Reprimanded for Getting too Personal With Patients

Dear Nurse Beth Advice Column - The following letter submitted anonymously in search for answers. Join the conversation!

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Dear Nurse Beth,

I just started nursing orientation a week ago at a rehab hospital on a unit where we get traumatic brain injury patients. I'm a nurse with nearly 17 years of experience but am fairly new to rehab nursing. It's only been my first week in this position, but have been called into the nurse manager's office.

She stated she was concerned with me. The nurse training me told her that in patient report I ask the patient's age and should have been more focused on the patient's problem. I understand being focused on patient diagnosis but felt like her bringing up me asking the patient's age was petty.

The nurse manager also brought up how a couple of my patients stated that I mentioned my FB and posting about my own recent hospitalization. This part concerned me more. The manager stated I shouldn't get too personal with the patients and should not mention my FB. I do understand and plan on not doing anymore. I just wonder if this is something I can come back from?? I worry being that it's so early on with this job that management is already finding something "wrong"??

Should I worry that I'm already getting a bad reputation with management?? I really want to succeed with this company and this position. I just wonder if this situation is something that management can use against me or look at me weird about?? Does this sound like something I should worry about? I really want my job!!

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Should I Worry,

Three things give cause for concern:

  • you are oversharing with your patients
  • your patients mentioned (complained?) about the oversharing
  • this all took place in the first week of employment

As to the other matter, I don't understand how asking a patient's age in and of itself is an issue-age should be included in report. Your preceptor might be using that as a "pile-on", though, or it may be her way of saying you are missing the big picture. You could talk to her to get better feedback.

The good news is that you really want your job, and you say you understand where your manager is coming from, so you should be able to redeem the situation. You need to align your performance with your employer's expectations, favorably impress your preceptor, and make sure your manager knows your efforts.

I would make time to let your manager know you appreciate her feedback and that you took it to heart. You enjoy working there and want to meet expectations.

With your patients and coworkers, be warm, be personable, but be professional. Don't let your guard down when you feel comfortable because it can backfire.

Best of luck with your new job.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in Rehab.

OK Nurse Beth. I still have concerns on this new job. I’m still in orientation but do not feel that my preceptor and manager have high expectations of me. They have mentioned that I don’t seem ready to be off by myself yet. I don’t think that I have proved myself to them yet? I really do want my job. 

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