Tattle Tail Traits in Nursing??

ilstu99 · Apr 3, 2008

Just my :twocents: ....

Most TT's remind me of one of the basic laws of parenting. You know, the "bad attention is better than no attention," rule. They don't feel secure enough within themselves, or they feel unnoticed/unappreciated, so they find a way to get the attention they need....and get their own kudos.

I imagine it starts early, and they become pretty good at reading their audiences. They can tell when the story isn't good enough to get the reaction they needed, so they keep adding information (true or not), until reach their goal. They're SO self-centered, that they don't even understand how they've victimized their targets. The target isn't important enough to worry about.

The downside for the victim is that there's usually a tiny shred of truth in the story. So we get called into the boss's office, and are accountable for our mistakes. I mean....everyone makes them....no big deal, right? Then the management starts to lay on the added details, and when you deny, you look like you're just CYA-ing.

IMO....management likes the TT, to a certain extent. They can "bust" the victim, and don't have to look like they're being mean. "Wellll....you know how TT is, right? We'll just ignore this like always. Just be careful, and don't do that thing again." :nono:

BrokenRNheart · Apr 3, 2008

Just my ....
Most TT's remind me of one of the basic laws of parenting. You know, the "bad attention is better than no attention," rule. They don't feel secure enough within themselves, or they feel unnoticed/unappreciated, so they find a way to get the attention they need....and get their own kudos.
I imagine it starts early, and they become pretty good at reading their audiences. They can tell when the story isn't good enough to get the reaction they needed, so they keep adding information (true or not), until reach their goal. They're SO self-centered, that they don't even understand how they've victimized their targets. The target isn't important enough to worry about.
The downside for the victim is that there's usually a tiny shred of truth in the story. So we get called into the boss's office, and are accountable for our mistakes. I mean....everyone makes them....no big deal, right? Then the management starts to lay on the added details, and when you deny, you look like you're just CYA-ing.
IMO....management likes the TT, to a certain extent. They can "bust" the victim, and don't have to look like they're being mean. "Wellll....you know how TT is, right? We'll just ignore this like always. Just be careful, and don't do that thing again."

I'm impressed. Well put.

Ya, it is so true. It is embarassing when you are lied about.

I have decided to claim insanity from now on. Go ahead. Lie about me. I have decided that I have multiple personalities and that thing that you said I did that I would normally say was a lie, I'm going to blame it on the other personality.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

On our unit we have instituted peer audits. We have a checklist to evaluate the previous shift. Were I&O's tallyed, Admit database complete and signed, IV tubing labeled and dated and current, etc.

We just started this while I was off. I flat out think our new NM and Educator are insane if they think this is a good idea. I personally think this is a waste of time and they want shift to shift wars. I feel like I am tattling on the previous nurse that they didn't do I&O no matter how busy she was, 2 pt and charge.

Oh well I guess most of the staff aren't doing it. I did it my first day back and I don't think I am going to continue.

I really think that the Educator dosen't want to do her job. I heard from someone when this was rolled out that she said she was sick of hearing how things don't get done so she thinks we should audit each other.

What a waste of time and energy.

BrokenRNheart · Apr 3, 2008

On our unit we have instituted peer audits. We have a checklist to evaluate the previous shift. Were I&O's tallyed, Admit database complete and signed, IV tubing labeled and dated and current, etc.
We just started this while I was off. I flat out think our new NM and Educator are insane if they think this is a good idea. I personally think this is a waste of time and they want shift to shift wars. I feel like I am tattling on the previous nurse that they didn't do I&O no matter how busy she was, 2 pt and charge.
Oh well I guess most of the staff aren't doing it. I did it my first day back and I don't think I am going to continue.
I really think that the Educator dosen't want to do her job. I heard from someone when this was rolled out that she said she was sick of hearing how things don't get done so she thinks we should audit each other.
What a waste of time and energy.

Another poor solution to the problem. Maybe things would get done if they staffed appropriately.

Where do these people come from? To actually believing starting harsh feelings against eachother and each shift. Then you will all start getting pulled into the office for not getting along.

That's what we usually did. When we didn't like something, we just refused to do it. KUDOS to all of you. How lame.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

i was a tattle tail growing up and my husband i had now have 6 little tattle tails of our own. i am a RN , and have been a long time..

i have a co-worker who is a charge nurse ( i am a charge nurse ) we switch off days.. and she is a tattle tail , she tells everything.. the nurse manager had to tell her to be quiet and stop telling everything...

she is doing much better and is able to keep a secret now.. for the most part

i just wanted to know .. broken Hearted have you been having trouble with tattle tails?? when i was growing up i was called " shelly telly"

my middle name is michelle... thank heaven i ougrew tattle tailing... for the most part...

HangTen! · Apr 3, 2008

Tattle tales are nothing more than mere "gossips" in my view and experience. Gossip is slanderous and damaging, it breeds ill will and discord. I am against it, and do not view the new checks and balances instituted on your unit as conducive to team work.

