I've Had Absolutely ENOUGH And I Cannot Believe The Managers I work Under!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So let me start with last shift. One of the assistant managers told me she had to speak to me regarding my ''documentation'' so now I'm thinking what now? Over the last few months I've made it a habit to have excellent documentation and even in my last evaluation which was 2 weeks ago they said my documentation was good.

So getting right to it. She wanted to give me a verbal warning because during her ''chart review'' she found that a second set of cardiac enzymes was not drawn on a patient. Ok understandable. So I asked did the patient decompensate? No she said, the patient was fine, but she still needed to basically write me up about this. And might I add I had this patient a week ago. I had to stop and think and comb through the chart to remember who this patient was and what she was here for.

Then the second complaint was that I did not do my double charting. Yes they want us to double chart. They want us to chart in one computer system, then re-chart in another computer software system after the patient is admitted, and although I did two complete and spot on assessments of the patient within 10 hours (patient was completely stable) I still deserved to be reprimanded because I did not do my ''double charting" as I call it.

Now I already received a ''verbal warning'' because once again during a ''chart review'' the manager said I had no focused assessment of the patient, which was wrong. She failed to read the entire chart and looked over where I documented my focused assessment, but she was still able to ''get me'' on the write up because the patient was under ICU evaluation. Mind you the patient (who was to be an ICU eval because she vomited a small amount of blood twice at home, none on my time, completely hemo stable, and A&O) This occured during shift change and the patient had become an ICU eval literally 45-60 minutes prior to shift change and I was scrambling around trying to make sure she was on fluids, med drips etc.. but I had stopped to give report, therefore I was not able to placed the patient of the monitor, BUT a full report was endorsed to the evening nurse.

So on this second write up I'd just had enough. This time I had to have my delegate present. The delegate was peeved. She said do you know how many times this happens? You might as well write everyone up! She said she knew plenty of nurses that committed the same mistake and where was their write up, why weren't they sitting in the office as well?

It seems as though they love ''reviewing my charts'' and finding anything to bring up to me.

Now I understand being warned for something, but both patients NEVER decompensated, both were actually completely stable.

To be honest I just feel so terrible. I work in a crazy busy level 1 ER, where we get up to 14 patients sometimes, some of them being critical, intubated, hypotensive. Literally every shift I give 110%. I can understand if the patients decompensated, I'd take fully responsibility,but honestly I feel as though since I'm not a favorite of theirs, they try to ''get me'' you know?

This is the same place who gave new grad nurses (myself being one) only 2 weeks of unit training before throwing us on our own. I NEVER had anything major happen to a patient that was directly my fault, I've never suffered from the big mistakes a new grad can make working in a high pressure area, but yet it's as if they can still find something to slap in my face.

I am appauled at the way management treats there own nurses here. You get no credit, no respect, but if you do anything wrong, BAAM, like lightning they catch you. What kind of environment is this to work in?

I'm seeing more and more who they want to succeed and who they are trying to tear down. Nurses come and go here often.

I just cannot believe they are really picking at straws. No other of the new grads I started with have had verbal warnings for this type of stuff. Favoritism is big there.

The managers literally snoop around and pick on nurses, what is wrong, was wasn't done, etc...

I am more floored than anything, I cannot believe this.

grow up, take the criticism and learn from it.

great job & spot on ruby vee!!

Of course I must have an opinion on the situation, but I think it's clear that I already stated that I will and have learn from my issues. Not an issue, I love nursing and love to learn. I know for a fact others have not been written up at all and are given passes, why because I talk to my co-workers and they tell me what they have done and it hasn't been reprimanded.

As far as my focused assessment not being in a certain place it was there in the computerized chart, right below the area where it goes, but because of the limited space in charting, I decided to do a broad note and instead of looking at the entire note, she chose to look at one part of my note. Thus leading to the write up, although it was false, in fact they actually took back the first write up. That says alot to me.

My issue is not with discipline alone, my issue is when people tell me that they know plenty of people who haven't been written up for the same issue. I understand the discipline, but if you you really want to run a unit, discipline everyone who deserves to be disciplined. Life's not fair, and I am an adult, so the insinuations that I am a child need to end.

