I'm the office manager and "his wife"

[netglow]

Good or bad omen?

During a brief phone conversation for a position at a specialty clinic I spoke with the OM. She says, "I'm the office manager and his wife" referring to the practice owning MD.

Anybody work in a situation where "the wife" was somewhat your boss?

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

I worked with a doc who's father and mum was part owner of the business - and it was an absolute nightmare. Her hubby used to come in every so often care for the kids when the doc was working & he was pretty much an arrogant pig. After having helped these idiots set up everything - they 'let me go' - and I put many hours of hard work into setting up their TWO offices. The Dad & Mum (who was the most old witch u could imagine) interfered in things they didn't even know about. The Mum was an ex-pysio and used to tell diabetic clients with unhealed wounds that they just need to exercise the limb more! I'm like: it hasn't healed cos they don't take their inslin (whatever the case was). But Mum knew better than anyone cos her daughter was the doc - and the doc never, ever interfered. And the staff got blamed for everything - even if it was mum and dad's fault.

Never ever ever in this lifetime will I work with a married couple. I suggest when u go 4 the interview that you state up front u will not be getting involved in 'taking sides' with any marital squabbles, & will only deal with surgery business.

See how the interview goes though, u might be worrying for nothing!

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I worked for my personal family doc, whose wife was the OM. Known them for 26 years. It was horrendous.

Now, where I work...the doc's daughter is the OM, the son is the receptionist, and God help you if you have an issue, cause there's not a whole heck of a lot you can do.

As I said, all the makings for a nightmare.

[Old.Timer]

The fact that she felt a need to mention it during the initial call which was brief would raise a red flag for me.

[gigglymo]

I completely agree with Old.Timer. But it depends on your tolerance level, how bad the job is you're leaving, and what the position would do for the rest of your career.

[rnccf2007, BSN, RN]

STAY away!!!!! I was once worked as a medical receptionist for two partners. I was interviewed by doc 1 and his wife, and they hired me 2 days later. Doc 2 and his wife (unofficial OM) were on vacation. In fact, I was hired so that both wives could afford the luxury of staying home and taking care of their families (after struggling to help their husbands build a new business). Then I met doc 2 and his wife (unofficial OM). I could tell that the she disliked me intensely on the spot, and she and doc 2 got in an arguement in a back room the first time she met me. To this day, not sure why, but I suspect that it was because I was young (22) and pretty, and she was a very insecure individual. I was married with a 3 year old son at the time. Then the harassment began. Doc 2s wife would make sure that she informed me "don't forget who the boss is" when no one else was around. The last straw for me was when I opened the account ledger one morning and found all of my entries outlined in heavy read ink (some pressed hard enough to tear through the paper). To be honest, this greatly disturbed me and I quit the next day. I know that Doc 2 was aware of what was going on and often made excuses for his wife. He was totally devoted to her and his children, but caught in the middle. It was an ugly situation, and he was probably relieved when I quit.

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

Been there, done it, never again. It's just a recipe for disaster.

Ditto this. It was awful.

[1968cowgirl]

Sorry y'all have had bad experiences with husband/wife teams. My Administrator/owner and DON are husband and wife. They compliment each other in every way and run a very nice business. Great working environment. Just my experience.

[Guest717236]

I worked for an MD whose wife was the OM. It was one of the

best jobs I had. She did not interfere in the medical side , basically

handled the business and scheduling end of the business.

It was 2 MDs and myself and we were too busy for drama.

My suggestion, try to get a sense of how the office runs and if

it is a good opportunity for you. Not all situations like this are

bad, it really depends on the individuals involved . So since jobs are

scarce, please evaluate carefully before you refuse it.

On the other hand, if the environment looks like a daily soap opera,

move on....

Good luck with finding a new job..

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Thanks all responders!!!!

Notes taken! I will see if I can bring up the "do you guys get along?" stuff. I won't get to see the office during a normal day. So, I won't get to sense a vibe. This I know is not ideal, but it's their game. I did ask how long the previous nurse had been with them an she said 2 years. Well, since her name is listed on their website, I looked her up and she got her license a little over a year ago.

We'll see what happens.

[rayshettabrown]

Bad experience!!!! Would never work in a practice like that again,was constantly :nurse:put in the middle.

[noahsmama]

I did ask how long the previous nurse had been with them an she said 2 years. Well, since her name is listed on their website, I looked her up and she got her license a little over a year ago.

OK, that's two red flags, and to me, this is a much bigger one than the husband/wife thing. Do you really want to work for someone who's going to lie to you?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Thanks all responders!!!!

Notes taken! I will see if I can bring up the "do you guys get along?" stuff. I won't get to see the office during a normal day. So, I won't get to sense a vibe. This I know is not ideal, but it's their game. I did ask how long the previous nurse had been with them an she said 2 years. Well, since her name is listed on their website, I looked her up and she got her license a little over a year ago.

We'll see what happens.

She could have worked for them as a medical assistant while going to school.

I had an ob/gyn who's husband ran her office and he packed the patients in so tight you hardly saw her.

But . . . . another ob/gyn office manager did the same thing and they weren't related.

I think this go could either way and asking pointed questions about how the staff gets along is a good idea.