact that she is dodging the chain of command by not bringing it up to you first, and that emailing you afterwards is cowardly and doesn't help anybody.

It isn't the emailing that's really the issue, IMO. It's the cc to managers, the tattling.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

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.

I get feeling put out -- her approach was highly unprofessional. I would caution you against adopting this attitude however. If you can go above and beyond (sometimes we can't -- I get that, not what I'm referring to), it's for those little babies and their families. Don't do the bare minimum simply to spite unprofessional people.

[beckysue920]

If you feel you must email, send the email to the manager AND cc the complainer, letting them know, if necessary you are willing to meet with the 2 of them. DO NOT address the issues in the original email. This way your butt is covered and you didn't ignore the communication. Then ask the manager to set up a time for all 3 of you to meet.

Start your OWN 'diary', but do not keep it at work nor divulge to co-workers what you are doing. Keep it to yourself only. (Pardon my paranoia, but you never know if a mutual acquaintance may narc on your CYA tactics to the annoying co-worker.)

Be careful, in the future, with all emails you send because we all know they can come back to bite you...especially work related. Verbalize it.

I know, it would feel SO GOOD to ream her a brand-new a$$-hole, but we have to put our big-girl panties on and not stoop to her passive-aggressive antics.

I hope all goes well, let us know what becomes of this.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Print out the email and go to her and have a little meeting. Ask for input. Don't do the you did the same thing, thing...so what, she's not new. Why are you so upset? Your new so deal. I would take all advice and make co-workers, not enemies. If you ignore it, it won't go away. It sounds like this nurse could be a friend. See how I did that...turn it around; don't burn bridges so early.

Pick your battles wisely; don't make a mountain out of a mole hill as many of the previous poster have suggested.