I work on a great unit - or at least, it was great until recently. I have an intelligent, competent nurse manager. I graduated in December, and have had a nice, long, orientation with a wonderful preceptor. Prior to graduation, I worked on this unit for about a year as a student nurse tech.
We have 2 employees that hired on in March, a couple of weeks apart. One is a new grad, the other is an experienced nurse. They seem to have a lot in common, and became friends right off the bat, which is wonderful. One is male, the other female, so of course the rumors started to fly. Whatever. None of my business. I tried to stay out of it.
One day, their 15 minute break turned into 20 minutes. Nobody said anything. 20 turned into 25. You get the idea. At 45 minutes one day, I "tattled". Yep. That's me. 30 year old tattle tale! It was a mess. She is very confrontational; wanted to know why I didn't go to her. I had, but she had forgotten. He didn't particularly care. He is laid back to the point of being lazy. He's just along for the ride.
The other day, an aide caught them kissing in a patient's room. A nurse walked in on them making out in the breakroom. I saw them (their feet, anyway) behind a curtain. . . standing very close to each other. He'll call the desk from his cell phone while he's in a patient's room and ask to speak to her if they're not working on the same team. He gives a phony name.
She is the new grad. ANM has talked to her about professionalism a couple of times. She straightens up and flies right for a few days. He has been talked to as well. It just rolls off him like water off a duck's back.
The nurse manager says she can't do anything unless someone comes forward and says they saw them kissing in front of the patients. I didn't technically see them, only heard them and saw their feet. NM says that's not proof!?! Others won't step forward or even mention their long breaks anymore because she is confrontational to the point of being a bully. And now, my NM says they are being picked on because they're minorities, which they brought to her attention.
So. . . now what? Now everybody is pretty much miserable. Nobody gets along anymore, everybody is choosing sides. Charge nurses have a hell of a time making assignments because there's so many people that can't get a long with them even for the sake of taking care of patients. My NM is acting like she's scared or something. They're driving me crazy!!!
there are legal reasons that two attached/related persons should not be working on the same unit.....any problems arise, their honesty is going to be in question.....which may already be an issue here.....
ok, just to be clear. how exactly does this affect you? i can understand being upset about the extended breaks if you are watching her group. i personally, don't care what anyone does. i get my work done. i don't time other people's breaks. i'm too busy doing my job to know what other people are doing. so again, how does this affect you and getting your work done?
I see your point, however, what I find really sad about your statement is all the i's. Have you heard the saying, there is no "i" in team work and sadly that is what is lacking in nursing today, fair enough, these 2 nurses pashing behind the corner may have time to spare, obviously, but what about the other nurses who may be struggling with their load. That is how it effects her. I was always taught that when you are quite, go and help elsewhere, and leave the stubble rash for outside work hours.
So has anyone went above the nm. Seems to me if she doesn't want to address the problem then someone above needs to. When your charge, pay attention to break times, if you notice that it exceeds the time limit, give a warning, then a write up. There is no reason for everyone on the team to have to put up with 2 people who aren't putting in the same 100%
I work on a dementia unit, and we do team nursing. 2 partners to a day room, with 10-15 patients. 3 day rooms. 1 staff member must be in the room at all times for patient safety. So - even if I am just passing meds, I may get stuck in a day room because his or her partner must leave to go get supplies, shower a patient, whatever. I can't leave until one of the love birds gets back. So when I'm done with my med pass, I must wait around for someone to come back so I can leave. It puts me behind. Happens to every med nurse. If they're MY partner, I have to wait until they get back to help me on max assist patients, or whatever. Again, it puts me behind. When I'm in charge, I must make sure that their patients get fluid rounds, and make sure the work is getting done so I don't end up with a roomful of patients with BUNs in the 50's because they're kissing behind the curtain instead of taking care of our patients. I want EVERYBODY's work to get done - which is making sure the patients are taken care of.
ok, i see how that would create a bad work environment. yeah, i would complain to!
Tell the male nurse "Get your tongue out of her mouth and take care of your patients'.
morte, LPN, LVN
7,015 Posts
there are legal reasons that two attached/related persons should not be working on the same unit.....any problems arise, their honesty is going to be in question.....which may already be an issue here.....