I have 32 years of nursing experience. For the past 5 years I have worked as the charge nurse on 3-11 on a very busy 34 bed med surg unit. My manager was the kind of person who just allowed sleeping dogs to lie, thinking that with time problems would either go away or just solve themselves. I am not that kind of person. I believe in rapid, direct response to issues when they occur, especially when related to patient safety. Let me state that in my 32 years I have never been terminated or demoted from a job. In my current position, I was always given glowing evaluations and have only two write up's in my file. One of those was for going around the chain of command to try to get badly needed wall suction devices for the floor to place at the bedside for patients on aspiration precautions. Can you imagine not having wall suction available in the hospital?
Late last week my manager pulled me off charge and this week, during a meeting with her and the director of nursing, they explained that "this was not disciplinary action. They were just worried about me and my stress level. It is ok to get pulled off charge. It happens to a lot of nurses and it is no big deal.". They offered me a staff nurse job on my floor even though there are no vacant positions. I declined and resigned effective immediately.
As I have been sitting here the past few days filling out job applications and reflecting on these events, I continue to wonder why managers are often so threatened by staff members who bring them problems. Not one time in the 5 years I was there did the manager EVER sit down with the charge nurses as a group and ask us what our problems were and how can we solve them together. She would never sit down and take any disciplinary action against an employee unless her hand was forced. Everything with her was always fine... no problems. When I was a manager I met with my charge nurses and nurse managers on a regular basis to discuss issues and solutions. When I had a nurse with talent I used that nurse to assist me with projects and to help with problem solving. I was not threatened. So, perhaps it was time to go, to do something else.
But I absolutely LOVED the hospital and the people I worked with. They were like my family and it is very hard to leave them.
In my current position, I was always given glowing evaluations and have only two write up's in my file. One of those was for going around the chain of command to try to get badly needed wall suction devices for the floor to place at the bedside for patients on aspiration precautions..
Ah, I remember that thread.
This situation occurs everywhere in coporate culture, and believe me I have been there before.
When your superiors are morons and your colleagues are sycophants, eventually you are going to have to either join one of those two categories or move on.
Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.
You know, I have been reflecting on this issue over the last few days. If they felt that I was too unstable to be the charge nurse then why would they not feel the same about my providing direct patient care? In this little "talk" they could not give me specific information nor did they offer to give me any opportunity for corrective action. I certainly would have welcomed any suggestions that they had. I am not a closed minded person. But I think my manager has the idea that she is going to place the younger male nurse into that position who has less experience and who is at a lower salary grade. She might be making a poor decision if she does this.
My gut instinct is generally pretty accurate, and it tells me a few things.
Your NM may have feared that you had the capability to do HER job, and wanted to get you out so that her boss would not see you as an option.
She was trying to eliminate her 'opponents'... she must be worried about her own job.
You can go anywhere and do whatever you would love in nursing! I am amazed at your decades of service and knowledge. You can teach- which, since you are a natural leader, I bet you would love (clinical atmosphere keeps you with patient care, too)...
but- you can also have a meeting with HER boss... now- I don't really know if it is a good idea or not- but maybe it could help somehow. You can go over her head if the problem you had was with her... but you have way more experience in this field than me, so take what I say with a grain of salt. :)
Although under the same circumstances I would have done the same thing, I am deeply sorrowed that you were such a thorn in this person's side that she felt she needed to do that to you. I certainly hope you can find a new employer who will appreciate your contributions.
Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.
But you know I did not want her job. I have done those jobs. I was very comfortable just being the charge nurse 4 days a week. The problem was that she HATED having a negative conversation with anyone and it was like pulling teeth to get her to talk to someone about a problem. I did not mind talking to a person but there comes a time when the manager has to step up and talk to them. In addition she never ever had a meeting with just the charge nurses to find out what our concerns were. Her meetings with the staff were 15 minutes, No time for any discussion. Her favorite saying was "it's all good" and she said it 100 times a day. Two weeks before my demotion she stayed over a few hours on my shifts for a few days. She told me later that it was great to work on my shift. It was like a well oiled machine. Everyone working, organized, stuff getting done, lights answered quick, patients happy. She told me we were the best, most organized shift. So how is it that you can be that good and two weeks later be demoted. Am I in the twilight zone?
Try not to overanalyze; patient care had nothing to do with it.
You weren't drinking the Kool Aid so you had to go.
