Husband and wife working together

[JinnyLynn]

Okay, new to this site! Have a question! My husband and I have worked together as RNs in a local ER for the last 4 years (VERY well I might add). I recently got promoted (demoted) hehe to Charge Nurse. The one before me HATED IT AND WAS BURNED OUT. So she stepped down and DA DA DAAAA... I was deemed the one to do it. Okay, so at first I did NOT want it. It is a headache and not worth that extra dollar.... That's right, ONE dollar more an hour for charge. Well, i got over my own aversion for the position and started coming up with a plan to make it better for everyone, bring the morale back up, better our patient care. Anyhow, I find out today that, oh no.... Someone messed up and all of a sudden I can no longer charge because its a rule that one spouse can't be "over" the other spouse. Does anyone have any info on this? It's not in the BON. Apparently they have known about the situation but haven't said anything as there is no one else that wants to take on the position. I'm confused as to how I should feel and what I should do.

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

My facility's policy is that a married couple/parent-child duo/etc. can work on the same unit, but neither one can hold a management/supervisory position. This meant that when one of our employees took a coordinator role, his wife had to transfer into another department.

Same in my hospital. We have several husband/wives that work for us, some well some not so well. My husband used to work for the same hospital as me, and it was a disaster. I was in a general leadership role and had to make some decisions that affected him, and that did not go too well. Thankfully he got offered another job and is no longer working at the same hospital. I want to keep it that way.

[JinnyLynn]

Wow... Reading back That WAS rude. What was I thinking? Geeez, I'm sorry. I honestly didn't mean for it to sound... Ummm... Like it did.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

It is great that you and hubby have a great working relationship. However, if it is against hospital policy then you just need to accept that. You have several options here:

1) Step down from charge and give up that one extra dollar an hour

2) Make sure you and hubby do not work the same shifts( but then you are sacraficing family time)

3) Tell him to transfer to another unit or hospital.

We are not in your marriage or family so we cannot decide for you. You know you and your family best so therefore you'll have to make your decision carefully.

From my experience, it has always been the norm, family cannot supervise family.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Talk to HR but I believe that is for sure the standard, and may be a law. The way we got around that was to have one of the couple on a different rotation.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Talk to HR but I believe that is for sure the standard, and may be a law. The way we got around that was to have one of the couple on a different rotation.

I don't think it's a law (however you never know in this country!). I think it's more of a facility P&P thing to prevent any problems that arise from spouses/family/couples working in the same unit.

We have couples (married and otherwise) working at the facility...they are almost always on different units.

Another reason for couples/family to NOT work the same unit: the rumor mill often kicks into high. It kicks in even if you're working separate units.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Ugh, working with your husband and seeing him at home too. I just can't get past that part :) What is the fear, that you might show different treatment or they didn't like your leadership style? They lost a good charge nurse it sounds like!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I don't blame you for being confused as the powers that be gave you the position probably knowing full well that you worked with your husband, then ..oops! sorry, you can't do that job. Not fair on their part to have given you the position if that is the policy. That being said, it is a common policy. My employer does not allow dating/romantic relationships regardless of marital status if one person is in a supervisory position over the other. I believe it is due to the fear of a possible sexual harassment suit down the line if things go south, or allegations of favoritism by the supervisor toward their partner leading to a lawsuit. It is all about the bottom line, and big companies have big legal teams writing policy that prevents litigation against them.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I'm also surprised that your facility allows you to work together. Where I work, spouses are not allowed to work during the same shift. This also goes for siblings, as well, unless we're in a pinch. There were times where this one nurse was in charge and we needed help so her sister was going to come in, so then I had to assume the charge nurse role so there weren't any "conflicts."