Im doing my job,Im not part of your team

[optimist]

This may seem petty/silly

I work weekends doing wound care in LTC. Recently we acquired a new nurse on weekdays for wounds (2 nurses m-f, just me on the weekends). She is such a nice person and trying very hard to fit in and learn the job. Whats bothering me is she is sending correspondence between departments signed "Sincerely, your wound care team, Nurse X, Nurse Y and Nurse Z (insert my name there). Some of the correspondence include letters of praise and gratitude to physicians and PAs gushing on and on about how wonderful thier care is (signed Your Wound Care Team with names). She doesnt even know these people and has very limited knowledge of their inattention to detail, and lack of respect for nurses. Today she brought in lavish gifts for the managment from the Wound Care Team.Talk about a brown noser! How can I tactfully tell her that I would prefer she not include my name on gifts and correspondence. I go in every week to do a job, and though I do communicate with the weekday people, I prefer to not be included as a part of this "team". I dont want to be rude but this is annoying!

[Chin up]

UPDATE****

So I was still torn when I came into work this morning. Part of me agreed with those who thought it was a harmless gesture of goodwill, part of me was still irritated that she was using my name. It was an awkward moment this morning that settled it. I was making my way down the hall when a Pts family member stopped me to say thank you. "For what?" I asked dumbfounded. She looked confused but replied "for the lovely Easter basket you sent my family". I was at a loss for words but smiled and said "Oh sure thing". Ummm, I had no idea I had sent them a gift, Im not even that fond of that family (they are the definition of overbearing,picky,and nosy). Its one thing to kiss but on your own terms but dont include my name when its a butt Id rather not kiss. Oh and while she was distributing these gifts she actually bought cutesy BABY BIBS for a couple of residents that have issues with drooling. That is such a dignity issue, just because my mother/father has had a stroke and dribbles does not make them an infant that needs a winnie the pooh bib. Nice intentions but how offensive. I am DEFINITLY leaving a nice but firm letter for her before I leave this weekend.

Thanks for all the responses

Oh and hey, I want to be in this AN group-lol

Good, good good. Sorry to say, she sounds a little odd giving bibs and all. Easter baskets? Anyway, you did the right thing and will feel so much better. Kudos!

She does seem a little strange, if not overbearing. The bibs, are definitely condescending and should not be used. Maybe a talk with her, on resident dignity. Okay, okay, okay...will save that for another day. Peace!

[caliotter3]

Leslie will give you the Easter basket committee assignment when she welcomes you into her group!

[netglow, ASN, RN]

And this person is a nurse? I wonder what her background is, maybe home health? Sure doesn't seem she has any kind of background working in an LTC or Hospital as a staff RN -- she'd know what she's doing just isn't done and would know why...

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i agree that no one should be signing anyone's name to emails without permission -- especially the sunshiney up the butt type emails that the op was describing.

but the "bite me" button? i want one. can we have one please?

[caliotter3]

What does home health have to do with this person acting like a dork?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

BABY BIBS and Easter baskets! Blech! I would not want to be associated with that and I would point out the dignity issue with the bibs (after I removed them from the residents I would return them to her) and the favoritism thing with the basket. Is she going to send one to every family? Doubt it.... T

The departments in our facility usually electronically sign e-mail from the head of the dept or just the name of that particular dept. I have never seen all of the names of any particular dept. used as the siggie. I would clarify the departments standing with the DON- Maybe she was hired as "the Leader of the wound care team" and you are the last to know. I've seen that in LTC enough times. Even if that is the case she shouldn't sign anyone else's name and you are right to object but be careful because she will make you look like an orifice if you are not careful...

[netglow, ASN, RN]

What does home health have to do with this person acting like a dork?

Now don't get all huffy, I know a few who (well not to this extent) that buy little things for their patients. I was a bit surprised, but then when my mom had HH, well, her's bought her stuff too. I figured it was KA behavior so Mom would give a great press ganey.

Ruby, the BITE ME button issue has been suggested and Brian ignored it... Leslie was all for it (read surrounding posts), but then got all PC on me. She is the queen of BITE ME so really I think she was just kissing up to Brian to keep her AN Guide tag :anbd:

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/please-stop-telling-535804-page3.html#post4821853

[WIN007]

Hi, I am not being contentious, but your reply brought something to mind. When I first read the post, I took the letter writer to be gracious and the OP, petty. When it was pointed out, using someones name is wrong, I changed my mind completely. But, what I don't understand, is all the responses talking about a possible, conflict. The person doing this is new to the facility. The OP is a known regular. If anything, particularly since the new member is wrong to use names without permission, wouldn't the OP be more likely to get support rather than conflict, for telling the truth on how she feels about this practice ? And would it not be in the best interest of all parties, to have boundaries and expectations clearly established now, rather than later, so true dissension will not develop? Whether the new employee is a kiss ass, gracious or controlling, she deserves to know what is expected and what is not considered proper to this particular team. Team work takes honesty with boundaries, not to mention the benefit of the doubt, until proven otherwise. your thoughts..

