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.
Let us know what comes of this. I would like to think that this situation can come to end for these nurses. I hope it gives others confidence that it IS possible to solve a seemingly unsolvable problem.
I will; but I won't know the outcome for some time. I have 3 more weeks here, and I am going to collect as much info on the situation as I can before I call. And speak to my risk manager as well. I'll keep in touch with the staff here so I'll know the outcome.
I found out last night that her latest target --- the night charge nurse who has been there longer than anyone, including the manager --- was suspended by this kook because a patient fell while she was in charge. I know of the situation; the nurse did everything 'by the book'. The patient was not injured and the staff did nothing negligent to cause this to happen.
Be cautious about being used as a mouthpiece. If you are going to speak up make sure you go into the meeting with letters from your fellow nurses in hand. There is nothing worse, or more common than to stick your neck out for a group and have no one back you up. If they are all afraid of the consequences of speaking up they may not be ready to speak when you need them.
RNOTODAY, BSN, RN
1,116 Posts
What types of "issues" are we talking about here re: the manager? That would guide my advice...