is it ok to talk with my DON over the phone instead of in person?

[rehab nurse]

hi there everyone! i have a question.

on monday, i had some issues with another nurse whom i was working with. she sat with the aides all night and barely did anything, and when we had to go check on the assisted living wing for a problem, she refused to go because she was busy talking.

anyway, i got called in the following morning (mind you, i had been up all night with my back pain, and my daughter was sick so i had no sleep) and i was so exhausted, looked not so great, that my DON asked what was causing my "affect" to be "off". i couldn't believe it. yes, i was utterly exhausted, and a little peeved to have to go all the way to work on my day off, when i was in such bad pain and having no sleep for almost 2 days. geez~how would she feel! and to go in to work to talk about someone else's work ethics?

so anyways, i had to write a loooong statement about my complaints regarding this nurse, and now my DON wants me to come in AGAIN. problem is, i am having a bad flare up of back pain this week. thankfully, i'm off anyway (i work only couple days a week, plus have fmla), but i can't bring myself to go to that place for another few hours and sit in the office talking about problems going on on that unit.

to those of you who are in management, or who have been in similar situations, do you think it would be awful of me to tell her i can't make it in? that i could discuss things over the phone, but can't make the drive due to my back, not feeling well, etc?

thanks for reading and thanks to those who offer any advice, wisdom, etc!

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

depends on how bad you want the job

[donmomofnine]

It wouldn't bother me in the least to talk on the phone!

[JKDON]

Your complaints should be voiced in person with the DON able to ask clarifying questions. However I think you should be able to do this over the phone. Or is a conference call a possibility? I would ask that. You've brought up your concerns on paper, and have been in there already. Is she aware of your continued back pain? is it possible that the conversation going on by the other person was work related? It could be that she has sppoken to the other person and now needs clarification, or to have you work it out with the other employee.

I am familiar with some of the FMLA issues from our facility and at time others do not understand and even harass (if I may use such a negative term) those who are on light duty. Do you feel this was done to you on purpose due to using FMLA? If that would be the case, you should report it as such, and that may be something your boss wants to find out.

Ask for a conference call.

[DusktilDawn]

I have had conversations regarding work related issues with my NAM over the phone numerous times. I have also written incident reports at home, dated and submitted them when I next worked. I have absolutely no problem with this. I would recommend that you ask to discuss this issue over the phone.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Since I work every other weekend and have been there for years, I have many of these type of instances. Thank goodness they understand that with 3 young children the phone is the best bet. Occasionally I've even emailed them my statement and followed up with a hard copy. Just all depends on your NM.

[rehab nurse]

i'll try to sum up some of each of your questions with another post.

i first made my complaint in person, in a meeting that lasted over two hours (this happened on tuesday, my day off, and i had worked afternoons on monday) she wanted me to stay and write out a statement, but i had to leave to pick up my dd from school, so i left, and emailed her my statement.

she called me today, wednesday, and said she received the statement. but she wants another meeting, and she can't tell me how long it will last.

i have been on fmla for six months already due to recurring autoimmune and back problems. i only work one to two days per week. the pain is such that i need those other days off to rest and care for my children. that is why i don't want to go back into my workplace for another potentially long meeting.

i believe she just wants to ask more questions of me individually, or she may in fact just want to tell me what her findings are. either way, right now with my back the way it is, i do not think i can handle the trip in, and that is why i was wondering if it is ok to ask for a phone call.

i hope that all makes sense. that you all for your replies!

edit to add: i have been employed at this facility for five years.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

If you can't handle the trip, then call. It shows you ARE making the effort to communicate with her.