Nepotism, anyone?

[AngelfireRN]

OK, so, long story short, the clinic where I work features the doc's DD as the OM, the doc's DS as receptionist, and two of PM/DD's close friends as med assistant and referral gal, respectively.

I want advice, y'all.

I hate to come across as a whinytail that just wants to scream about the injustice of it all, but I'm about at the end of my rope.

So, to start, I agreed to a lower starting salary, as we only work 4 days per week, and was told "This is JUST a starting point." Doc was leery of hiring an NP, and a former employee had just robbed the practice of around $50K. I accepted that. Well, fast forward 9 months, no raise. Not even the mention of one. I paid for my own CEUs, and when I asked OM if the practice would consider going in half on my malpractice insurance, I got a continual "I'll ask Daddy." followed by "I forgot." until it was due and had to be paid.

Due in most to my time-management skills, we have added approximately one new patient to the practice per day for the last 6 months. This, naturally, has increased the income of the practice. There's even talk about hiring a part-timer to help with clerical duties. I've also databased the wait list and the closet full of charts of patients who are either deceased or have been dismissed. All available at the click of a mouse. Still no mention of any upgrade from my 'starting point' salary, which, for an NP, frankly sucks.

I have little to no recourse over things that are not to par or even to my liking, due to the family dynamic. For example (and this will sound petty), the computer situation. Back in the glory days, as I'll call them, we could putter on FB, surf the net or do whatever on our lunch, as we were closed. One day, all the computers had NetNanny in place. OM said her mother wanted "all websites blocked" due to the fact that the former employee used the computer to buy things with money belonging to the practice. A few months later, I still can't even read the news on my computer, yet the referral gal is playing Farmville every time I have a spare second to notice. I've asked the OM to remove the NetNanny, she just tells me that I can use her computer. Not that I have a lot of time for that sort of thing, but on lunch, it would be nice.

The biggest bone of contention is DS. He was hired as receptionist after our old one was fired. The reasons for letting her go ranged from poor scheduling habits to inability to do the job. Well, honey, ain't much changed. I even got reamed by Doc for 'butting in" on his 'highly trained staff". This because DS whined to him. Why did he whine? Because I tried to keep him from getting his head bitten off for doing EXACTLY what the fired girl had done. The premise was simple...if someone comes in and says the either want to speak to OM, MA, RG, or me, get a name, pull the chart, ask what it's about. All this so we don't walk into something blind. Also, so we don't get up there and find out they just want to know what time they're to come in next. You know...DO YOUR JOB! But did he say OK, and maybe try to listen to someone trying to help him? Nope, to this day, all we hear, "OM, what do I do? I'm getting tired of this! I'm tired of putting up with this! OM, they say this (or that)! What do I do?"

He'll run to Sissy with the same chart 5 times. No critical thinking ability or problem-solving skills at ALL. OM even told me "We're going to have to tell him to fend for himself. We can't rescue him all the time." Yet he still spends the better part of the day back in her office, or reading a mag, or watching TV. Help call in scripts? Forget it. (Funny enough, this was also one of the things the old girl got canned for.) And this is the 'highly trained' staff Doc had reference to.

I know I'm fighting a losing game. I'm looking for other avenues. However, I'm due in April ( a fact which seems to peeve them off, even though I have not missed a day or even been late since I've been pregnant), and I like the vast majority of what I do.

So, barring throwing my hands up, what do y'all think? Wait tilll my year is up to ask for a raise, insurance assistance, and the other sniggly things I mentioned (like computer access)? Get it in writing? Put it in writing to present?

Or just get the Devil out of Dodge?

Thank you for listening to me rant.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Doc is pushing 80, so the mistress thought doesn't even bear thinking about.

Mistress should rethink ... those types have a way of sticking around for many, many, many, years.

[rn/writer, RN]

Looks like you're at a real fork in the road. You can leave and hope to find a better place that will hire you, knowing that you're expecting. Or you can stay and accept the fact that the more frustrated you get, the more likely this family of cats will play with their little mouse. This will require you to adopt an emotionless, get-things-done demeanor for the duration. Become a no-drama mama, in other words.

The one choice that doesn't sound good to me is to keep standing at the fork, railing against the unfairness of it all, and marinating that innocent gestating child in stress hormones for the next seven months.

The only way to win is not to play.

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

I vote for staying until you go on leave. Then you can tell them you decided to be a SAHM. There's a lot of family "stuff" where I work, but nothing like what you describe. Good luck w/ whatever you decide.

[lckrn2pa]

Get the H E double hockey sticks outta there lol.

I'm not one to burn bridges or leave a job on a bad note but if I were in your situation then my exit plan would pan out like this: during the week I'd slowly and inconspicuously clear my stuff out of the office. I'd pick the week after getting paid so if they withheld my check, it wouldn't be much, I'd also come up with reasons to cancel a few pts during this week, semi-vacation. On Friday, I'd gather up whatever was left, say goodbye, go home and pack a few bags for the flight I was catching saturday morning for some sandy island with clear blue water with plenty of sunshine. Monday morning while I was laying on the beach I'd be sure to have my cell phone next to me so when daddy told daughter to call and find out where I was I could tell her "I'm on a beach in St John/Thomas/Croix or Bahamas or Hawaii or wherever and I wouldn't be in......Ever again. Hang up, turn it off and enjoy the rest of the week. but thats just me....

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Looks like you're at a real fork in the road. You can leave and hope to find a better place that will hire you, knowing that you're expecting. Or you can stay and accept the fact that the more frustrated you get, the more likely this family of cats will be to play with their little mouse. This will require you to adopt a get-things-done, emotionless demeanor for the duration. Become a no-drama mama, in other words.

The one choice that doesn't sound good to me is to keep standing at the fork, railing against the unfairness of it all, and marinating that innocent gestating child in stress hormones for the next seven months.

The only way to win is not to play.

Miranda,

In essence, that's exactly what I've done. I'm polite and friendly, to a point. I still don't, and never will, put up with guff from patients who know the rules, but that is my norm, and expected at this office.

I saw all my patients, did some labs myself, as my med assistant was busy, and spent the rest of what spare 2 minutes I had in my rolly chair with my hands on my ever-widening belly, dizzier than heck and feeling pretty green.

Heck, I've barely spoken to DS this week, except what was the necessary dialogue to change an appointment time, etc. Bit my tongue while they extolled the virtues of a part-timer to Daddy, and how much better they'll be, and meanwhile, I'm busting my tail as an NP for an RN salary (and not a well-paid RN, at that).

However, this week has taught me, due to a reaction based on my condition, that this is not a place that is likely to change, nor is it likely to deviate from the double standard that is so firmly entrenched.

As much as I may miss it, as much as I'll feel like I've lied to my patients about coming back after the baby, it just may be better in the long run if I don't, especially without some concessions, and I've a feeling they won't be forthcoming.

Thanks, all.