In trouble for giving good care

[rockingsr]

I had a run in with my charge nurse yesterday. It has been brewing for awhile with remarks such as you spend to much time with your patients.. Ect... I still get all of my work done on time and my patients love the attention. Yesterday I asked her why she hated me and she said the truth is because patients request you and that's not right. Nursing should be a team thing. I don't understand this because I help all the patients on the floor and answer As many call lights as anyone else. It all came to a head when she yelled at me in a patients room in front of a patient. Now I feel like I'm the bad guy for doing a good job. Does anyone have any advice. I have been a nurse for 13 years and now I am contemplating switching fields. I guess no good deed goes unpunished.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Don't switch career fields, just places of employment.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Cheer up, at least she didn't yell at you for giving poor care. And by all means, don't quit. If you ever find another job, do not burn bridges with this one. These blow-hard types are usually just that~hot air.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am going to quote another member whose words ring true (unfortunately):

Compassion is not efficient.

I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope you find another job that will appreciate what you bring to the table.

[LoriLu2010]

I left a job for a similar reason (after 20 years)The area that I worked happened to be some of the sickest population of patients that required much more time in which we never have, well after being called to the supervisors office and being told to have a union rep because of complaints that I was not moving fast enough, I decided that I needed to re-evaluate my place of employment. I am much happier for leaving, but I miss the wonderful friendships developed throughout the years. Now I am deciding the right path to go as far as moving forward with getting my R.N. (not getting any younger @ 48) So somewhat at a crossroad, I know that you will find the right path for yourself, welcome the break for now and re-energize yourself! Best of luck!!!

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

As a pp suggested, don't burn your bridges, but you may want to start looking elsewhere quietly. If the only complaints that the charge has is that you are patients "request you" and that in actuality you answer call bells, get your work done on time, then that could be time management strengths that you bring to the table. I would specifically ask her how it is that she would like you to be more of a team player. That could mean anything. Also, if you free up time by not spending it with patients, what is it that you could be doing instead? If in your free time you could be stocking the unit, or other tasks, then by all means, ask. (and that is perhaps what the issue is, that others are doing extra tasks, like stocking, while you are in with patients spending time) If you know what tasks you need to complete on your shift, then you can plan your time differently.