introduction/help with abuse

irshnrse · Oct 29, 2005

If this is where you are planning on working after graduation, you have to either stand up for yourself or transfer to another floor. You need to document EVERYTHING. Just like they teach you in school, if you didn't document it--IT NEVER HAPPENED!! You shouldn't have to prove your competence. Your work will prove that question. You need to go to your charge nurse and, if you are not satisfied with the results, your manager. That is your right. If you are not satisfied with the manager's handling of the situation, then go to their manager, etc. You can also go to Risk Management (or the equivalent) and file a formal grievance. Show them that you are professional by going the appropriate routes and following the chain of command. If they punish you for it; GET AN ATTORNEY. That is illegal. Good luck. Unfortunately there are nurses that eat their young. Yet another reason for the nursing shortage today. :devil:

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 30, 2005

welcome to the site. enjoy your stay and best wishes to you. :balloons:

LydiaNN · Oct 30, 2005

Is this a floor where you're doing a clinical? If so, by all means, get your instructor involved. If not, you need to review your employee handbook and follow the policy for filing a complaint. Clearly, the nurse who is giving you a hard time hasn't done so. If she has specific instances of what she feels were incompetent behavior on your part, then she should be reporting them to your NM (or following the chain of command at your facility). I'm not saying that she has any just cause to be calling you that in the first place, I'm just saying that she clearly isn't following any established protocol for dealing with whatever concerns may exist. The last thing you want to do is get into a tit for tat with her.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2005

Moved to General Nursing Discussion Forum.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2005

The way I see this is that this nurse is threatening you. That is usually against hospital policies. You need to talk to your nurse manager or to this RNs supervisor and tell them exactly what she said to you. This kind of verbal attack and intimidation is generally no longer tolerated in workplaces by management and administration as it can result in lawsuits. How could this nurse know that you are not a good student? Does she have something to do with your nursing school training? What is your job title? How does your job have anything to do with your nursing school? You didn't give enough information.

hollyster · Oct 31, 2005

I am sorry that you are going through this. You must document the abuse. Speak to your instructor, she/he should intervene on your behalf. If I were in your place I would not work for that facility.

Unfortunately, horizontal violence is rampant among nurses. Contray to what on poster stated mangers are often the abusers themselves. You do not want to start your career with bullies. You will have enough stress starting your carreer, you should not have to worry about toxic co-workers.

rn/writer, RN · Oct 31, 2005

I'll echo Mercyteapot. If you are still in school, you should have a clinical instructor. She should be your first line of defense.

Have other students seen this nurse's behavior in action? Would any of them be willing to back you up?

As others have mentioned, document the heck out of all of this. Keep your own private account of each day's incidents. But do take HIPAA into account so you don't add to your problems.

I hope you can get through this unscathed.