I will go ahead and state that this may be a sensitive topic, so please forgive me ahead of time if I offend anyone, it is not my intention. I just need some advice from people who may have experienced the same thing I am. This may get a little long-winded.
I am a new grad nurse who just took a position as a charge nurse on a post-acute unit. I absolutely LOVE my job from a clinical standpoint. I love my patients, and the environment is ever changing so it keeps me on my toes. I learned more the first day on the floor than any clinical rotation during school...which is awesome! That being said, my work environment is hostile.
I'm the new kid on the block, and I get that there will be people who don't like me no matter where I work, but this feels like more than that. I am Caucasian, one of only two Caucasians who work on this unit. There is one particular tech who has been here since Jesus was a baby, and she makes my life hell. No matter how politely I ask her to do something, she refuses if it's not something she wants to do right then. Ugh. I've offered to help her in completing certain tasks in an effort to establish that I am not "that nurse" who feels that I am above the work that techs do...still didn't matter. She gives me an attitude, raises her voice above mine every time I speak and just flat out disrespects me any opportunity she gets.
She and I had a disagreement about the way she spoke to a patients family. The family came for a compassionate care visit to see their loved one who was dying from covid complications. This tech was rude, disrespectful and basically made a heartbreaking situation more difficult for this family. I pulled the tech aside and asked her to let me handle the family from that point forward. After the family left she proceeded to attack me and claimed that I think I'm better than her because I am white. Wait, what?!! How did this become a race issue?
Since then there is tension with everyone I work with. I've had several other nurses and techs approach me and ask me if I really did call her the "N" word (which is a term that I have never and will never use or be OK with). The nurse who is on the same rotation as me for night shift is close with this tech. Since the disagreement, the night nurse has gone above and beyond to make it known she does not like me. She leaves nasty notes instructing me to do things, she will chart pertinent information about patients and claim she gave report to day nurse, but actually doesn't tell me about it. She throws me under the bus any chance she can.
There's much more, but that's the gist of it, and it is making the stress of being a new nurse so much worse. I've attempted to speak to both the tech and the night nurse, and that made things so much worse. I went to management and nothing changed. I actually had one manager tell me it's best if I just keep my head down and mouth shut to avoid conflict. Seriously?!!
I'm to the point where I would almost rather play in traffic blindfolded than to come to work. Here in lies the issue... I signed a 2 year contract with a sign-on bonus (which I cannot afford to pay back right now). What else can I do? Has anyone else been in a similar situation where you feel like your voice isn't being heard because of your race, religion, gender etc.?
You are being discriminated against. Thoroughly document and report each and every occurence to HR.
The situation will likely not change, but it will give you ammunition for when you leave this nightmare. Also speak with an attorney regarding your contract and the discrimination.
You are being discriminated against. Thoroughly document and report each and every occurence to HR.
The situation will likely not change, but it will give you ammunition for when you leave this nightmare. Also speak with an attorney regarding your contract and the discrimination.
Thoroughly agree with this. HR will get a message from your persistence in giving them their copy of documentation of the discrimination. Something may come of it, even if it is nothing more than an engineered end to your employment. I can't see you being sorry if that happens.
It doesnt sound like a good situation. I am reminded of a nurse saying "Companies wouldnt offer a bonus if they didn't have to to get people to stay" If you havent spent the money give it back and find another job.
I wish I could, but I paid a good portion of my student loans off with it. Sigh.
You are being discriminated against. Thoroughly document and report each and every occurence to HR.
The situation will likely not change, but it will give you ammunition for when you leave this nightmare. Also speak with an attorney regarding your contract and the discrimination.
I’ve started a documentation journal of everything. It may not change the situation, but it might give me an out when it comes to my contract...hopefully.
You are being discriminated against. Thoroughly document and report each and every occurence to HR.
The situation will likely not change, but it will give you ammunition for when you leave this nightmare. Also speak with an attorney regarding your contract and the discrimination.
Now that's the best advice I have read here.
I sometimes travel nurse and generally you pretty much end up in places where there's trouble. I like my license and for some reason I frequently end up being in charge. I will not allow anyone to jeopardize my license by their incompetence, stupidity or laziness. I take patient care very seriously.
My formula is to immediately identify the people who are competent regardless of age, experience or whatever. These are the people I rely on exclusively when I make out assignments and place them in charge. During handing out assignments I let everyone know how I feel about my license and that I will not tolerate anyone shirking their duties and I will immediately report them to the management and write them up. I'm not there to make friends. This is work!
