So in 15 years of nursing I've had many evaluations of my abilities as a nurse. What has kind of just started making me laugh is that when it gets to the critique part this is constantly what I get told (other than my constant bad habit of being 1-3 minutes late), "We can see that you care a great deal about your position and your patients, but..,,,1) try to focus on small goals. 2) be willing to let others help you more. 3) ensure that you ask for help when you are overwhelmed. 4) try to delegate more often.
My inner voice just laughs. Um, isn't caring what you pay me to do? Are you trying to say my constant complaints about the lack of organization in your organization are "caring too much"?! Well the boo *** hoo, that's on you dumb butts. 1) I WOULD LOVE TO FOCUS On SMALL GOALS! But when you come to work and 30 minutes in you already have people telling you all the alarms that are going off, small goals go out the window...it is just me constantly trying to put out fires, there are no goals other than hopefully no one gets killed or hurt.
2) I would LOVE it if other people helped me. But when their vwrsion of "help" is to see me drowning and to walk up to while I'm overwhelmed to see what they can do...well not super helpful. I can read orders and just start doing them...why can't other people? Just getting in there and helping is helpful....asking if you can is just a time suck.
3) Asking for help when I am overwhelmed....well I have. And the charge is usually "to busy to get to it just then (or ever)” "I can try to help in awhile if YOU haven't managed to get to it before then.” So why do I even ask. Or I ask a CNA that "hasn't been shown how to do that yet". (Good CNAs deserve nurse pay.) So why even waste my time asking?
4) Try to delegate....see my answer #3.
It just cracks me up! So your criticism of me is that I care and I'm tired of being abused? Huh, such a bad nurse I am (eye roll like a teenager.) Just shut up and give me a decent raise.
Same here about getting there "early", which is not that early but works for me. And yes, the NICU is different. But I do prefer when someone asked me if they can do such and such. I can say or no depending on the situation. I often just felt when I was overwhelmed, it was because I lost track of things…(not All things ). And had situations where what I asked for help with, was refused. Oh, I'm not comfortable with that. Or, sorry I don't have the time for that.
whatever...we all just do the best we can.
OP, I am also a "just do it, dammit" nurse. But then I realized that the same issues that make me feel overwhelmed are what piss me off when someone asks if they can help. If I had the mental resources to think about what I need someone to do, I'd have the time to do it myself. The chaos of multitasking takes away your brainpower to identify tasks and delegate. Maybe that's just me, probably different brains react differently.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
TonyaMarie said:
I bet you would do well as a leader. Yes you'd probably be frustrated having to juggle different moods, attitudes, and requests. I've been a manager before and the most difficult part was trying to balance numerous staff requests with the needs and responsibilities of the job. Leadership is a thankless job. Then you have the regulatory agencies (Joint Commission, etc.), quality improvement projects, metrics, and other demands from upper management.
Frontline management is particularly hard because they get staff complaints, patient complaints, and doctor complaints. Many are on call 24 hrs. Leaders are people too. They have sick spouses, sick kids, sick parents, their own health problems but they check all that in at the door, put on the big girl/big boy draws and go to work and they hope the staff will do the same. They know that there are staffing problems. They know how hard the job is. I've been in healthcare 31 years and have only had one bad manager who was fired by the director. I may not have liked all of my leaders (personality wise), and I disagreed with some of their decisions, but I had good work BFFs at all of my jobs and we got the job done.
Leadership IS a thankless job....like nursing. But I guess that would be the thing that kills me. Is there any real reason only 1 person has to be the manager? Is there any real reason they need to be on call 24 hours a day and miss valuable time with their kids and family. I would argue that lower management just as ridiculously overworked as a floor RN. The pay must be fantastic because really, I can't see the plus side of being a manager or supervisor. What I see, over and over, is upper management who worked the floor for 2 years, 40 years ago, trying to rely on us "the staff" to come up with a solution to all the problems. Like being on a hung jury, when you keep coming up with the same answer: hire and train more people; the boss just keeps sending back to you that you have to come up with a different answer. Then does something stupid and sideways, like buys robots to roll around and deliver things in the hospital...kicker is that they also have to pay someone to follow the robot around in case it fails. ????.