We all can learn a thing or two, or do a thing or two better on each shift, no nurse is perfect, no nurse is a machine. No that won't hold up in court, but it's the reality of it. Staff morale and fairness is important to running a successful unit, and if you are frequently bringing up what someone is doing wrong, how is that beneficial to you or your staff? I know for sure I'm not the only one with this issue where I work.

This is why nursing is so broken, and it should not be tolerated or swept under the rug.

Like I said I have never had any other major issues on the job, but it seems the few times I miss something it has to be brought up. I've drawn labs and documented beautifully (by their own admission) plenty times, so I know my work, this is not an issue of knowledge deficiency, though I've always accepted criticism, heck I welcome it, but I refuse to work under people whose main goal is to ''get you'' not all criticism comes from a ''constructive'' well meaning place, sometimes they just want to muddy a clean record.

"My issue is not with discipline alone, my issue is when people tell me that they know plenty of people who haven't been written up for the same issue. I understand the discipline, but if you you really want to run a unit, discipline everyone who deserves to be disciplined. Life's not fair, and I am an adult, so the insinuations that I am a child need to end."

You should just worry about yourself not getting disciplined. Why are you even talking about what discpline others are getting/not getting? How are you qualified to decide who deserves discplining?

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I guess my answer would be to worry about yourself only and quit worrying whether things are "fair". They aren't. Never have been. Never will be. The only outcome that affects YOU is your own. You can whine about unfairness all the way to the unemployment line; you'll still be unemployed.

I am confused in the original post by the references about how the patient didn't even decompensate. Does this mean the things you got coached on should only have been mentioned if there were a bad outcome? Otherwise no harm, no foul?

I have no idea if you are being targeted or if it is racially related as you mentioned before; my computer can't tell me your skin color or race. It can tell me that your main complaint is that others have not been talked to as you have.

Look at this way: You are in complete control here. Truly. You can't make anyone else do anything else. But you can make yourself do what you know you are supposed to. You can focus on what matters and you can choose to never again get written up for these infractions. As my darling mother used to say to me when I was a lot younger - even if everyone on earth is doing it (or failing to do it), that doesn't make it right. Sorry about your luck - Fate (or your skin color or your newness or your youth or whatever defining characteristic you want to focus on) has made it so YOU are going to be held to a standard. You can therefore meet that standard or you can search until you find a job that won't bother. Your choice.

I do wish you the best of luck.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
of course i must have an opinion on the situation, but i think it's clear that i already stated that i will and have learn from my issues. not an issue, i love nursing and love to learn. i know for a fact others have not been written up at all and are given passes, why because i talk to my co-workers and they tell me what they have done and it hasn't been reprimanded.

as far as my focused assessment not being in a certain place it was there in the computerized chart, right below the area where it goes, but because of the limited space in charting, i decided to do a broad note and instead of looking at the entire note, she chose to look at one part of my note. thus leading to the write up, although it was false, in fact they actually took back the first write up. that says alot to me.

my issue is not with discipline alone, my issue is when people tell me that they know plenty of people who haven't been written up for the same issue. i understand the discipline, but if you you really want to run a unit, discipline everyone who deserves to be disciplined. life's not fair, and i am an adult, so the insinuations that i am a child need to end.

we all can learn a thing or two, or do a thing or two better on each shift, no nurse is perfect, no nurse is a machine. no that won't hold up in court, but it's the reality of it. staff morale and fairness is important to running a successful unit, and if you are frequently bringing up what someone is doing wrong, how is that beneficial to you or your staff? i know for sure i'm not the only one with this issue where i work.

this is why nursing is so broken, and it should not be tolerated or swept under the rug.

like i said i have never had any other major issues on the job, but it seems the few times i miss something it has to be brought up. i've drawn labs and documented beautifully (by their own admission) plenty times, so i know my work, this is not an issue of knowledge deficiency, though i've always accepted criticism, heck i welcome it, but i refuse to work under people whose main goal is to ''get you'' not all criticism comes from a ''constructive'' well meaning place, sometimes they just want to muddy a clean record.

