Issues with nursing manager but no longer in her unit. Can I still file complaint?

pielęgniarka, RN · Oct 31, 2008

If patient lives are in danger, of course, report it to the BON.

I left the unit of the said manager 6 months ago. The same unit has ongoing problems with the manager and managment is trying to fix their problems. I still feel that I should have submitted some form of complaint against her poor conduct and rudeness. Everyone in patient care knows how this manager behaves and she still continues to work in the facility. She has also been reported to the union and HR. I didnt know that people can complain to the state about nursing management until I heard a similar story in my sister's facility recently. Would you advise filing a complaint with the state as well? And where do we file the complaint? I work in NYC.

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

I was in a similar situation with a manager before, and it's not a good feeling. I guess it depends on the severity of the complaint. If patients (or staff) are compromised, I would definetly file the complaint.

Just try to think if it may come back to bite you in the ____ otherwise, but if it is compromising patient care, or something big, I say, go for it.

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Anne, RNC

HM2VikingRN, RN · Oct 31, 2008

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing

Jolie, BSN · Nov 1, 2008

It sounds as though you are frustrated (and rightfully so) at the inaction of the institution regarding this manager's performance. You mention "poor conduct and rudeness."

If you are referring to serious errors in judgment and lack of knowledge base or clinical skills that place patients and staff in jeopardy, then please contact the BON.

If you are referring to poor managements skills and poor manners in dealing with others, then I don't believe that a complaint to the BON is warranted. While these deficiencies make for an unhappy workplace, they don't compromise patient or nurse safety. To report a nurse to the BON is to place that person's license and livelihood in jeopardy. I don't think that is a fair price to impose for lack of people skills.

If you believe that you must involve the BON, I would suggest reporting the manager's supervisor(s) who have failed to respond to numerous complaints. I am not defending a bad manager, but she would not have the job without the approval of her boss(es).

JMO

caliotter3 · Nov 1, 2008

I also agree that you should report if the lives of patients are endangered. Make certain that you have exhausted all avenues of dealing with this with management.

erroridiot · Nov 1, 2008

I have seen several excellent managers "run off by sloppy staff" when they tried to clean up a unit with poor documentation, skills, work habits, knowledge levels, etc. The generalized complaints of "I don't like him/her." "She/he is rude, nasty, etc." are usually not specific or correct, but intended to incite upper management into firing or getting rid of the "trouble maker" who is so "rude" to the staff.

In many cases, managers do need to tell staff something they do not want to hear. In many cases the staff neglect to look at their own actions/knowledge level or need for improvement and start to shoot the messenger. Sometimes they even attack in a mobbing fashion and go for the jugular.

So, there is not enough information in your complaint to warrant any specific remedy.

It sounds as if you have a great deal of lingering resentment against this person.

Do you have a specific example of this "rude" behavior which does not include appropriately correcting a staff member for inappropriate nursing actions?