I frankly don't understand why managers put up with this sort of stupid. The staff know it is stupid. It is just many many signs that healthcare is a cash cow instead of a noble profession. And so the evaluation criticism, because they have nothing bad to say, is that I care to much and I could do more if I didn't get distracted on caring for patients.? This 'criticism' isn't because I'm mismanaging my time and not able to help others on my team. It's because they can't flip beds faster to make a better profit....but I should...or management should be self sacrificing, work extra, help out the team, be a noble employee for what again?? Nope.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
canoehead said:
OP, I am also a "just do it, dammit" nurse. But then I realized that the same issues that make me feel overwhelmed are what piss me off when someone asks if they can help. If I had the mental resources to think about what I need someone to do, I'd have the time to do it myself. The chaos of multitasking takes away your brainpower to identify tasks and delegate. Maybe that's just me, probably different brains react differently.
I feel that statement is dead on really. Multitasking isn't real. Practice lets you do many linear tasks quickly and therefore may look like multitasking, but it isn't. When changes are happening every week, policies changing quarterly or more, no one can do a good job. And I've started to believe this is on purpose, so that the licensed nurse can be held liable for not following policy and therefore the failure isn't the institution's fault. Scapegoats.
Definitely, on the changing policies. We must work at the same place. I've looked up policies multiple times and found nothing, and had the nurse manager pull something up saying she searched a different word and found I wasn't compliant. The OR vrs ER policies on sedation are different, for example.
I left my job, that didn't allow me to think. I suggest you think about whether you want to live under this much stress.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
canoehead said:
Definitely, on the changing policies. We must work at the same place. I've looked up policies multiple times and found nothing, and had the nurse manager pull something up saying she searched a different word and found I wasn't compliant. The OR vrs ER policies on sedation are different, for example.
I left my job, that didn't allow me to think. I suggest you think about whether you want to live under this much stress.
I don't. I just don't know how else to support my husband and kid.
I feel that statement is dead on really. Multitasking isn't real. Practice lets you do many linear tasks quickly and therefore may look like multitasking, but it isn't. When changes are happening every week, policies changing quarterly or more, no one can do a good job. And I've started to believe this is on purpose, so that the licensed nurse can be held liable for not following policy and therefore the failure isn't the institution's fault. Scapegoats.
In the ER, the charge nurse will literally kick out a patient in a room to put a more unstable patient. Who is the patient going to look at why they are getting out of the room. The nurse. I understand there are more unstable patients, but if you can't take care of the patients you have, then stop accepting patients. That is the charge nurses (thus a part of the management 'team') job to speak up.
OP, I am also a "just do it, dammit" nurse. But then I realized that the same issues that make me feel overwhelmed are what piss me off when someone asks if they can help. If I had the mental resources to think about what I need someone to do, I'd have the time to do it myself. The chaos of multitasking takes away your brainpower to identify tasks and delegate. Maybe that's just me, probably different brains react differently.
Yep! Same for me. If someone has the time to look at my orders and specifically asks, "Would it help you if I gave Rm. Blank, their 1600 meds?” That is perfect.
Leadership IS a thankless job....like nursing. But I guess that would be the thing that kills me. Is there any real reason only 1 person has to be the manager? Is there any real reason they need to be on call 24 hours a day and miss valuable time with their kids and family. I would argue that lower management just as ridiculously overworked as a floor RN. The pay must be fantastic because really, I can't see the plus side of being a manager or supervisor. What I see, over and over, is upper management who worked the floor for 2 years, 40 years ago, trying to rely on us "the staff" to come up with a solution to all the problems. Like being on a hung jury, when you keep coming up with the same answer: hire and train more people; the boss just keeps sending back to you that you have to come up with a different answer. Then does something stupid and sideways, like buys robots to roll around and deliver things in the hospital...kicker is that they also have to pay someone to follow the robot around in case it fails. ????.
