I hate this "squeaky wheel gets the oil" actions in healthcare!!

cleback · Dec 5, 2018

I know you feel uncomfortable bragging about what you did but I think that's the way to go to get clinical recognition from your manager. (It's annoying that your coworkers throw others under the bus in the process though!) I assume they aren't following you during a shift or regularly reviewing your documentation, so how are they going to know how great you're doing? I used to have to keep a portfolio for my reviews... in it, I would give examples of how I was meeting organizational values (excellent clinical care, collaboration/teamwork, stewardship). Maybe start something like that and bring it to your review?

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2018

Unless the award also comes with a check I'm not really interested.

Those *******s can keep their gold stars. I get my satisfaction from the relationships I have with my patients. Seeing them improve.

Flatline, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2018

Just as you advocate for your patients, advocate for yourself. Now it is important to not focus on negative success but rather positive success. By that I mean, do not say you did something well because you caught the mistake of someone else, focus on that you have XYZ attribute that has allowed to catch ABC issue.

Document your successes as well. If you can, email a supervisors for every success (try to play it off casually) just to discuss or email yourself simply for documentation. When you go in at the end of the year you can list your successes.

Many nurses will look down upon self-advocating behavior but it is incredibly important for your career. Maybe that gold star won't be attached to a check but if you collect enough of them a really big check may come down the line or a new opportunity that you would have otherwise not been considered for.

JKL33 · Dec 5, 2018

The behavior is related to feeling poorly about oneself. It's not about being able to share a genuine accomplishment, it's about an esteem problem that is only temporarily mitigated by finding little reasons to prove to themselves "at least I'm better than her...." which is why they phrase it in hero/savior terms even when it's something that 99% of everyone else also would have done, or when it's something no one cares about, or when it's a fake problem they came up with so they look like they fixed something.

Just do your work. Give them a sincere "great job!" and go on about your way. Don't worry about whether they get a gold star unless you want to elbow in and try to score your own meaningless accolades for performing basic job functions.

Davey Do · Dec 5, 2018

This is what I'm getting at: I don't feel recognized at work.
I've never been the type of person to announce my work. My documentation should be adequate... right?

External validation is a fix, LPNewbie. Sure- we all at least appreciate being recognized, but bottom line, self-recognition can be an ongoing feeling.

"My happiness is not a result of what others do or say or what happens around me. My happiness is a result of being at peace with myself."

Peace be to your inner self.

Davey Do · Dec 5, 2018

I got to thinking more about your thread LPNewbie and considered "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" portion.

I believe the saying goes "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" because grease adheres to the wheel bearings whereas oil is less viscous and is a shorter term maintenance approach.

In applying these oil/grease concepts to our need for external validation, oil is like the short term fix of recognition by others and grease is much more of a long term maintenance approach, much like self satisfaction. Being satisfied with who we are and what we do.

On the lighter side of things:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]28043[/ATTACH]

Kallie3006, ADN · Dec 5, 2018

Your coworkers being a "hero" should not be labeled as such for doing their job. When you find a rash you are supposed to follow up with the doctor if this is new. Congrats to them for seeing something, informing the doc and following through with orders received. Good gravy, the need for validation and putting down coworkers seems to point to some inner turmoil they have going on. Sheeesh.

Possibly ask your manager what difference she notices on their work compared to yours. Word it to you asking what she thinks you can do to better yourself and your patients care.

Does your facility do staff recognition cards? That patients can fill out? If a patient or family praises your care, expresses a sense of relief that you are the nurse assigned, see if they want to fill a card out to let your manager know what a blessing you are to the patients and families, as well as the establishment.

Most people want clinical praise. They want to know that they are valued, their work noticed, etc . I know I would feel inadequate if I never was recognized while everyone else is. I get where you are coming from.

Daisy4RN · Dec 5, 2018

I don't see how this can end well for unit cohesiveness. This unit behavior/norm just pits nurses against each other instead of encouraging team work. Nurses need to be able to look out for each other without the fear of someone constantly looking over their shoulder while giving each other the benefit of the doubt. I had a nurse once who came after me running around telling management and everyone else how great she was because she found my "mistake"; The MD had changed the IV fluid but had told me to go ahead and finish the current bad first, which was charted and which was told to this RN in report (not listening?), so no mistake was made. Not sure what was going on there but either way it was pretty pathetic, IMO. I was also like you, if I see a need, I take care of it, if I see something that needs to be fixed, I fix it (no hoopla). One unit I worked at had little cards for patients/families to fill out telling management how great a nurse was, some nurses would take these into the pt's room and ask them to fill it out, I found this highly disturbing on a number of levels and would never do it (although it might be appropriate for a certain pt/family) . I realize this can be disheartening at times. The questions for you though is what kind of person/human being do you want to be. I choose not to fall into this way of acting/thinking. I just did the best I could do (but as others have said you do need to toot your own horn now and then) for the patients and try to go home at the end of the day with a clear conscious. In the end it doesn't matter how many little 'I am a great nurse' cards you collect. What matters is that you have done your best for those in your care, this is what will fill your soul with happiness and make you not only a great nurse, but a great human being! Good luck!!

Also, sometimes the squeaky wheel does not get the grease, sometimes it gets replaced.

LPNewbie, LPN, LVN · Dec 5, 2018

Unless the award also comes with a check I'm not really interested.
Those *******s can keep their gold stars. I get my satisfaction from the relationships I have with my patients. Seeing them improve.

Okay, it's good to know I'm not alone in this haha

LPNewbie, LPN, LVN · Dec 5, 2018

Just as you advocate for your patients, advocate for yourself. Now it is important to not focus on negative success but rather positive success. By that I mean, do not say you did something well because you caught the mistake of someone else, focus on that you have XYZ attribute that has allowed to catch ABC issue.
Document your successes as well. If you can, email a supervisors for every success (try to play it off casually) just to discuss or email yourself simply for documentation. When you go in at the end of the year you can list your successes.
Many nurses will look down upon self-advocating behavior but it is incredibly important for your career. Maybe that gold star won't be attached to a check but if you collect enough of them a really big check may come down the line or a new opportunity that you would have otherwise not been considered for.

This isn't a bad idea. As silly as it sounds, I've never considered advocating for myself. I really like this idea. Thank you!

LPNewbie, LPN, LVN · Dec 5, 2018

I got to thinking more about your thread LPNewbie and considered "the squeaky wheel gets the oil" portion.
I believe the saying goes "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" because grease adheres to the wheel bearings whereas oil is less viscous and is a shorter term maintenance approach.
In applying these oil/grease concepts to our need for external validation, oil is like the short term fix of recognition by others and grease is much more of a long term maintenance approach, much like self satisfaction. Being satisfied with who we are and what we do.
On the lighter side of things:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]28043[/ATTACH]