Oncoming Shift Nurses Complaining about Assignments

[Joanne15]

So I have been a charge nurse for around 8 months now.  One of the most challenging things is to make assignments for the oncoming team.

Just recently we were short RNs for the oncoming shift and I unfortunately had to make some tough assignments.  I wasn't sure how to make the assignments so I got feedback from other charge nurses and our supervisor for our shift.

Some nurses had to be pushed by 1 extra patient (but I gave them a lighter load) and some nurses had to have a heavier team (at their normal full capacity).

When the oncoming team came in, I explained the shortage of nurses for the day and how we all had to stretch. 
Majority of the nurses were understanding but there were a few who were LIVID about their assignment.  
It had gotten so far as to them speaking to me in a disrespectful manner in front of everyone else and rudely telling me to change their assignment because they will not take their team.  Some of them made rude comments out loud about how I was wasn't thinking thoroughly through making the assignments.  Some of the nurses from my shift tried to explain to them about the assignments as well because they seen how upset they were. 
I had to over-explain to them about why I had to do the assignments like that for the greater good of everyone and how they are not alone in how heavy their assignments were. 
 

I've been a nurse for almost 2 years now and I have never felt so disrespected by my own co-workers.  I felt embarrassed and they almost made me feel like I was incompetent with being a charge nurse.  I just never thought you would feel comfortable speaking to your own co-workers like that. 
 
I have gotten a rough assignment before and I never speak to our charge nurse like that.  I just buckle up my boots and start my day. 
Other nurses who overhead the conversations encouraged me to speak to our manager about it. 

I ended up e-mailing my manager about what happened.  I didn't want to come off like a "tattle-tale" but I hope we get a resolution, because (to me) that was very toxic.  I'm a sensitive person and I'm upset that they used my kindness and lack of defense as a means to be overly disrespectful. 
 

Is this type of behavior common?  How would you have handled the situation? I'm wondering if I should have stood up more for myself in front of them.  I just kind of ignored it and tried to be polite about it because there were other people around and I felt embarrassed. 

[PollywogNP, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, NP]

Where was the on coming  shift charge nurse in this? 

[JKL33]

There is zero cause for your coworkers to be upset with you, their peer, over something that is ultimately the employer's responsibility. They should be ashamed of themselves for lashing out at a peer instead of having the guts to tell their manager they aren't going to work under those conditions.

Just the same, there are ways to respond and ways not to respond. So the rest of my comments will be about that:

On 7/6/2021 at 3:45 PM, Joanne15 said:

I had to over-explain to them about why I had to do the assignments like that for the greater good of everyone and how they are not alone in how heavy their assignments were. 

No you did not need to over-explain anything, or give any more than a very basic answer. You need to recognize when you're dealing with a crowd that isn't going to be satisfied by anything you say.

You consulted your resources, thought things through and did the best you could. That alone should give you confidence/self assurance since it would've been hard to do better than what you did. So...then, you don't stand around explaining yourself. You make a short statement of explanation, invite them to take it on up the chain if they wish, and walk away. Something like this: "We are down [x] nurses. I did my best to balance out the assignments." When the complaining starts, say "You're welcome to let [manager/house supervisor/charge nurse] know or work something else out with your teammates."

Then leave the area. Seriously. And if people approach you with comments despite all the above, say "I am not discussing this any further. If you are unhappy take it up the chain of command."

On 7/6/2021 at 3:45 PM, Joanne15 said:

I felt embarrassed and they almost made me feel like I was incompetent with being a charge nurse.

I mean this kindly, but these ^ are feelings you need to deal with. You had nothing to be embarrassed about and this situation does not suggest incompetence on your part. This is one of those situations where you agreed to feel that way. I know I would not have felt that way no matter what they said to me....because their anger towards the person who made out the assignments is not logical. So they can go fly a kite, you know?

 

On 7/6/2021 at 3:45 PM, Joanne15 said:

I'm a sensitive person and I'm upset that they used my kindness and lack of defense as a means to be overly disrespectful. 

I can appreciate that, but you don't need to have a complete lack of defense. You need to stop taking on others' problems as if they are your own. ???