I frankly don't understand why managers put up with this sort of stupid. The staff know it is stupid. It is just many many signs that healthcare is a cash cow instead of a noble profession. And so the evaluation criticism, because they have nothing bad to say, is that I care to much and I could do more if I didn't get distracted on caring for patients.? This 'criticism' isn't because I'm mismanaging my time and not able to help others on my team. It's because they can't flip beds faster to make a better profit....but I should...or management should be self sacrificing, work extra, help out the team, be a noble employee for what again?? Nope.
OMG! I agree with ALL your points and have had the same experiences over the years and most recently. You said it all!
I worked as a staff nurse for almost 30 years, then went into a director's position. There was no nurse In administration when I got there. It was a disaster. Leadership was sorely needed. I learned the hard way. Listen, learn, react and follow through. Not always easy. Sometimes I was the one who had to cover a nurse's load until I could hire another appropriate nurse. I also did many On-Calls. I was on the job 24/7 and felt it. I was salary, so it didn't make any difference how long I worked. I also supervised the Behaviorists, Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professionals and Family Care. I worked hard to make the staff I supervised feel supported and appreciated. I met monthly with anyone I supervised and went over their concerns and any concerns I may have. When a staff went into their evaluation they were never surprised. I consider an evaluation a living document that is always being updated and discussed. Being a director can be rewarding, but be ready to put your heart into it and your time. I had 1 administrative assistant. When I took on Residential along with Clinical I had 2 Assistant Directors. One for Residential and one for Clinical.. They were fabulous helping me get monthly supervisory meetings and notes done. I made sure Evaluations were always done on time. I returned my phone calls and emails. These are all very time consuming and I don't think I came home on time more than 1 day a week. If I didn't get it done at work, I brought it home/ policies, procedures, check nursing trainings and so much more. I slowly diminished my responsibilities after about 13 years at my last job and started giving small pieces away in anticipation of my retirement . Stopped at 17 1/2 years
I let those I supervised know that I was there if they needed me and they did not abuse the offer because when they really needed me, I came. If they were right about something and was getting flack from someone else, I was there for them.
Yes, management can rot and so can being on the other end and not feeling listened to. I've been on that other side with the numerous problems that come with the job. I explained when I could not do something for nursing kand was absolutely honest with staff. It makes it easier when the whole team understands where we stand, instead of weaving a story to make everyone happy. Everyone is not always going to be happy.
Be at work on time. It is a picture of your professionalism and believe me , it is noticed by supervisors and co-workers. If you need help ask then and tell them how they can help. Most nurses will not just dive in and assist without some sort of guidance (report). I hope things go well for you, I really do. I was that late nurse for my first 2 years of work until a peer set me straight. I am glad she did.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
Gratefulbutnotstupid said:
I worked as a staff nurse for almost 30 years, then went into a director's position. There was no nurse In administration when I got there. It was a disaster. Leadership was sorely needed. I learned the hard way. Listen, learn, react and follow through. Not always easy. Sometimes I was the one who had to cover a nurse's load until I could hire another appropriate nurse. I also did many On-Calls. I was on the job 24/7 and felt it. I was salary, so it didn't make any difference how long I worked. I also supervised the Behaviorists, Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professionals and Family Care. I worked hard to make the staff I supervised feel supported and appreciated. I met monthly with anyone I supervised and went over their concerns and any concerns I may have. When a staff went into their evaluation they were never surprised. I consider an evaluation a living document that is always being updated and discussed. Being a director can be rewarding, but be ready to put your heart into it and your time. I had 1 administrative assistant. When I took on Residential along with Clinical I had 2 Assistant Directors. One for Residential and one for Clinical.. They were fabulous helping me get monthly supervisory meetings and notes done. I made sure Evaluations were always done on time. I returned my phone calls and emails. These are all very time consuming and I don't think I came home on time more than 1 day a week. If I didn't get it done at work, I brought it home/ policies, procedures, check nursing trainings and so much more. I slowly diminished my responsibilities after about 13 years at my last job and started giving small pieces away in anticipation of my retirement . Stopped at 17 1/2 years
I let those I supervised know that I was there if they needed me and they did not abuse the offer because when they really needed me, I came. If they were right about something and was getting flack from someone else, I was there for them.
