I have worked in my unit for 5 yrs now. I have done many projects and led a committee in our unit. One of my biggest projects was the performance improvement project that everyone in my unit approved, liked, and has been using.
I did a survey for it to involve everyone. I'm leading a huge committee where I do monthly meetings with stakeholders and unit staff. I precept new nurses. I always come to work on time, with no call-outs, and no written warnings.
We do peer review in our unit every yr. This a unique unit event where we anonymously review the staff assigned to us by answering questions and doing a free-form comment. After 5 yrs someone said a negative review about me which is that I gossip.
My manager took it seriously and made it a reason for me not to get a promotion. I asked HR if peer review will affect my record or going up the ladder and they said no because it is only for our unit. When I mentioned to my manager my desire to be rn3 she said I can't get it because I do not have emotional intelligence because of gossiping and I am not famous like the new nurse she just hired. So I did not let her comment affect me, I paid and attended an emotional intelligence class and submitted the class certificate together with my rn3 application.
I had my yearly evaluation today. One from our LCN, which was a very good evaluation and she said I will get my rn3. For my manager, she said all those good things I have done for the unit and she said I am a good nurse but I am not mature and need to grow up because of the gossiping.
I asked her before the evaluation if she has proof that I do it and all she said was there were people who agree when she asked them. Today I asked her who are those people who said that I gossip, what was content, what are the proof and why aren't talking to me directly. And then she said there were no people, she was just basing it on the anonymous peer review. She is confusing me.
During the evaluation, she kinda confirm I will not be promoted but that I need to do another project for the unit. I was speechless and could not think. What she said to me about not having emotional intelligence, being immature, and that I gossip is now affecting my mental health and motivation at work. What should I do? Should I go to HR? Should I just leave? I love the staff nurses and doctors I work with and I love my patients. I need guidance. I do not want to do a lot of things in the unit and not be paid for it.
The best thing that you can do for yourself is to apply for another position at the rank you would like within your current organization, at a new one, or join the float pool. Every float pool is like an episode of Cheers, the unit is glad you came and youre glad to leave at the end. Do not entertain the negativity and doubt yourself.
1) standard protocol is to disregard anonymous reporting. Your boss is sabotaging you and you have grounds to take action
2) Document everything and file an official complaint with HR, be prepared to hire an attorney
3) If complaining up the chain of command isn't your cup of tea, quit and go travel. You'll more than double your income and they'll learn a real lesson about playing games. In the current market, it absolutely astounds me that any nurse manager would pull a stunt like that.
I'm really curious about the "famous" new nurse.... Famous? And that's why she's promoted?
But yeah, get a meeting with her and at least one other person, and say you need more information about what is being viewed as "gossip" -- if it is a misunderstanding, you have a right to clarify/offer context, and if it is that you didn't realize your behavior was problematic, you need to know what you did wrong for you to be able to correct it. That's just basic.
I think you did such a good job on your last project that your supervisor would say anything to keep you in the position to do another. Did you ever think, that you make your supervisor look good? Some supervisors are not gracious enough to lift someone up by letting them know this. Better to keep you worried and wondering. You took her back a bit when you took an Emotional Intelligence class and you questioned her on who said you were gossiping.
If you do decide to resign make sure you write a sincere, mature letter explaining why you are leaving. Explain what your previous evaluations were like, what projects you did and how they were accepted. The discussion you had with your supervisor during your evaluation as well as the Assistant Supervisor and their input. Let them know you feel you have been left with no options. Work where your contributions are not celebrated or find another place to work where you'll be as happy as you once were at work before this slap in the face.. I also like something someone wrote in their comment, About how someone being allowed to comment on your evaluation is just gossip. Exactly what your being accused of. Really a truly ridiculous , immature way to do an evaluation. Also let's someone else do the supervisor's job. I see a theme here.
Specializes in Case management, supervisor, unit manager, etc.
Hopefully by now the situation is resolved. But, if advice still needed: since she is being so negative and resisting your efforts, perhaps someone said you said something about her. You seem to have no problem facing a situation, you could tactically ask her if you had said something to upset her. That is the only suggestion I have to further investigate the matter.
I agree with many of posters, do not continue doing extra projects everyone applauds you but does not remember it when it counts like this situation. It appears she, like many managers, likes her power and has too much time to think to put malice into situations. Step back and let her have the joy of helping others instead of having a happy unit by delegating this vital job to others.
Good luck!
BouBou
113 Posts
Greetings,
The best thing that you can do for yourself is to apply for another position at the rank you would like within your current organization, at a new one, or join the float pool. Every float pool is like an episode of Cheers, the unit is glad you came and youre glad to leave at the end. Do not entertain the negativity and doubt yourself.