i really hoped you would learn from all of the good advice you got. sadly, it doesn't appear as if you get it. it doesn't matter what anyone else does or does not do, gets away with or does not get away with -- what matters is that you do the best you know how to do. someone is doing you a favor by auditing your charting and pointing out where you can improve. instead of taking it as constructive criticism -- which you could choose to do whether or not it is meant constructively -- you've chosen to take it as evidence of some sort of discrimination. i'm sorry you see it that way.

you may or may not know whether someone else is or has been reprimanded, disciplined, talked to or written up. if management is doing their job, you will not know. if you think you know because of what others are telling you, you're probably wrong. people will lie to you about that sort of thing, even your friends. even your spouse. you may even lie to yourself about it.

we can all learn a thing or two. even after 34 years, i still learn every day. it seems that you are choosing not to learn . . . . whether you like the way the message is delivered, and whether or not you see anyone else getting the same message, you've been given an opportunity to improve. use it.

I came here just to read Ruby Vee's answer.

She's very forthright.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i came here just to read ruby vee's answer.

she's very forthright.

i'm so flattered! but as you probably know, forthright isn't a very valued commodity these days!

i really wish i could help -- i ought to stop feeling like such a failure when someone chooses to interpret my responses as unhelpful, mean or whatever! either that or learn to be less forthright and maybe more warm and fuzzy. (nah -- i seem to be fuzzy-deficient!)

So on this second write up I'd just had enough. This time I had to have my delegate present. The delegate was peeved. She said do you know how many times this happens? You might as well write everyone up! She said she knew plenty of nurses that committed the same mistake and where was their write up, why weren't they sitting in the office as well?

It seems as though they love ''reviewing my charts'' and finding anything to bring up to me.

Now I understand being warned for something, but both patients NEVER decompensated, both were actually completely stable.

To be honest I just feel so terrible. I work in a crazy busy level 1 ER, where we get up to 14 patients sometimes, some of them being critical, intubated, hypotensive. Literally every shift I give 110%. I can understand if the patients decompensated, I'd take fully responsibility,but honestly I feel as though since I'm not a favorite of theirs, they try to ''get me'' you know?

This is the same place who gave new grad nurses (myself being one) only 2 weeks of unit training before throwing us on our own. I NEVER had anything major happen to a patient that was directly my fault, I've never suffered from the big mistakes a new grad can make working in a high pressure area, but yet it's as if they can still find something to slap in my face.

I am appauled at the way management treats there own nurses here. You get no credit, no respect, but if you do anything wrong, BAAM, like lightning they catch you. What kind of environment is this to work in?

I'm seeing more and more who they want to succeed and who they are trying to tear down. Nurses come and go here often.

I just cannot believe they are really picking at straws. No other of the new grads I started with have had verbal warnings for this type of stuff. Favoritism is big there.

The managers literally snoop around and pick on nurses, what is wrong, was wasn't done, etc...

I am more floored than anything, I cannot believe this.

i reread your post, most because another poster had mentioned discrimination?

first, your delegate isn't doing you any favors by stirring the pot...

and, s/he was dead wrong...documentation is critical in nsg, whether the outcome is positive or negative.

i cannot emphasize that enough.

just because you haven't had any neg outcomes w/your pts, does not mean other nurses haven't (with same pt).

and, in this highly litigious society, families/pts often sue.

should it ever go to court, it is the documentation (or its lack) that will either save or hang you.

as stated, the delegate or you do not know if someone has been warned.

do not make the mistake of believing all your coworkers say.

i would strongly suggest to seriously focus on you and you only.

yes, there's a lot of unjust bs in nsg...believe it because it's true.

it takes a lot of fortitude, thick skin, and determination to survive.

just continue and be your personal and professional best.

don't get involved in the grapevine/gossip mill.

don't talk about others, even if you believe your coworkers are your friends.

you're still too new to determine what they're thinking, and sadly, there are many backstabbers in the workplace.