I have to remember this one, it's perfect!!!:yeah:Exactly the way I felt when I was let go a few days ago. They had nothing bad to say about me. This is perfect.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
But you know I did not want her job. I have done those jobs. I was very comfortable just being the charge nurse 4 days a week. The problem was that she HATED having a negative conversation with anyone and it was like pulling teeth to get her to talk to someone about a problem. I did not mind talking to a person but there comes a time when the manager has to step up and talk to them. In addition she never ever had a meeting with just the charge nurses to find out what our concerns were. Her meetings with the staff were 15 minutes, No time for any discussion. Her favorite saying was "it's all good" and she said it 100 times a day. Two weeks before my demotion she stayed over a few hours on my shifts for a few days. She told me later that it was great to work on my shift. It was like a well oiled machine. Everyone working, organized, stuff getting done, lights answered quick, patients happy. She told me we were the best, most organized shift. So how is it that you can be that good and two weeks later be demoted. Am I in the twilight zone?
OMG, I could have written this myself. My DON is very sweet, she never wants to confront anyone, won't fire even the worst staff members, and REALLY doesn't want to hear anything negative. I couldn't help feeling sorry for her last week when our big "downsizing" move came and the Administrator and several other managers conveniently took their vacations at that very time.....even though I was one of those being downsized.
On the other hand---as the saying goes, if you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas. I've been in the DON/RCM position before, and to my sorrow I've been guilty of selling out my staff and patients in order to conform to the corporate party line. Finally, a couple of years ago I learned that I can't live like that, stopped drinking the Kool-aid, and went back to floor nursing. Now I call 'em as I see 'em.........funny how so many of us that got downsized were also the same ones who weren't content with the status quo and wouldn't let management ignore the issues. We were the ones who streamlined the paperwork, got the medical director on board with us on standing orders (and won a great deal of respect from him for our foresight), and complained when we were forced to work with incompetent, lazy, neglectful aides.
Diane227, I wish you all the best in your pursuit of your next job. I'm right there with you, out looking for a new job; and maybe it's just because I'm an eternal optimist, but I think you and I both will land on our feet. With wisdom, experience, and attitudes like ours, how can we not succeed somewhere?
Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.
I hope I get a job. I am 55. They are not looking for people my age. Because we cost too much. Plus, they look at my resume and they are immediately suspicious. I have so much management experience on my resume at the director level that they wonder why I am not doing that now. Why did I leave? It is always the very first question that they ask me. I have asked for an exit interview with the director of nursing but I have no reply from her. We are union here in Washington State but the union here is worthless in regard to a grievance. Plus, if they don't want me, I don't want to be there.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I know what you're saying. I'm 51 and have tons of management experience as well; in fact, I was just informed by one place that I was 'seriously overqualified' for the position I'd applied for. Mind you, this was a charge nurse position just like the one I've been working for the past 19 months........doesn't matter, I need to feed my family and pay my bills just like everyone else.
Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.
You know, I have been reflecting on this issue over the last few days. If they felt that I was too unstable to be the charge nurse then why would they not feel the same about my providing direct patient care? In this little "talk" they could not give me specific information nor did they offer to give me any opportunity for corrective action. I certainly would have welcomed any suggestions that they had. I am not a closed minded person. But I think my manager has the idea that she is going to place the younger male nurse into that position who has less experience and who is at a lower salary grade. She might be making a poor decision if she does this.
I think you hit the nail on the head~
I agree with all of the other posters opinions about the Kool Aid et all, however, in this economy unfortunatley it's all about the MONEY!:twocents::twocents:
Diane, what part of Washington State are you in? I am seriously considering a move out there this fall as my daughter lives in Auburn and works in Kent. I live in Fl now and Hate it.
How is the job market? any prospects for working as CM for insurance co. or some such thing? That's what I am doing now, don't really want to go back to bedside.
I had posted in another thread that my OR is currently targeting the more experienced nurses and techs..people that are leaders in their specialties and that have years of experience behind them. It is sad, and it's scary as all heck. They're nickel and diming them with write ups over small things, I think to push them out. We are a major trauma hospital-putting a new grad into some of these situations is a recipe for disaster.
OP, I'm sorry this happened to you but I'm sure you'll land on your feet..you deserve better than how they were treating you.
:twocents:
Intern67
357 Posts
Ah, I remember that thread.
This situation occurs everywhere in coporate culture, and believe me I have been there before.
When your superiors are morons and your colleagues are sycophants, eventually you are going to have to either join one of those two categories or move on.