Punitive culture

[pink panther]

New management has taken over my facility and write ups are a constant now. I was wondering what is everyones experience with this? Is it best to stay and ride it out until the mass exodus commences and they realize they can't treat employees the way they have been. Or is it best to cut my losses and go to another facility?

I would really appreciate feedback from people who have dealt with new management like this. Thank you in advance for any advice/war stories.

[Davey Do]

Welcome to AN.com, pink panther!

Administration at Wrongway Regional Medical Center didn't start out this way 15 years ago when they took over, but the atmosphere has evolved into a punitive one.

About a year ago, I was called into HR and written up for not completing a piece of superfluous paperwork. I filed a grievance against the psych director for harassment and noted shortcomings by HR director and have not been bothered by either one since.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

The problem is that even after the mass exodus, management will not concede that they are the cause. Leave now before you are left with the same management but short staffed because everyone is leaving.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Run outta there BEFORE mass exodus begins, not after it already started.

You've got only one life, and it is not to be wasted on nuts. And every subject of the exodus which ensues is pretending on a job opening you might would like to get into.

[cleback]

I would leave before I had a list of disciplinary notes attached to my HR file.

[Davey Do]

With all due respect to GIB, cleback, and Katie who have a history of displaying mentally healthy behavior and giving sound advice, I beg to differ.

When I saw the writing on the wall back in '06, I kept objective documentation on everything that I saw that was awry with patient and/or staff safety. Belinda says I have a suitcase full of documentation. Not so. It's only a briefcase full.

When I was called into HR last year for neglecting to complete that superfluous piece of paperwork, I got angry. No attention was paid to, dare I say, my heroic interventions in at least three situations in the preceding two weeks. I also had just completed three 12 hour MN shifts, so I was in no trifling mood.

I confronted both the HR director and the psych division manager on their past and present behaviors, initiated the grievance process, and have not been bothered by them since.

I like my job, coworkers and patients, am in the autumn of my career, and want to stay put until I retire. My tact is to get more on them then they have on me and come out ahead in a standoff.

Thus far my tact has worked. Stay tuned for updates!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I was an agency nurse, briefly.. for a facility that had that style. 40 % of staff was fired for bull feces. That's why they had to pay the big bucks for agency personnel.

You must move on, before the feces hits you.

[Davey Do]

Another member noted that one of the first responses to any work related problem is to quit and find another job. Quitting is a viable option, but in order to learn to deal with problems, we need to lean to work through them.

We learn to deal with problems by working through problems--identify the problem, gather data, brainstorm ideas and choose the best solution.

If we quit every time we run upon an obstacle, we will merely become really good quitters. The world's problems are not solved by those who quit.

When we run upon a problem, we continue on, face that problem, deal with it, and learn from the experience. So the next time we come upon a problem, we have some experience in order to deal with other problems.

So there!

[Buckeye.nurse]

There's merit to the arguments of both those telling you to leave, and the ones giving you advice to stay (DaveyDo). For what it's worth, here's my rather lengthy 2 cents.

We nurses stay at a position for many reasons. 1) The position provides the exact experience on our resume for future dream positions (think CRNA or flight nurse). 2) A nurse absolutely loves and is loyal to the nurses they are working with. Working with a team of competent and fun nurses who have each other's backs is not to be taken (or discarded) lightly. 3) The benefits at an employer are the absolute best in the area, and the nurse is willing to slog through an otherwise mediocre job in order to keep getting them. This one, in particular, often applies to older nurses who are

Any of the above reasons could compel staying through a tough management season. I say through, because if there's anything I've learned in my years of nursing, managers (good or bad) who stay long term are a rare breed. There will likely be an exodus too, mass or not quite mass. Generally at least some nurses leave during any manager switch. Don't base your reason for staying or leaving on that unless the reason you like your job is option 2).

Finally, if you do decide to stay for whatever reason, there are a few things you can do to help yourself. First, know and follow your policy/procedures. Second, don't make yourself a target. Be pleasant, and play well with others. Third, while having a reference from a manager (should you eventually decide to leave after all) is nice, you CAN get a new job you want without this manager's glowing review. To better the odds, look for people you work with, who have diverse experience, who might give you a reference. Think physicians, physical therapists, wound-ostomy nurses, charge nurses, clinical nurse specialists, chairs of any committee you are on, etc. They can speak to your clinical skills, and a future employer always likes to hear about that. Good luck!

[Crush]

I would list the pros and cons of staying versus leaving. The grass is not always greener on the other side. It may just be a different shade of green. If you have more listed as reasons to leave, then it is time to leave. If you have more reasons to stay, then work through it.

Only you know how punitive they are being. I have been through several leadership changes where I am now. Some have been good, some great, some not so good.

Either way you choose, I wish you the best.

[MrNurse(x2), ADN]

I left a position in the exact environment you are describing. After decades there, the Christian based managerial style was replaced with a much more secular one. I was one of the highest paid nurses, not only at that hospital, but probably the entire system. I started to get written up for ridiculous rule violations that even supervisors didn't know. That was when I decided to leave. Only you know how you can persevere under short staff situations. Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Davey Do]

For what it's worth, here's my rather lengthy 2 cents.

Shoot, I would've paid a nickel, or maybe even more, for that post!

One good read chocked full of experience and wisdom!