no matter how petty you believe the criticism to be, you still need to do what's expected of you...no excuses.

and finally, do listen to the words of the experienced posters here.

listen to their message, w/o shooting the messenger. ;)

leslie

i really hoped you would learn from all of the good advice you got. sadly, it doesn't appear as if you get it. it doesn't matter what anyone else does or does not do, gets away with or does not get away with -- what matters is that you do the best you know how to do. someone is doing you a favor by auditing your charting and pointing out where you can improve. instead of taking it as constructive criticism -- which you could choose to do whether or not it is meant constructively -- you've chosen to take it as evidence of some sort of discrimination. i'm sorry you see it that way.

you may or may not know whether someone else is or has been reprimanded, disciplined, talked to or written up. if management is doing their job, you will not know. if you think you know because of what others are telling you, you're probably wrong. people will lie to you about that sort of thing, even your friends. even your spouse. you may even lie to yourself about it.

we can all learn a thing or two. even after 34 years, i still learn every day. it seems that you are choosing not to learn . . . . whether you like the way the message is delivered, and whether or not you see anyone else getting the same message, you've been given an opportunity to improve. use it.

like i have said, i agree and yes i do get it, as much as you think i don't get it. unfortunately you don't know my work environment or work situation, so you only know as much as i have told you, which leaves you without the entire picture. there is no way i won't take away something from this. i pride myself in growing as a nurse, but like i said and what you're ignoring is i believe aside from the ''construction criticism'' i feel there is ill intent in this for me. you're not seeing the entire picture, because i have other unrelated things that have happened to aide me in forming this conclusion, i'm not going off this situation alone. i need to learn from this and this is my vent, it is the culmination of stress, anxiety, wanting to be respected as an equal. i need to learn from this, i never said i was right.

maybe instead of just reading words, learn to read emotion. there's always more to a story than what's being told.

anyway thanks for the responses. i appreciate hearing all of it.

Specializes in ICU.

I'm sorry, but I agree with RubyVee.

I don't think they are out to get you. Those are legitimate write-ups. A verbal warning is a good thing, rather than taking it further.

Yes, people forget cardiac enzymes. It happens. But attention does need to be brought to it. The write up was valid. I think it is more the attitude of "well, did anything bad happen to the patient?" Well, what if you did find out the patient indeed had a set drawn way later and had a high troponin, needed to go to the cath lab or started on an integrillin gtt? So you were only wrong if something bad happened?

This is the real world. You're not perfect. The system is not perfect. Instead of thinking that these people are trying to get you, maybe see it as they are trying to help you.

Hell, some places have a one mistake and your out mentality, which is where you should be worried. You seem to have chances and verbal warnings.

Take them and learn from them. That will make you a better nurse. Go on with the out to get me, unfair" attitude, you won't learn.

Specializes in ICU.

as far as reading "emotion" I am feeling the new nurse arrogance in a certain way. I don't read and humbling emotion. But if it is what you say it is, i respect that.

But you did state "well, there were no adverse outcomes" Well, lucky for you and lucky for the patient.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Just a couple more thoughts:

"The patients didn't decompensate" ... this is NOT the bar of success, or the threshhold for appropriately thorough charting. Think carefully about what you're saying.

When I was a brand new nurse my wise preceptor told me something I've never forgotten: if/when a patient's chart is reviewed, it will never, ever matter what else was happening at the time, how many other patients you had, etc. That chart is the record of your care of that patient -- and it better reflect care in line with your own facility's policies and generally accepted standards of nursing and medical care.

If your ER is as you describe I feel badly for you. Practices such as only 2 weeks of orientation and the nurse-patient ratios you describe are totally out of line with ENA recommendations, trauma standards, and basic common sense. I have worked in two different Level I trauma centers and while I can tell you plenty of hair-raising stories, I have never had nor have I ever seen anyone else have more than 7 patients at one time. I can imagine how shell-shocked you are -- you were probably proud and excited to have gotten this job. My advice: start looking to leave now, before you hurt someone.

Good luck to you.

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