Need y'all's opinion please

biker nurse · Jun 17, 2007

WoW.. I don't know what to tell you. Maybe talk to your supervisor. Good Luck!!

Jolie, BSN · Jun 17, 2007

I understand and admire your sense of duty to your current co-workers, but I don't think you going to administration is a good idea.

If the manager has demonstrated true (clinical) incompetence, then perhaps an anonymous report (regarding specific incidents) to the BON is in order. If her incompetence is limited to her managerial duties, there is really nothing that can be done.

zozzy777 · Jun 17, 2007

I'm a travel nurse, and one of the up sides to doing this is not getting caught up in all the political BS that goes on behind the scenes...
Well. I've been approached by a majority of the regular nursing staff here practically begging me to go to administration when my contract is up and report the manager as incompetent.
"Incompetent" is an understatement. IMO, this person has no business being a nurse, much less a manager. I've had some poor managers before, but this one is beyond anything I've ever experienced.
I really feel for these nurses. They are great, and their complaints are valid. There are several reasons why they feel they cannot accomplish this on their own. First of all, the manager's direct supervisor is a close relative, and (I swear I'm not making this up) the manager has told her staff that because of this, she will have a job LONG after they're gone and so much as stated to them that going up the ladder (meaning to her relation) would result in THEM being reprimanded/fired.
Second, this is the only hospital system in the area. They have no where else to go unless they want to sell their homes, uproot their kids and move out of the area.
Third, this hospital's policy is if one is written up, for any reason, the person must remain on that unit for one year. And these people are being written up for crazy crap, so they have no option to transfer off the floor.
An unspoken expectation of my job is not to 'rock the boat'.
But I am seriously considering doing as they ask. These women are coming in and leaving in tears, shaking, stressed out like nothing I've ever experienced in nearly 24 years of nursing. I really feel for them. The manager is truly a nutcase, has no business being a leader, and needs to be removed.
I'd appreciate any input.
Thanks.

I have been a traveler for many years and have had some similiar incidences. I have always stood up for what I believe in even if it means getting involved with the politics of a particular place. If you speak up, things may or may not change. But if you don't, things definitely won't. If you speak after your assignment is done, you have nothing to lose. Yes, I agree it sucks getting into the politics, but if you can change things for the others even a little, wouldn't that be worth the risk of getting involved? Good luck!!:balloons:

jojotoo, RN · Jun 17, 2007

NO! NO! NO! Do NOT become involved in the internal politics of this hospital. You will only put yourself in jeopardy for future assignments with your company AND you may put that company at risk for placing nurses at that hospital in the future. I was a traveler for over 12 years, so I do have some experience wth this.

I find it kind of ironic that your peers are willing to risk YOUR future, but that they don't have enough gumption to stand up for themselves.

The only exception to this would be if the manager was a DIRECT danger to patients because of, or lack of, clinical skill, substance abuse, etc. It would have to be something that is definitely reportable to the BON. Being a bad or unfair manager isn't.

If you decide that you want to become involved in this, you should absolutely talk to the risk management person at your travel company - not your recruiter.

Good luck.

kwagner_51 · Jun 17, 2007

I say do all nurses everywhere PLEASE go over her head to the DON. Document everything you see and hear. Tell the DON that the hospital may be in danger of becoming like King-Harbor in California.

As the old saying goes, " For evil to grow, it takes good people to ignore the evil" paraphrased.

Are you planning on working at that hospital in the future?

Please take a stand against the rot that is taking place in that hospital!!

Thanks!

zozzy777 · Jun 17, 2007

NO! NO! NO! Do NOT become involved in the internal politics of this hospital. You will only put yourself in jeopardy for future assignments with your company AND you may put that company at risk for placing nurses at that hospital in the future. I was a traveler for over 12 years, so I do have some experience wth this.
I find it kind of ironic that your peers are willing to risk YOUR future, but that they don't have enough gumption to stand up for themselves.
The only exception to this would be if the manager was a DIRECT danger to patients because of, or lack of, clinical skill, substance abuse, etc. It would have to be something that is definitely reportable to the BON. Being a bad or unfair manager isn't.
If you decide that you want to become involved in this, you should absolutely talk to the risk management person at your travel company - not your recruiter.
Good luck.

