Keep having to meet with my boss :(

[RN617]

I've been on the floor (telemetry) for well over a year now and I generally feel very comfortable, but I feel like I keep making mistakes and I need to meet with my manager. For example, I forgot to post a telemetry strip and have to meet with the boss about it. One time I didn't change a dressing (that I really didn't know I was supposed to change, the MD was in the room and asked for supplies for it at 6am and I had wrongfully assumed he was changing it--I had planned on doing it myself after he went in but got tied up with another patient and didn't check to make sure it was done) and had to meet with my manager once again. I generally like my job but I'm getting really upset about this. I repeatedly have to fix day shifts' errors but I feel as if I'm the only one getting called out on very small mistakes!

I don't want to lose my job over small things, but I feel as if every 3-4 months or so something else comes up. I try so hard all the time and have a good relationship with my patients. I'm not really sure what I'm asking here, but maybe just some encouragement that I'm not the worst nurse of all time, because sometimes I think I should quit and move into something I don't want to do, but where I can't make mistakes all the time.

[krisiepoo]

it sounds very frustrating for you... one thing I'd mention, you don't know if anyone else is getting talked to... those mistakes you're fixing, perhaps they're getting talked to but you don't know about it

If you don't like your job, find a new one. I personally don't think once every 3-4 months is really that big of a deal, though and if you're learning from it all then it's not a bad thing, right?

[kungpoopanda]

The trouble is, some managers have a very nasty way of making minor issues seem serious. I had one that had this mumsy "I'm really diasppointed in you" act that just about everyone fell for. People were terrified of her, yet someone pushed back, she folded.

sorry I can't be more help, but there are some appalling managers out there who should never have been considered for the position.

[nichefinder]

they call you into the office for not posting up strips or not changing a dressing for a day?? sounds like you have a micro-managing, punitive manager. I have a nice manager and will not call stupid things like that (personal opinion). If you forget to report critical results, occurence reports, or such a bad attitude that everyone is complaining to manager, then it's different story, but having to call you into office for miniscule things like that seems pretty absurd.

[VANurse2010]

they call you into the office for not posting up strips or not changing a dressing for a day?? sounds like you have a micro-managing, punitive manager. I have a nice manager and will not call stupid things like that (personal opinion). If you forget to report critical results, occurence reports, or such a bad attitude that everyone is complaining to manager, then it's different story, but having to call you into office for miniscule things like that seems pretty absurd.

Agreed. I'm not saying it's "OK" she did these things, but on the "let's talk in my office" ... seriously?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

... but I feel like I keep making mistakes and I need to meet with my manager. ...

Semantics matter - so your words here concern me a bit.

I don't think it's the case that you *feel like* these things are happening -- it appears to be fact that they have actually occurred. Tele strip was not posted. Dressing was not changed.

Now. Then ... you are in a place to make a judgement about the relative seriousness of the occurrences that your manager is discussing with you and whether or not you place the same value on these events as she does. Does she have conversations with all staff about instances that seem equal in importance or lack of importance? Is there a pattern? Are your judgements about prioritization of nursing care in line with those of your peers? Is your manager a PITA to the extent that it impedes your productivity at this job? Is your manager just taking a less-than-exemplary route to trying to tighten up documentation in preparation for a regulatory survey?

After acknowledging and taking ownership of the events that have occurred ... then you as a professional can decide what action, if any, you need to take.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

If these "talks" with your boss are truly warranted, learn from your mistakes and move on. If she is being nit-picky, find a new job before you find yourself without one.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Keep in mind that other nurses may be getting called into the office over similar matters, and you won't necessarily know about it.

The other thing to think about is whether there's a pattern to these mistakes you're making. Is it always something you've forgotten or neglected to do? You may want to think about a scut sheet to help you plan and organize your day or some other sort of "mind tickler" to remind you what you need to get done.