I think I'm being used as a pawn

[lsid16]

Hey everybody,

I just started my first nursing job a month ago at a family clinic. I love it! Anyway, I applied for a Clinic RN job and interviewed for a Clinic RN job. In my interview, the Dr. asked if I would like to take on Office Manager duties. I thought "Sure, it'll be fun expanding my knowledge," since I had never worked in an office before. Well, it turns out the Dr. is trying to muscle the other Office Manager out of the office on personal issues. He bad mouths her a lot. My Dr. expressed to his boss that he would like me to take over Office Manager duties. I had a meeting with his boss to discuss the issue. That boss told me that the Dr. had no authority to ask me to take on Office Manager duties, due to the fact of labor laws, change of title, and salary issues, and the current Office Manager is doing a good job now, and because I am so new to nursing and the office environment, it would be inappropriate for me to be the Office Manager. She did say that I am allowed to assist the Office Manager if need be. I AM COMPLETELY OK with that. With me being so new, it would be inappropriate. So, I return to the clinic and the Dr. asks me about the meeting. I tell him what she said, and the Dr. told me to totally disregard her and that he wants me to take over the clinic. Mind you, he is telling me to disregard HIS boss. This issue goes somewhat deeper, but I feel I am being used as a pawn, and it is making for a very uncomfortable workplace. I love my job, but I am in a pickle.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I agree with you. Tread very carefully here. I would absolutely NOT go against this doctor's supervisor. Everyone is expendable, especially the brand new nurse.

Fairly early in my career I got myself into hot water by allowing myself to become an unwitting pawn in a power war between L&D and the postpartum unit. Looking back on it, I can clearly see how my supervisor egged me on and being the younger new nurse, I went along with it. Suffice to say, I didn't make any friends and I caused a LOT of animosity. Thankfully, I was only there 1 year and I was able to move on and remake my reputation at a new hospital. Lesson learned!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Yeah, keep your head down and your mouth shut. Nod a lot.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I agree with you. Tread very carefully here. I would absolutely NOT go against this doctor's supervisor. Everyone is expendable, especially the brand new nurse.

Fairly early in my career I got myself into hot water by allowing myself to become an unwitting pawn in a power war between L&D and the postpartum unit. Looking back on it, I can clearly see how my supervisor egged me on and being the younger new nurse, I went along with it. Suffice to say, I didn't make any friends and I caused a LOT of animosity. Thankfully, I was only there 1 year and I was able to move on and remake my reputation at a new hospital. Lesson learned!

Yeah, keep your head down and your mouth shut. Nod a lot.

These two things go pretty much hand in hand. Don't go against the Doctor's supervisor and keep your head down, mouth shut, and nod a lot... because YOU are the most expendable one there. A good way around it may be to simply tell the Doctor that you'd be OK with taking over the position after a written authorization from the Doctor's Supervisor and a new contract outlining exactly the duties to be performed, the new salary, and how to deal with all those issues involved that the supervisor outlined. And don't forget to clue the supervisor in on this so she's not blindsided and you get to stand your ground with the Doctor.

The main thing is to keep yourself out the the line of fire between those two. Their issues were there before you got there and will likely be there after you leave... unless one of them does first.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I would say "As I understand it, and I can't disregard the supervisor, I am under a nursing contract, and the contract can not be amended to include office manager duties full time at present. I can, however, assist in the duties of the current manager if time permits. If you have issue with this, then you need to speak with supervisor, however, I will assist where I can."

This is a situation that doesn't pertain to your issues. And I would try hard not to make it into your issue. You are a nurse, and such, will hopefully be busy with your own duties, therefore, won't have a lot of free time. But I would be sure that I send this back to the MD to discuss directly with the supervisor.

[Marshall1]

Stay out of it - simply tell all of them - repeatedly if needed - you are happy to assist the clinic/coworkers in any way you can that does not place your license in jeopardy and you prefer to remain out of the discussions/decision making that effects others since you are new and not in a management position anyway.

Sounds like the doctors need to get some business skills and give up the gossip/petty type behavior.