I usually work psych if I travel nurse by the way. And part of my contract is to always be able to obtain an email source from the facility to communicate difficulties. I liase with my supervisor beforehand and in writing or during orientation with witnesses, let them know that this is my plan if I am placed in charge. I lay out the fact that this is a difficult unit and if they have an alternative solution to let us know. I also alert my travel company (BCC) if I send an email.
I also keep an attorney on retainer and they receive updates taking into account confidentiality. This formula hasn't failed me yet. Even when I am working my regular job. You also have the added bonus, that the friends that you do make are genuine people who value competence and are less likely to be superficial. It helps that I am not even remotely interested in being liked and fortunately possess withering wit, which helps to keep people at bay.
You are there for the patients. They are compromised and your care and concern whether medical or Psych make a difference. By the way, I handle difficult Drs exactly the same way. I chart everything or always have a witness if possible. I have found that almost always, whenever a unit is difficult, it's because management is incompetent and very likely to throw you under the bus given the opportunity.
Re your situation, I would make assignments and be extremely clear as to what you expect. Any deviations get written up. I would also mention to management after consulting a lawyer, that I intend to sue for slander! Draw a line and don't let them cross it!
You need to start documenting each and every episode with this person. If she is upsetting patients and their families, have them file a grievance with the facility. Without compromising patient privacy of course, video log could help you too.
I’m sorry this is happening to you. If there is any possible way you can save up some money and get out, I probably would. To me, staying at a job that you’re miserable at is very difficult.
Being a charge nurse as a brand new nurse is very unsafe and can be overwhelming. Usually jobs that force you to sign a contract you should steer clear from (the contract is usually because they have really bad staffing issues).
In the meantime, I would definitely document everything and make HR away of these issues. I’m hoping you’re able to find a resolution ❤️
Have you written this person up? If not, then you need to start. You tried the direct and nice approach first, and it failed. Now it's time for the people with higher salaries and HR to handle it.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, master of...a few ;).
Hmmm...back in day I worked a few places that used a “taped report”. The idea with this was it would leave a nurse available to tend to any patient or staff needs instead of no nurses available. The downside was no interaction so...if you had questions...if something wasn’t explained clearly ect..it could interrupt continuity, However, I don’t believe it's against regulations if you wanted to record shift change report!
There’s a few steps you can take to ensure patient confidentiality is not compromised 1.)use old fashioned tape recorder, as long as it’s not on your personal device it shouldn’t be an issue 2.)the recorder is not taken home with you but is stored (locked up) somewhere in the facility 3.)your intention with recording report is to ensure patient safety quality care is not compromised due to potentially “missing something” that was reported to you. 4.)informing the nurse that you are recording and why(as stated above). She can’t fault you for ensuring you're not missing things that she’s telling you and SHE can’t intentionally leave important information out in an attempt to get you in trouble.
You can check on it a little more as far as actual rules, check your employers P&P and HIPAA regs to see if its prohibited then let your manager know that is what you intend to. This goes a step further than journals although that is a good idea as well and she’d probably think twice about throwing you under the bus.
Next thought is your contract which is exactly that and just as you have the obligation to stay 2 years...they have the obligation to ensure that you're in a productive environment where you have ALL available resources and tools needed to do your job, that includes compliance from assistive staff as their duties are essential for the completion of your duties(to ensure all standards of practice for quality care is followed), so in fact they are not holding up there side of the contract either and would have a hard time forcing you to pay the money back, especially if you have documentation.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
41 minutes ago, mom_e_bizcut said:
Hmmm...back in day I worked a few places that used a “taped report”
....However, I don’t believe it's against regulations if you wanted to record shift change report!
For years and years, we use to tape shift report at Wrongway Regional Medical Center until administration informed us that Joint Commision squashed the practise.
Specializes in Jack of all trades, master of...a few ;).
25 minutes ago, Davey Do said:
For years and years, we use to tape shift report at Wrongway Regional Medical Center until administration informed us that Joint Commision squashed the practise.
True because no face to face meaning oncoming nurse may not be able to ask questions which was feared to create gaps in continuity, also they moved toward bedside report for some time and also stressed importance of a standardized specific report system. But even if recordings are not best practice anymore I don't believe there is anything in their regs that actually prohibits the process as long as the nurse is still following facility policy and observing patient confidentiality. Your'e simply taking an extra step, some shift change reports also include a quick rundown of assignments with the aides which could also be on tape as you politely delegate tasks to the responsible aid and cordially offer to help as needed. If you love the job fight for it, make it known to managers and coworkers that you won't be walked on or intimidated.
Been there,done that, ASN, RN
7,241 Posts
You are being discriminated against. Thoroughly document and report each and every occurence to HR.
The situation will likely not change, but it will give you ammunition for when you leave this nightmare. Also speak with an attorney regarding your contract and the discrimination.