New Head Nurse---how will this turn out?

[Riseupandnurse]

Our new head nurse hit the floor today out of orientation. Came out swinging. Seems to be focused on pleasing the doctors, being in the hall for the doctors, thinking ahead to what would make the doctors' lives easier. Challenges staff in public as to their dedication to the doctors. Uggh. I did not expect this at all. Most of us try to make the doctors happy, but it is all we can do to keep the patients' safe and answer the visitors' concerns and still have an hour or two overtime every shift. How did your new head nurses act when they first took the floor? Were they confrontational and if they were, did they mellow out or should I start looking to bail out, because I don't need this.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

It's been about a thousand years since we had a new unit manager (I assume that's what you mean by 'head nurse'), so can't answer exactly.

It does seem to me, though, that if my supervisor was that bent on pleasing MDs over making the work of the NURSES easier, I'd have reservations about my success on that unit. Mostly because I'd open my mouth and cause a ruckus!

As it is, there's too much focus (IMO) on Patient Satisfaction (translate that into Family of Patient and Visitor of Patient Satisfaction) as it is.

[Batman24]

I would see how things go for a few weeks. Sometimes people in new positions come out swinging and aggressive but calm down after a bit. If they remain this way and continue in calling nurses out or their focus doesn't return to patient care I would look elsewhere. I would also pull them aside if they spoke to me disrespectfully in public. That's unprofessional on their part and needs to be stopped. There is nothing wrong with wanting all medical staff to be a team and work together, but when it's about serving doctors versus being advocates and caring for our patients then it's time to hit the road.

[towntalker]

sometimes when you are new you do over react hopefully things will come out ok in the end

by the way what caused the opening for new head nurse?? maybe they told her it was because of doctor complaints and she is scared out of her gourd

[azxyrn]

Been there, done that, usually this means the higher ups are demanding the head nurse cater more to the doctors. Like towntalker suggest; give it some time, things should straighten out, or the nurse will hopefully tune it down.....

[Riseupandnurse]

There really wasn't anything dramatic causing the opening. The previous long-time head nurse (she was tough but fair) wanted a lateral move into a different position. I think towntalker is right; since this was the first encounter with the employees out of orientation the necessity of pleasing the doctors must have been what the orientation was centered on. But we are driven by Press-Ganey, and I just didn't expect this focus at all. I think this is a real step back, as I would like to improve patient care and teamwork. I am very disappointed but I guess I will wait and see a little. But I can't take being publicly scolded.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

There really wasn't anything dramatic causing the opening. The previous long-time head nurse (she was tough but fair) wanted a lateral move into a different position. I think towntalker is right; since this was the first encounter with the employees out of orientation the necessity of pleasing the doctors must have been what the orientation was centered on. But we are driven by Press-Ganey, and I just didn't expect this focus at all. I think this is a real step back, as I would like to improve patient care and teamwork. I am very disappointed but I guess I will wait and see a little. But I can't take being publicly scolded.

and you shouldnt, be firm but respectful and inform her thusly

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

It will be interesting to see if the doctor's attitudes change as a result of her MD-focus. I would not be surprised if all of a sudden you start seeing more abusive physicians. Many of them already have the God-complex thing going, let's not give them any more ammo!