I thought about it some more and I think you're right. Even if the persons intentions are the best the fact of the matter is it bothers her and she is crossing boundaries which may or may not progress. Perhaps a heartfelt explanation face to face is the answer to RAH-RAH Bambi. The only fly in the ointment is that something tells me Bambi may not have the emotional maturity to recognize the wisdom in your words and rather will be hurt and slighted and hell knows were that ends up. Is she going to run around telling God and Country that her efforts to team-build were stunted by the disgruntled pre-existing shrew in WC? People just can't be counted on to be adults, and it seems especially in healthcare tho I do agree a good policy is to treat them as such until proven otherwise.

In all makes me feeli very Blessed to be able to work indenpedently much of the time!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

gwinrn-omg!!!! omg! omg! omg!!! rotflmao!!!!

rah rah bambi!!!!

i have tears! i can't breathe! holy (blank)!!!!!

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

OP, I agree that Rah Rah Bambi is completely stepping over the line. It is one thing to give gifts to pts, but completely another issue entirely when she is signing your name to them. It puts you in an awkward position (as you just experienced).

Remember when I mentioned Crazytown? The bibs...are the definition of Crazytown. I didn't think it would take long. If I walked into my Dad's room and saw a bib on him, you bet your sweet (fill in the blank) that I would be LIVID. What on earth was she thinking? Did the bibs say "World's Cutest Monster"? Or were there little cars on them that had "That's How I Roll"?

Bambi needs an intervention.

[nursel56]

Oh Gawwwd! Dontcha just hate a chearleader-type? Does she have a license plate that says IFXOWIE? . .

. -bolding added-

Beverage alert! Thanks - that gave me a laugh!

UPDATE**** . . . Oh and while she was distributing these gifts she actually bought cutesy BABY BIBS for a couple of residents that have issues with drooling. That is such a dignity issue, just because my mother/father has had a stroke and dribbles does not make them an infant that needs a winnie the pooh bib. Nice intentions but how offensive. I am DEFINITLY leaving a nice but firm letter for her before I leave this weekend.

Thanks for all the responses

Oh and hey, I want to be in this AN group-lol

I don't think the sentiment behind it is wrong, but I was feeling pretty uncomfortable with the way this person implemented it. I think it's odd that a new person would do that without sounding it out with the other members of the team or knowing personalities first. Many people hate "cute".

The bib issue makes me think there are deeper issues at hand. Who would not know that was a dignity issue? When my mom was in an LTC last summer the CNA was not allowed to call that cloth item a BIB which I discovered as she was tucking the --- well I can't remember now what the tortured phrase was she was trying to say actually was because I said, "oh you mean the BIB? Let me do that!"

[Nccity2002, MSN, RN]

UPDATE****

So I was still torn when I came into work this morning. Part of me agreed with those who thought it was a harmless gesture of goodwill, part of me was still irritated that she was using my name. It was an awkward moment this morning that settled it. I was making my way down the hall when a Pts family member stopped me to say thank you. "For what?" I asked dumbfounded. She looked confused but replied "for the lovely Easter basket you sent my family". I was at a loss for words but smiled and said "Oh sure thing". Ummm, I had no idea I had sent them a gift, Im not even that fond of that family (they are the definition of overbearing,picky,and nosy). Its one thing to kiss but on your own terms but dont include my name when its a butt Id rather not kiss. Oh and while she was distributing these gifts she actually bought cutesy BABY BIBS for a couple of residents that have issues with drooling. That is such a dignity issue, just because my mother/father has had a stroke and dribbles does not make them an infant that needs a winnie the pooh bib. Nice intentions but how offensive. I am DEFINITLY leaving a nice but firm letter for her before I leave this weekend.

Thanks for all the responses

Oh and hey, I want to be in this AN group-lol

Oh, well...I will probably ruffle some feathers

Optimist, obviosly this situation is REALLY bothering you. Everyone had made really good points for and against, all I can say is follow your heart, but be professional and tactful about it. Instead of writing a letter, at some point, call her aside and say what you need to say, but face to face (as an adult professional). That way you will have an opportunity to settle any awkwardness. I am a little bit sadden by all the negative comments of nurse X being a "dork" for sending a Easter basket to a resident's family (that b*&%$#...how dare she!!??) and belittling comments of other specialty (are you guys kidding me!!). This kind of petty behavior is why I prefer to work with men (there!! I said it). OP, before you "confront" nurse X about her behavior....really evaluate why this person get under your skin (you may gain some personal growth from it), it sounds to me like there may be more to the story than you are letting on.

Best of luck....sounds like you will need it...