RN -> interim Director -> Director -> pushed out. Could I, or should I, have helped?

[BeatsPerMinute, BSN, RN]

Reflecting and sharing random thoughts tonight ... 

I've worked in a few different units and hospitals in the last 7 years as a nurse. I've had amazing nurse directors and terrible ones.. Some bullied me. Some used me to gather info and use it against others. And it went round and round, causing hostility amongst the workplace... 

While training in an ICU new residency program years ago, I had one of the most AMAZING preceptors. I super appreciated his dry humor, calm demeanor, that he was always willing to help and teach the newbies. I still remember whilst working with him as a brand new nurse, and shared with him that I was struggling, plus distracted b/c I was nervous about my ECG course and the exam that I had to do the next day as part of my orientation. This preceptor listened to me. He corrected me, tested me, and reviewed the material with me. Next day I aced the exam. 

A few months go by and he was hired to be an interim director (until then, we did not have any sort of director ..) And he was a fantastic director. He advocated for our units needs. He was supportive. The humor was also helpful. 

During reviews, he pointed out my weaknesses and my strengths. I lacked tact, and still do, sometimes... and it would piss off other nurses. When those things happened, the director would request that we meet in the office asap to help remedy the situation.. I'd listen, accepted responsibility for my part, and asked for feedback from the director. At the end of the day it worked out very well! No hard feelings - and that other nurse and I actually grew pretty close and were always there to help eachother out. I learned a lot and grew a lot. This director also encouraged me to do XYZ things and as a young nurse I was eager to get those things done. I accomplished so much while under his direction. I was enthusiastic. I liked that there was a balance that existed between correction and encouragement. I never felt like I was unfairly treated. 

Less than two years later, I noticed the director appeared to be under immense pressure... His demeanor changed a bit towards everyone. He became less humorous. He was not overtly disrespectful or anything ... Over time he was just different. I remember vividly seeing him scramble to do all of these random little things to ensure everything appeared PERFECT on the unit. Not too long after that, he was gone. 

Looking back, I wonder what happened there. IDK what things look like on the leadership end of things. I have regularly seen both the good ones and bad ones being driven out one way or another.

Sometimes I feel badly because he gave me a chance... and I didn't know how I could have helped him back. 

Anyone experience anything like this? Has anyone felt like they should stand by their directors when they are good ones? Or is it actually best to keep a distance, even when they stood by your side when YOU were the underdog?

Such a weird thing ? 

[Katy1]

Unfortunately, when people move up to administrator positions, they have a different role and the patients become numbers and budgets. In my professional career, I try not to do too many management roles because I feel I can make a bigger difference while advocation on the floor.

Go with your gut on any conversation or support you would like to give. Sometimes just mentioning you noticed they appear more stressed, makes them take a look at it. If your manager/director is stressed, it trickles down unfortunately. Good Luck

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

By the nature of the professional environment, there aren't many things you could have done in this situation. When peers are promoted through an organization, their professional relationship with nurses that were colleagues, but now are their reports, has to change. You would have supported your director best by being a good employee. Broaching a subject about something like a change in his demeanor would likely have been difficult, and potentially inappropriate. Whether it was the stresses of a job change, with new focuses on different aspects of care, or potentially changes in his personal life, it probably would have been inappropriate for him to have those conversations. 

[SmilingBluEyes]

Managers/directors often are a buffer between Administration and staff, and this is an unenviable position. I know, I did it. So much pressure to please so many can really quickly lead to a special kind of moral distress.

I would bet that is what was going on with him.