[Wuzzie]

Never, ever explain why you did something to people like this. They don’t listen they don’t care and it isn’t going to change their minds. Stand firm in your decision and let them know that you won’t be beaten into submission. “I made the best decision for the unit with the resources we have. If you don’t like it take it up with the manager.” Then walk away. 

[amoLucia]

This ^^^ Their behavior smacks of insubordination. And that  can be considered for disciplinary action.

You cannot get into an argument with them. Just call the supervisor to the floor.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

14 hours ago, Wuzzie said:

Never, ever explain why you did something to people like this. They don’t listen they don’t care and it isn’t going to change their minds. Stand firm in your decision and let them know that you won’t be beaten into submission. “I made the best decision for the unit with the resources we have. If you don’t like it take it up with the manager.” Then walk away. 

100% this.

If you did your best and put thought into it, don't let them get the message that they can complain and get you to cave, because this will be how they treat you always.

I know you hate to be that witch, but as a long-term charge nurse myself who has stood his ground with a "this is your assignment and I'm not changing it" people know not to come to me at this point with their complaints and demand changes, although I do understand that some assignments are going to be rough and you have to acknowledge that with " yes, you're assignment sucks and I'm sorry".  

If it's something simple like they want someone they had the day prior and I didn't give them back, or they are burned out on a particularly difficult patient, I will make reasonable changes.  But if I've put thought into it, and have made a fair assignment, I'm not changing it.

 

[Wuzzie]

6 minutes ago, Tweety said:

although I do understand that some assignments are going to be rough and you have to acknowledge that with " yes, you're assignment sucks and I'm sorry".  

I'll sometimes surprise the ones who quietly take a rough assignment on the chin without complaining a little token of my appreciation.  I will also remember it the next time I make an assignment.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Don't take it personally. No matter how much time and effort you put into the assignment there will always be one person who isn't happy. If they truly are unhappy then I say "Fine. Change it". When other people complain I just say "Well I had it this way but so and so decided to change it". 

[caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN]

This happens all the time on my floor. It's like a rite of passage for the oncoming shift to give the off-going charge nurse heat over an assignment, for some reason. I don't agree with it, but it's incredibly common. I have a few favorite responses to this:

"If you don't like your assignment, you're welcome to switch with someone else. Just be sure to change it on the board, too." (Because it's not MY responsibility to deal with your dissatisfaction or to track down your assignment because you HAD to change it.)

"We talked about this at huddle and this was the best decision. If you have any questions, feel free to let [my manager/house supervisor/etc.] know."

Let it roll right off your back. No matter how hard you try to make the *perfect* assignment, there will always be one person that will take issue with it. You'll never make them happy so you might as well let them know that their negativity doesn't affect you. When they learn that you'll ignore them, they'll likely stop complaining (or they'll escalate their complaints and it will go nowhere).

If they refuse to clock in and take their assignment, I call my manager or house supervisor and let them know. If need be, we can send that person home without pay and find a replacement. If we can't find a replacement, then everyone will have to work short. ? (They probably should have just taken that assignment, ya know.)

[amoLucia]

I use to threaten dissatisfied staff that I would put everybody's names (pts & staff) in a hat and draw out the assignments. AND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY!

I worked LTC and while the para-prof CNA staff is a bit less intense, they are still adults responsible for important duties. Their quibbling was so time consuming and emotionally draining. I actually did my threat once. Thereafter, staff never pushed me to that level of discord again.

 

 

[Wuzzie]

@amoLucia Evil but effective. ?

[Rainbow_RN, BSN, RN]

Depending on the culture of the unit, it may be common. I have learned that over-explaining things is almost never a good thing. Stand your ground, state your logic if they push, and that's it. I agree the next shifts charge should have supported you on this. Based off your listed experience level, if you're anything like me you may face some extra challenges in earning respect when in charge. Don't let the experienced nurses walk all over you. You are in charge because you wanted it/earned it. They are not in charge. Doesn't mean you need to act uppity, but certainly you can't stand for & don't deserve abuse from them. Stand firm, they will learn what you are like.