Yes, management can rot and so can being on the other end and not feeling listened to. I've been on that other side with the numerous problems that come with the job. I explained when I could not do something for nursing kand was absolutely honest with staff. It makes it easier when the whole team understands where we stand, instead of weaving a story to make everyone happy. Everyone is not always going to be happy.
Be at work on time. It is a picture of your professionalism and believe me , it is noticed by supervisors and co-workers. If you need help ask then and tell them how they can help. Most nurses will not just dive in and assist without some sort of guidance (report). I hope things go well for you, I really do. I was that late nurse for my first 2 years of work until a peer set me straight. I am glad she did.
Specializes in Surgical Specialty Clinic - Ambulatory Care.
Gratefulbutnotstupid,
Thank you for your response. I am glad you found satisfaction in what you were doing as an administrator to basically have no life of your own for 13+ years. I, however, find that ridiculous. You sound like you were a dedicated leader and I'm very sure your team appreciated you for the most part. I will however call *** on the fact that you should have ever been put in a position at all. I can pretty much bet every time you were "working the floor" you were also working your administration job...because they just bleed together...and I don't care what you try to sell me, you can't do both well at the same time. You did what was necessary to ensure your residents got what they needed. That is what nurses DO. None of us are strangers to this concept, what floor nurse do you know that regularly gets to have breaks, eats, or pees at work? I would say it is rare that a nurse WOULDN'T sacrifice his/herself for the benefit of their patients and co-workers. What I'm saying is that the profit margin of the 'investors' is not conservative by any means. They could have made sure you had more than ample support so you could regularly be at home with your family? Surely there was something you must have found valuable in missing all that time with your family and loved ones? Was the salary that good? Because, I'm sorry, I do not find great value in spending gobs of my time helping others at the expense of precious moments with my own family. Or being with my family but being to exhausted to participate in my own life/family. That work life balance for leadership is STUPID and counter productive...but it probably is much cheaper than any alternative. I honestly feel that that work/life balance is why managers expect that in some small sense of their employees too, and again, the only thing we have proof of is that we get one shot at life. So what does my employer do that is so wonderful that I should be that dedicated? My employer would drop me in a heartbeat if they had to....actually I saw exactly that happen to a bunch of outpatient nurses during the pandemic.
Also, my employer can notice me being late and cry me a river. In 15 years of nursing there has probably been less than 20 shifts where I got out early or on time....or got my lunch. So please tell me why I have to be worried about clocking in 1-2 minutes late? Professionalism? A word that has no definition but to the person who is trying to use it. Professionalism means entirely different things to different managers, much less the part of the country you live in or the area you work. Punctuality alone an arbitrary measure. When placed in context of 20-30 days of 2-3 minutes tardy AFTER shifts you can easily see that I gave up my lunch and 30 or more minutes of my evening.? PUH-Leeze. You have a tinsy winsy point that the off going shift doesn't deserve to be late, but I work in a clinic at my current job...there is no shift to relieve. There are just 9 surgeons having clinic as they please, regardless of my lunch or my clock out time.
Sigh, I really wish I could see some value in being in management because I don't see my next step in nursing. I almost think my next career goal is to go work at COSTCO or Starbucks. I'd rather stay at home with my 3 year old and my husband any day than go to work. Sure I like people, and I feel good about serving my community, but not more than I value my time at home. And sadly, I don't really find myself having admiration or respect for those who do. I more often see them as over worked, resentful, out of touch, shallow, and money hungry. I did not use to see it that way, but 15 years in the field has made it so.
BeenThere2012, ASN, RN
863 Posts
Same here about getting there "early", which is not that early but works for me. And yes, the NICU is different. But I do prefer when someone asked me if they can do such and such. I can say or no depending on the situation. I often just felt when I was overwhelmed, it was because I lost track of things…(not All things ). And had situations where what I asked for help with, was refused. Oh, I'm not comfortable with that. Or, sorry I don't have the time for that.
whatever...we all just do the best we can.