Should I tattle?

[beachmom]

There is a nurse, "Janet", who worked at my hospital for years, was a traveler for awhile and now has been rehired and is working as a charge nurse.

I floated to her unit last Friday and had a horrible night. She kept dumping stuff on me. I ended up with six patients, one died, one was an admit, and a couple others were quite ill and needed lots of care. At one point my patient had an important need, and she took a half hour to help me. I was running so much, I was not really safe with my patients. She had less than half the work I did. We had someone we could call in, and I asked her several times. She refused, because then "we'd get all the admits that night." (There was only one more admit in the hospital that night.) I got overtime that night trying to get finished, and she was still charting when I left!?

I wasn't going to say anything to the manager. It was just one bad night. I don't want to tattle just because I don't get along with someone. Also, I don't want to get on the bad side of "Janet."

Then I talked with older nurses who worked with her in the past, and they have all said she is horrible to work with, dumps work on others. They say "I can't believe they hired her back." One said she often was not safe - she would watch other people's patients and they would "have a seizure" or "turn blue" or something to cause a big work up to be done - like an odd Munchhausen syndrome.

Do I go to the manager? My experience was just one bad night, but other people are saying things that aren't safe for patients. Do I tell her what others are saying? She is on that 90 day probation for being on a new job, so it would be easy for the manager to let her go.

[GGT1]

You had six patients and you are complaining. I mean I realize you had a difficult night with a death and all, but really??? How many patients do you normally have at night?

[belgarion]

You said she didn't want to call in help because then your unit would get all the admissions. This would imply that there is a grid system or other staff to pt. ratio in place. You say they hospital only had one admission that night. My question is whose turn was it to carry the crystal ball that would have told her that there would only be one and not five or six admissions?

I think you should save the "tattling" for something than can be quantified and verified.

[caliotter3]

At least wait until it is the third time in a row that you are "dumped on" by Janet, so that you can establish that this is a pattern of behavior for her, before you report anything. And as long as you use the word "tattle" in your own mind, it is best not to report anything at all.

[back2bRN]

Tattle, no, especially after only one night of working with "Janet". You said that you were basically calling it a bad night until you HEARD what the other nurses were saying....... be forewarned but make your own opinion.You will likely work with her again and then you keep your wits about you, as well as being diligent with your patient load. You do have to establish a pattern, and you should talk to her directly. This isn't high school and you are a professional.

[mazy]

You say you floated to her unit so no matter what was going on it would have been a difficult night.

For her and for you, because while you were dealing with an unfamiliar unit she was also dealing with a nurse who was not completely familiar with the rhthyms of her unit.

I am a staff float nurse and I always go in knowing that it's going to be hard staying on top of whatever is going on with that unit, no matter how many times you have floated there. It's the nature of the job.

Also, the word is "discuss," not "tattle."

[OldNurseEducator]

I agree with the above post. Confront (talk with) Janet. I'd have been talked about behind my back (haven't we all been?) and I didn't like the drama. Be kind to Janet. Maybe if you are kind and patient, she'll improve with your help and friendship. Don't believe all the other nurses...it's probably inflated gossip! Good luck!

[Ariyala]

We've all had our busy nights. Maybe she was "dumping" on you and maybe she wasn't. If you think she needs to be written up, do so, but only from YOUR point of view, observations, and facts. You can't "tattle" (hmm I agree with other posters, aren't we adults?) on someone about things that others tell you.

Wish you luck! :-)

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

Op, you have been advised to confront "Janet"; you can only confront her about issues that you have with her. You certainly can't raise issues that other people have with her. If she is being accused behind her back of things that you personally have not seen, her accusers should gird up their loins and tackle her themselves. My advice to you is, the next time you hear one of these stories, tell the narrator to do something about it, and not bother you with fairy tales.

You probably know from your own first-hand experience how difficult it is to be a new nurse in an apparently hostile environment, especially when you've been given the charge responsibility. New employees far too frequently are subjected to unfriendly attitudes from "old" staff, especially when these attitudes are tinged with jealousy.

As for the "strange kind of Munchausen's", precisely what are your colleagues implying? That "Janet" has attempted to murder more than one patient? Those are very serious allegations, and if your colleagues have concrete reason to believe them, it is their duty to carry it forward. Or are they suggesting that she has some evil mental power capable of inducing respiratory arrest? Perhaps galloping BO....?

[indigonurse]

IMHO time is of the essence when it comes to reporting something like this. Might be better to wait and if this event happens again with Janet or anyone else then just call a house supervisor immediately to make sure the pts. stay safe.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Lately I've been seeing many posts of this nature. It's truly distressing that people are so ready to attempt to ruin some one's career after only one night of (I will use the word cautiously)......observation. It's almost as if you're chomping at the bit in anticipation of blowing the blaggard out the the water.

It's always the charge who gets it. With experience you will come to realize that the charge has many duties and responsibilities far beyond your current perception. When they say "it's lonely at the top" it is. Charge nurses are often seen as not "doing anything" and are easy targets for overstressed employees. Then the gossip starts and everyone has a hay day viserating and planning the demise of someone who in most instances is still charting while everyone else goes home.

Oh yes there are the bad ones but it sounds like this one is good. Give her a chance since it sounds like everyone else isn't going to. Maybe sit down and ask her about what it is that is different from what you do; be prepared, she may bend your ear or choose to stay distant. Many choose to be distant due to forming friendships is hard when you have to oversee friends. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but in my experience it's uncommon.

I know you have been razzed for using the word tattle but maybe you can turn it around and be the adult and understanding coworker this charge needs to help run a smooth unit. Look at her again without all the gossip mongering and resentment; you may see a person who is only trying to survive just like you but has a whole lot more responsibillty then you. Understanding is key; compassion required.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

1. I'm sorry you had a bad night. However, bad nights happen even under the best of charge nurses, so before you scream foul to anyone (Janet or superiors), I agree with Caliotter3: see if it happens at least two more times, so you know for certain that Janet is dumping on you.

2. If you do feel compelled to talk to a superior about Janet, only talk about your experiences working with Janet. Leave everyone else out of it...and more importantly, leave what everyone has been telling you about her out of it. Telling the superiors what people have been saying about Janet will blow up in your face: they may accuse YOU of spreading rumors about her...especially when you say "X and Y told me this about Janet"--I can guarantee that if asked about it, both X and Y will deny ever saying it. Worse, your coworkers will also think you're a rumormonger: even though they're talking about her, you're the one who's saying it to management.

Best of luck.

[LouisVRN, RN]

If you feel very strongly about this, then I would talk to Janet, keep it factual and specific. Additionally, tell her what you'd like her to do in the future to make your working relationship work. "When I tell you I need help, I would like you to respond in a timely manner.

If the other nurses who are gossiping about a "code blue" and "seizure" are concerned that she is putting patients at risk encourage them to take their concerns to management.

When you said that you were overwhelmed, did you make it clear to Janet that you needed her to help you and what you wanted her to do? As a charge nurse, saying "I'm overwhelmed" is venting, saying "It would really help me if you could give Pt. X 4mg of morphine and some fresh ice water for me".