NformU

I have empathy for you in your situation. I was a government employed nurse a few years back and was diagnosed with a fractured sternum (from a non-work related accident) and had a MD order for light duty. My Nurse Manager said, "I can't honor this request because the injury didn't occur on the job". I was forced to take FMLA (no pay, of course) and return to work when I was able. After that episode, I had a different attitude about how much investment I wanted to give my employer. In other words, 'life is not fair!' and worse, 'you can't change the world!'.

As a nurse manager, all who have been here are aware of the multitude of important issues that come up during our work day. Most of us are 'just doing our job', no more and no less, when it comes to explaining the meaning of the words 'working in the healthcare field' in today's economy. Most Nurse Managers have worked in the nursing profession for several years, have worked as Licensed Practical Nurses and even as nursing assistants or other non-skilled employees in the healthcare and are very much aware of what their employees are managing on a daily basis. I feel that the healthcare profession has many obstacles in it's way to success, but the most important one is the attitude of the employees that work for an organization. Attitude towards each other, our patients and ancillary staff can make a huge difference in our daily interactions and eventually in the weeks, months and years that we spend doing what we do together. Nurse Managers have a responsibility to set the standards of behavior in the workplace, and like it or not, if attitudes of employees are getting in the way to quality or efficiency of the jobs we do, behaviors must be dealt with to resolve the issues. The company I work for uses a Job Satisfaction Survey to reach out to it's employees and pick up on problems in the workplace. As long as the employees are honest in their answers and actually complete the surveys, they work. For the rest of us, the best advice I have is to have an 'open door' policy, where you invite your staff to sit down and chat with you doing your work day about anything and everything that is working or not working for them. It has been my best tool as a manager and it seems to have a positive influence with my staff. Does anyone else have any quick tips to share?