This is an example of why I prefer agency, I am able to stay out of the politics, esp co-dependent politics which this has the markings of.

Good luck to the op. Hopefully this will fly over as a bad idea soon. Then again, if no one participates.......it will lose steam rather quickly as well.

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

I really thought that the peer audits were stupid when I did the read and sign. My first thought after was who thought this was a good idea??? WTH are they thinking??? I am glad others see it as a bad idea also.

BrokenRNheart · Apr 3, 2008

i was a tattle tail growing up and my husband i had now have 6 little tattle tails of our own. i am a RN , and have been a long time..
i have a co-worker who is a charge nurse ( i am a charge nurse ) we switch off days.. and she is a tattle tail , she tells everything.. the nurse manager had to tell her to be quiet and stop telling everything...
she is doing much better and is able to keep a secret now.. for the most part
i just wanted to know .. broken Hearted have you been having trouble with tattle tails?? when i was growing up i was called " shelly telly"
my middle name is michelle... thank heaven i ougrew tattle tailing... for the most part...

I just feel that one of the problems with this field is the TT's. You can be busting your tail trying to do good work and anything little thing you do wrong goes straight to the manager as if there is a bug on you or videos watching you. But what is real interesting or common is how details are always added. As if the truth wasnt enough to get reprimanded....oh ya, so what..... I got a little cranky or I stood up to a rude employee (not that I even do it ENOUGH).

I got information today that was totally appauling! Outrageous. And I see this and have experienced it so much in this field I'm sickened by it. Oh well, seems the TT's prevail. But, they will have to meet their maker one day and they have to live with themselves.

I remember events and know that is not what happened. If I didn't I would seriously be thinking I had multiple personality disorder.

I am really beginning to wonder if THEY have MPD. Do they really believe their stories? And I have wondered why management feeds into it. Why is it whenever someone tells a story it is automatically true? I feel I need to start tattling to beat people to the punch but it's not my nature.

PM me if you want to hear this crazy story. I'm not posting it publicly yet. I will one day. I'm beginning to feel a little paranoid that my ex-employer is stalking me and watching me....just kidding. It's a lingering story from my past employment.

I finally got my nerves together and my head together to address the issues there and of course - same ol' same ol' - why do people do this? Why is it so common across this field? What is wrong with these people? Still needing attention as adults. Why don't they do the world a favor and get HELP? I'm beginning to think it's best to develop some major psych issues to survive in this field. Lying will be my first accomplishment so I can fit in. I am so honest it destroys me. I really need to take up lying. I see a lot of liars are very successful.

BrokenRNheart · Apr 3, 2008

Tattle tales are nothing more than mere "gossips" in my view and experience. Gossip is slanderous and damaging, it breeds ill will and discord. I am against it, and do not view the new checks and balances instituted on your unit as conducive to team work.
This is an example of why I prefer agency, I am able to stay out of the politics, esp co-dependent politics which this has the markings of.
Good luck to the op. Hopefully this will fly over as a bad idea soon. Then again, if no one participates.......it will lose steam rather quickly as well.

Someone else posted the ridiculous unit wide tattling protocol.

Come on TT's - get help. I do believe in Karma. I have noticed that some of the notorious award winning brown-nosers tend to be very miserable in their personal lives. They don't smile or laugh much and they are generally grumpy. Funny thing is that they don't think others see it because they are so busy slandering people that people just want to stay out of the light and don't do it back to them. Rest assured that while you succeeding in slandering me I am well aware that you are a very miserable person as I walk on and lick my wounds.

I give :trc:

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

Unit wide tattle protocol is my unit. I really think it is poor mgt , but what can I say? I just work there.

november17, ASN, RN · Apr 3, 2008

On our unit we have instituted peer audits. We have a checklist to evaluate the previous shift. Were I&O's tallyed, Admit database complete and signed, IV tubing labeled and dated and current, etc.
We just started this while I was off. I flat out think our new NM and Educator are insane if they think this is a good idea. I personally think this is a waste of time and they want shift to shift wars. I feel like I am tattling on the previous nurse that they didn't do I&O no matter how busy she was, 2 pt and charge.
Oh well I guess most of the staff aren't doing it. I did it my first day back and I don't think I am going to continue.
I really think that the Educator dosen't want to do her job. I heard from someone when this was rolled out that she said she was sick of hearing how things don't get done so she thinks we should audit each other.
What a waste of time and energy.

HAHAHAHAHA. Sorry I just found this completely insane. I can't believe it. I would just check "YES YES YES YES," They did everything...not because I am a nice guy, but just because I don't have time to sit around auditing the previous shift's chart (that's the chart nazi's job!!!!). No matter how much crap the previous shift gives me, or how much of a mess they leave on occasion, I would never rat out another nurse for not getting something done. Nursing is a 24/7 job and I try to have my team pristine when I leave, but God knows this isn't always possible. I know the offgoing nurse wants to leave just as bad as I do at the end of MY shift, so I don't hold anything against them!!!