I totally disagree with this! :angryfire If nurses just turn a blind eye, then nothing changes. That is why things get as bad as they do sometimes. Just because you are a traveler does not mean you don't care!! I did an assignment in a surgical ICU in CT and was there for 1 year. I ended up going straight up the ladder talking to all the major surgery department heads and DON about the working conditions in their surgical ICU. No one treated me badly and things eventually got better on the unit. Sometimes the staff nurses need some help from an outsider to stick up for themselves. They obviously have very good reasons to be afraid!! I strongly encourage you to speak for the nurses and the patients!!

Oh, and you will not ruin things with your company. The company doesn't care about stuff like that. Especially if you are done with your assignment.

EmmaG, RN · Jun 17, 2007

NO! NO! NO! Do NOT become involved in the internal politics of this hospital. You will only put yourself in jeopardy for future assignments with your company AND you may put that company at risk for placing nurses at that hospital in the future. I was a traveler for over 12 years, so I do have some experience wth this.
I find it kind of ironic that your peers are willing to risk YOUR future, but that they don't have enough gumption to stand up for themselves.
The only exception to this would be if the manager was a DIRECT danger to patients because of, or lack of, clinical skill, substance abuse, etc. It would have to be something that is definitely reportable to the BON. Being a bad or unfair manager isn't.
If you decide that you want to become involved in this, you should absolutely talk to the risk management person at your travel company - not your recruiter.
Good luck.

That is what I'm worried about (putting myself and company at risk). As far as the staff nurses not having the cojones to step up, from what I've seen that has done no good. The manager's relation has deflected and protected her with the higher ups. As far as her clinical skills go, I am not impressed. She hasn't done much when she is "on the floor", but from what I"ve seen, she is not a good nurse either.

Her MO is to play 'gotcha' with her targets. Shadows them, literally up in their face for hours on end, trying to find ANYTHING wrong. I've seen her work all day, and stay until 5 am to do this with the night crew.

Tried that crap on me last week; came up telling me that a patient didn't have anything in their water pitcher. Proceeded to blast me in front of God and everyone. I just waited until she was done and calmly told her the patient was NPO (signage on the walls to that effect too lol).

If she can't find anything to write them up over, she makes stuff up. And then marches up to them, demanding they come to her office. It's so bad that the staff call the hospital police to accompany them to see her.

Unbelievable...

Good idea about the risk manager. I will call this week and discuss the issue with her. I hate not to do anything at all, but I'm thinking my hands are probably tied...

I really feel bad for these people. They are an EXCELLENT staff in spite of this nutcase.

Thanks for the responses. Any objective opinions are welcome. As it is, I'm coming up on 24 hours awake, and am a bit ... uh ... fuzzy

Midwest4me · Jun 17, 2007

It sounds as though you are a truly caring nurse and this is distressing you! Yes, go to administration; do it anonymously if you must.

EmmaG, RN · Jun 17, 2007

It sounds as though you are a truly caring nurse and this is distressing you! Yes, go to administration; do it anonymously if you must.

It is distressing. I'm counting the days 'til my contract is finished. I've even had migraines, and that hasn't happened in years...

I had a long talk with one of the regular staff this morning. As she was speaking, describing what they've been through, she started to shake. It was so damned sad.

And even though they are wonderful, caring nurses, this has GOT to affect patient care.

EmmaG, RN · Jun 17, 2007

Jojo, I understand where you're coming from here. And that is why I posted this, to get opinions and advice from an objective viewpoint. I just wish there were a way to help these nurses

Dolce, RN · Jun 17, 2007

When I had problems with a facility I was staffing as an agency nurse I spoke with the agency about it. Your travel agency needs to have a heads-up about this woman and her management skills because they often have the clout to speak with hospital administration about it. Even if your travel agency doesn't vouch for you, at least letting them know ahead of time will give them warning. I would let the travel agency know that you plan on speaking with this woman when your assignment is up. Even if nothing gets accomplished right away at least you are getting the ball rolling for an eventual take-down of this woman.