I was going through a 32-year-old journal I kept during what was one of the most trying yet rewarding periods of my life and nursing career.
I was working at township hospital in the inpatient CD treatment program, which was extremely well-structured. There were guidelines for the staff, such as the team concept, open communication, no gossiping, etc. It was the healthiest environment that I worked in my career.
In my journal, I mentioned that one of the therapists had been terminated and the matter was openly discussed with the director. Although details were not discussed, the therapist had been terminated for going outside of professional boundaries with a patient, something like he had asked a patient out for a date once she had been discharged.
My memory is murky, but it seems that one of the rules of the program was to have no alliances, either personal or business, with a patient until six months after they had been discharged. I don't precisely recall, but the rule is not imperative to what I wish to convey and the question that I want to pose.
As we staff were a community and had relatively close relationships with each other, to lose a coworker was troubling. The director gave us the reason for the therapist's termination. I understood the director did what he had to do, and for his openness and honesty- along with a multitude of other reasons- I felt comfort and respect toward him.
That's the only time in my nursing career that I was privy to the reason for a coworker's termination that wasn't hearsay or gossip. Every other time administration refused to go beyond "So and so doesn't work here anymore".
We all know that those in charge tend to convey that they know what's best for everyone involved and it's usually far from the truth of the matter, when on fact, secrecy and honor among thieves is pro quo.
What do you think? In your opinion, did the director do the right thing? Or should we have been kept in the dark, as was the case for the next 30+ years that I worked in nursing?
And yes nowadays we are kept in the dark but I don’t necessarily agree that it’s because we want to focus on the negatives, I think a lot of people feel powerless. Mgmt and some of the powers that be has made people feel not valued and replaceable. It’s hard to challenge the status quo when you have responsibilities…
PEOPLE! Focusing on what is consensually believed to be a wrong clouds our vision to that which is right! It is a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water!
You asked this: What do you think? In your opinion, did the director do the right thing? Or should we have been kept in the dark, as was the case for the next 30+ years that I worked in nursing?
You pretty much lead us to where we should focus our attention and lecture us for being negative because some of us didn't answer to your liking. Fair enough, you're allowed, but I'm calling you out anyway.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
8 minutes ago, Tweety said:
You pretty much lead us to where we should focus our attention and lecture us for being negative because some of us didn't answer to your liking. Fair enough, you're allowed, but I'm calling you out anyway.
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HiddenAngels
1,085 Posts
And yes nowadays we are kept in the dark but I don’t necessarily agree that it’s because we want to focus on the negatives, I think a lot of people feel powerless. Mgmt and some of the powers that be has made people feel not valued and replaceable. It’s hard to challenge the status quo when you have responsibilities…