problem with management(jnette-please read)

[ktwlpn]

I won't get tooo specific here but I want to vent and get a little advice from you all....I seem to have a big personality clash with 2 of the powers that be(I am not the only one to be sure) They so enjoy torturing the staff when they can.One has a bit of a volatile personality and is rigid,controlling and very cold-the other has almost a flat affect and unless you really kiss her butt she has no time for you....I can be over-bearing,I'll admit.I can be loud and am out-spoken and very passionate about what I do....I have NEVER received any official verbal or written warning and have always gotten excellent evals however these 2 NEVER miss a chance to get me in the office and question my judgement or call me to task for seemingly questioning their authority.God Forbid I have an idea because I have gone to the trouble of researching a new resident's condition and want to get a careplan going that might be more then your basic 3 hots and a cot thing...I do love my job (most days) I have a great unit and am usually left alone....My plan is too work there until I retire....I don't know if either of them will EVER retire.. I have been having some problems of a personal nature (did not effect my job performance but did effect my general mood)and a few of the times I have been "chastized" by this pair I ended up in tears...Thankfully I have my depression back under some control and can stand strong....Anyway-you don't have to LOVE any of your co-workers but you have to treat them fairly and I think those 2 are incapable of doing that....I "make waves" I am not good at kissing butts and if I see a problem I try to improve it....Too many of my co-workers are just going through the motions and that is acceptable behavior.I also stand up fpr myself when a peer is inappropriate however I end up being counseled and told to be flexible and tolerate the behaviors of the old wacko nurses(you know-the ones that flip out if the med cups are not stacked on top of the med cart the way they want them)....That is NOT the kind of nurse I want to be...I have been called on the carpet for doing too good a job...go figure.... I know if I try to go up the chain of command with a grievance I will be commiting professional suicide so I either try to stay under the radar and be scared to death that sometime I will make a real mistake and be CRUCIFIED or try to handle it one on one on a personal level...That's really what I think it is-I don't like either one of them as people or nurses and they don't like me-however they can't hang me because I am a competent nurse....I have started documenting the little torture sessions.....should I walk out of the next? They never document anything...Should I tell them I feel as though I am being harrassed? I can honestly say that since I have been on my unit we have made positve changes in the lives of many of our residents and their families-I am proud of the job we are doing (I work with the BEST cna's) I am so torn....argh.....I have never felt the need to put someone else down to make myself feel better-I try to be courteous and respectful to all-and if I get snappish because I am harried I will go back and apologize....Sheesh I am tired of being screamed at and being treated like an idiot.......

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I have learned the hard way not to stay anywhere where my immediate supervisor treats me the way you describe. It is simply too easy for them to sink you. Be careful.

Once again, I agree w/ mattsmom.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

well-I did not react well last week to the DON coming to my unit and "housecleaning" I have seen her do this on other units-she literally starts tearing open the desk drawers and cupboards,screaming and throwing away everything in her path....I don't really care if the night shift keeps catalogues in their drawer with their schedule,you know? So-I left the area (visitors,dietary and social services witnessed this episode) I did go back and try to stand up for myself but the situation escalated so -again-I walked away...And the next day The Wizard and her little monkey relieved me from my charge duty.....Am I crying? No.....Not one mistake was made by me or omission of required paperwork or anything of that nature....which I pointed out and while in their cave I said my piece-very well,I might add...and am happy to take the consequences....It was worth it...Now I am prn (again-I preferred it and did not want this unit in the first place) I also went to human resources-nothing has been documented in my file.....but my concerns are documented now....Seems TPTB associate a nurse developing a trusting relationship with a family and resident as getting too emotionally involved and being un-professional...Funny-with my almost 20 yrs of experince that has not been a problem at any other facility -LTC or acute care...Even so-the pros far out-weigh the cons at this time for me (still great staffing-the residents are getting the care from the aides that they deserve) We all have to suck it up sometimes and develope our protective camo.....and when the dust settled I did apologize for my behavior and stated my expectation to be treated fairly in the future....I am at peace.-and feel that I know what a true professional is and am going to be that nurse.......Competent-compassionate and respectful of all.......