I don't mean to whine...

Published

Hi guys, I haven't posted in awhile but that doesn't mean I don't read at least once a week. The reason why I'm posting is this...I've got a problem at work. I graduated a little over a year ago. Got a 'verbal warning' a few months ago about some 'minor' issues (not being strong enough in my enthusiasm for a bath for my pts, some charting errors, not helping others like I should, not really having the whole picture when giving report), I was told I would be followed up with if there were any problems in the meantime while I waited for my 3 month 'checkup' from this problem. I tried to follow the plan of action that my nurse manager and I planned and about 3 weeks ago, I got my follow up. This time it was a written warning because (I still am not helping others as much as I should , and that the night prior I should have called ___ dr instead of ___ dr). So this time, I'm a little upset, tell my nurse manager so and take the write up even though I feel like its not right. I tell her that somehow I feel that i'm getting singled out (c/o me doing homework ). She gives me the excuse of "once your name is brought to certain ppls attention, you have to work that much harder to keep them from having a problem with you." So I ask her to keep me informed with updates AS they COME to HER attention so that I can actually related them to an issue/pt etc and have some sort of idea about "WHAT is EXPECTED of ME" from my co-workers. Well, I got my first update, it was that I did my baths early (work in an ICU and do our own baths with our 1 PCA as we can ) and that at the other end of the unit (I couldn't even see this room from my area), they had to restrain a pt, and then they got an admit while I was doing my baths). I've responded to my nurse manager but as its the weekend I haven't gotten another response from her. I feel that I'm being singled out (for whatever reason, I don't know) as there are sooo many other issues going on in this unit, like going to joke sites on the internet, using the printer to print out funny pictures and then papering everyone that is in the clicke's locker, like laughing and cutting up about who got drunk, with who, how much, how sick they were, cussing and then laughing and leaving the unit because they found out a family member was in a room and problably heard...I don't know what to do. Should I keep 'plugging at it' or 'throw in my towel' and give up. Its gotten to where I don't enjoy being here and I'm afraid it's going to color my view of nursing but at the same time, I know I'm a good nurse and that most if not all of these issues are unfounded and I want to prove it (but so far am unable!)...

Advise please!!

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Did you post this while you're working?

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yes I did, in defense of my self, we have 6 pts in our unit tonight, I have 1 of those and there are 5 nurses. Everyone is on the internet, all patients are asleep and all my patient care is done.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

I wish I could get paid to play on the internet!

Do you want to keep this job? I'm not trying to be a buttmunch, but if you're posting on the 'net about your job while you're being paid at that particular job, I just wonder how much you care about it anymore.

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I do want it, but I don't want the unfairness. My patient is sleeping, we're not allowed to bring in homework, I'm finished with everything but getting my patient up at 6, no one needs help, can't go home, what else should I do, especially when even the charge nurse for the shift is on the computer?? I don't know, I'm just REALLY frustrated...

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I would go around and ask if anyone needs anything before I EVER sit down and chill. You cant help you were giving a bath when they got an admit. Do you get along with the people in your unit? Are you freindly? Do you feel that you really do help out best you can? Just wondering...

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

Did you offer to help with the restrained person or the admit in any way, like with some of the busy work of an admission?

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I do get along with everyone. There are a bunch of younger nurses (early 20's) and I'm pushing 40 (though I don't like to admit it...) so there is the social issue there but NO I don't have any problems with anyone. Our unit is broken up into 1/2 with 6 beds on each side and usually 3 nurses on each side (ICU). We only have 1 PCA for the entire shift and they help with all 12 baths. Like tonight, and alot of weekends, we're short on pts and they have to keep enough nurses here in case we get admits, the PCA finished her stuff hours ago and went home but we're here (the RN's), everyone has been talking or surfing. My patient specifically requires that I stay to where I can see her so the socializing that might occur on the other side of the unit I can't participate in (even though my patient is asleep, she's a 1 on 1 with precautions....)...I always ask if anyone needs help, usually we all help turn, give baths etc. Again, no one has made a mention of my needing to help more EXCEPT my nurse manager who is getting these complaints from someone...(or more than 1 someone...?)

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The restrained pt, no, from where I was at (our unit is kinda curved, and my part of the station was around the corner) and the restrained pt was around the opposite corner, so I couldn't see any issues and I didn't hear anything and No, I didn't help with the admit because it wasn't there (and I knew nothing about them coming, the pt ended on the other end of the unit) when I started my bath...When we bath, we do weights etc so I was in the room probably 30 minutes (safely)...Usually, I help put orders in or help with labs or whatever might be needed as we all help in any way we can and thats whats got me so frustrated...

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Specializes in LTC.

If I'd gotten a written warning I wouldn't be touching the computer....I would bring up the other issues to my manager...if she was open.

She isn't paying your unit to play on the internet...and it's not just you and she needs to know that.

Now..I'm goin' to bed..so if that didn't make sense...blame *my* work :p

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
"once your name is brought to certain ppls attention, you have to work that much harder to keep them from having a problem with you."

That.

Even if everyone else is on the internet, doing homework, etc. during down time, I would strongly advise you NOT to do the same. So, what else can you do when your patient's asleep and you're caught up and you can't leave the immediate area? Anything that looks like work. Stocking, dusting, tidying, ANYTHING. When you do have a patient that you can get out of sight of, be visible doing useful things, like the aforementioned. Make sure you ask *every* nurse if s/he needs any help. If possible, join your unit based council (if you have one) or safety committee and get involved in the unit outside of just working your scheduled shifts.

IMO, if you do have a target on your back and are being singled out for whatever reason, your only recourse is to do your very best to fit in with the unit and let the chips fall where they may.

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Sounds to me like they want you gone, for whatever reason. If I were you, I'd start looking for another job. From what you're telling us, I don't think there is anything to be gained by trying to prove you're being singled out unfairly. You don't have the power in this situation, they do.

My experience is that certain nursing units are very tightly knit and if somebody's personality doesn't mesh with the group's personality ways will be found to get the new person out. This is especially true in a small unit such as an ICU, where people have to depend on each other every day. Is it unfair? Yes, but that's the way it works. You, as an individual, can't expect to fight it and win.

While you're looking elsewhere, play the game. Stay off the internet at work, even if every other nurse there is on it. Continue offering to help your co-workers. But do it to take care of yourself, not in the hope you can win these people's approval. People who are truly unbiased and wanting to help you be a good nurse do not report you for something like calling the wrong doctor. They point it out to you and they explain the correct way of determining which doctor to call, and in an ICU they may get a little heated in doing it, because delay in reaching the right physician can seriously compromise a patient, but they don't REPORT you to management. And people with your best interests at heart don't go behind your back to report anything.

I have only your post to go on. Maybe you're an excellent nurse, maybe you are a menace to the unit. But in either case, based on what you say, these people want you out and they're in the process of creating the paper trail to get you out. Take care of yourself and look for a supportive environment. Now if, down the road, you post again saying you're getting the same complaints at your next two nursing jobs----well, you figure it out! But best wishes to you.

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