Just wondering how other nurses would interpret this email.
"I am looking for motivated staff that are interested in rising to the challenge of providing care to patients with heart failure and be part of developing a unit of excellence. There is no need to apply if you; lack interest in staying updated with current trends, have a profound interest in gossip, or lack team work capabilities. If you are interested please try to attend the staff meeting on July 6th at 0600
(name withheld) our nurse practioner has set up Heart Failure Education Modules which are mandatory to all. The modules will include
1.Heart Failure Pathophysiology and symptoms
2.Heart Failure Treatment: HF guidelines and Therapies
3.Continued Treatment
4.Patient Education and Self-Care
Dates and times as below (rooms to be announced):
9/28 0800-1200
9/28 1430-1830
9/29 0700-1100
9/29 1400-1800
10/9 0700-1100
10/09 1400-1800
10/10 1100-1500
10/26 1300-1700
Please let me know ASAP what session would be best for you and we will schedule workshop time so that it is part of your hours.
If you can not make any of these sessions I will assume your interest lies outside of moving forward with rest of the heart failure team."
I don't care what the message is, I loathe when people pull stuff like this. Say what you mean, no need to belittle folks to get your message across. Perhaps it's speeches like this that have morale in the toilet while people gossip or whatever.
IMO, morale won't improve until the nurse manager realizes that her employees are adults who would likely respond much better to something that was positive, not denigrating.
I don't care what the message is, I loathe when people pull stuff like this. Say what you mean, no need to belittle folks to get your message across. Perhaps it's speeches like this that have morale in the toilet while people gossip or whatever.
IMO, morale won't improve until the nurse manager realizes that her employees are adults who would likely respond much better to something that was positive, not denigrating.
Amanda
I am with you,Amanda! Very well put.
Passive -aggressive people are a pain.
I have no idea how so many of them in up in management.
I worked for someone that pulled that kind of crap for 5 years and didn't even realize how disturbing it was until I left.
I think it would have been far more effective if he/she simply said, "We're offering mandatory seminars to improve your knowledge and skill. You must be there __________." In regards to the other issues (gossiping, etc.) that would be more effectively dealt with by pointing out to the staff that there seemed to be morale problems and perhaps they should discuss issues and ask for suggestions to remedy the situation.
She isn't actually addressing any problems by sending an email like that. She may be getting her point across, but I don't feel that is a good way to do it - say what you mean and deal with the real issues, don't belittle in an attempt to get things done.
I think she has been frustrated with the lack of motivation etc. in the staff and is trying to provide some motivation in a "cutesy" fashion. She was trying to get your attention -- and with you at least, it worked.
I wouldn't be offended by it unless it is just one of several things that are bothering you about it. It sounds to me as if she was trying not to be boring. The tone doesn't appeal to me, but life's too short to get all worked up about it if unless there is a pattern.
It also sounds as if she is really trying to work with the staff to help them schedule the classes at a time that works for them. That's a good thing.
Thanks for all of the responses. I just wanted to know how other nurses would feel about an e-mail like this. It has caused quite a stir on my unit. I'd say about 60% of the nurses were annoyed , 20% took it very personally and let everyone know they weren't going to attend the meeting and the last 20% didn't care and attended the meeting because it was during their shift or just an hour before their shift.
I went to the meeting (it was during a shift I was working). I have no problem with meetings or mandatory education. I actually like the education part of my job. (I used to be a teacher!) I don't particularly like the way she wrote the email. Thanks again for you opinions...I love how there are so many of them;)
A lot of the problems we have today are created by people being afraid to say what they REALLY mean - ya do have to hand it to her for not beating around the bush.
I thought it was pretty clear myself - not passive aggressive. So I agree with you.
As to all the different opinions - that is what is so funny to me about people saying "nursing" just has to get together to solve the problems in our profession . . . . yeah, right . . like we all agree.
I've said it before and at the risk of making y'all sick I'm saying it again - nursing is not a monolith. We come from all walks of society, all political spectrums, all value systems, etc., and to get a concensus is difficult.
Maybe it was clear, but it wasn't respectful. I hate it when everyone gets painted with the same broad brush. If there are stragglers who can't get their behinds to mandatory inservices, then the manager needs to deal with them individually and not demean her entire staff.
I think by the gossip reference it was her way of saying she didnt want to hear all the snapping and complaining about having to attend a mandatory meeting. We all know how people get when there is yet "another" or inservice we have to go to. Especially when i means we have to come in on our day off or stay late to attend.
I liked it. It was pretty much straight to the point. I would've been offended only if I was one of those gossiping, non-showing up for inservice people.
I'm assuming she's sending this email after previous failed efforts. Sometimes you just have to give people a kick in the azz and let them know you're not playing with them.
:roll :rotfl:
Rio, ASN, RN
144 Posts
The beatings will continue until morale improves. :deadhorse