The happy policy

[Tepidorchid]

There's apparently a policy in our workplace, a new one that says something along the line of; Anyone who appears drained, unenthusiastic, unhappy in anyway etc. can be asked by the manager to leave that work day in order to reflect on their behavior. Thoughts? Do you have a policy like this?

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

That is the dumbest policy I have ever come across, especially seeing as how overloaded and unappreciated some nurses are on a day to day basis.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

is it any wonder nursing is unable to achieve the status of educated health care professional? if this is how we are treated by our employers, we will never see the respect we deserve.

the "happy policy" and color-coded scrubs . . . just two more ways of disrespecting nurses.

[Guest372004]

I wouldn't mind color coded scrubs if............they provide them.

[Poi Dog]

I will put on a perpetually happy face if and when management starts treating myself and my coworkers exceptionally well. Until then....phssshh

[Lynx25, LPN]

*Snerk*

I can't see this actually being enforced.

We have a uber-bubbly aide at work, who think's it's her job to flounce around, flirt with any male who walks through the door, and baby-talk at all of the patients.

My lovely 102 year old patient looked at her... looked at me... folded her hands and said: "SugarBear, you need to calm yourself before someone finds you unattractive!" I almost died... I love that lady.

[tiroka03, LPN]

One of the lets get happy things they did at my job was to have management in their high heels throw little balls to the nurses and laught. Thankfully I work nights. But, I witnessed one time and when the DON turned around the nurse took off and threw the ball and hit the DON hard on the head. Now, that made us all a little happy. Of course you didn't see a single grin on anyone's face.

[suanna]

I'm pretty when the supervisor showed up-there would be a chorus of moans..we'd get sent home and be seen skipping and laughing down the hall and out the door to reflect on our behavior over drinks and snacks at the local bar! Seriously! I did actually work for a company that could send us home to reflect on our behavior, it was a source of great amusement for everyone but the top administrators who took it terribly seriously. (snort)

Could you get it included in your compensation package that they had to pick up the tab for the first round of drinks at the local bar as you reflected on your behavior?

[exnavygirl-RN]

I'll make sure I skip merrily from room to room singing the joys of exploding diarrhea and residents pee'ing on the floor. Yay me! I go to work in a nice mood. I'm no where close to being giddy or perky. Phony perkiness just creeps me out.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

the "happy policy" and color-coded scrubs . . . just two more ways of disrespecting nurses.

we aren't color-coded (yet), but i do it anyway. 90% of my scrubs are navy pants/white top. at least it makes my life easier - one less decision to make.

in other news, if i got sent home to "reflect"... i'd be reflecting alright - on how to word my resignation letter and update my resume.

[nursel56]

I'll make sure I skip merrily from room to room singing the joys of exploding diarrhea and residents pee'ing on the floor. Yay me! I go to work in a nice mood. I'm no where close to being giddy or perky. Phony perkiness just creeps me out.

:lol2: Great visual! Maybe you could carry a basket of chux and adult briefs to cheerfully dispense as you skip from room to room, lol.

[aachavez]

Keep thinking of them in terms of squid. Spineless, live in the dark, are always down too deep to be seen, and stink if it gets too hot.

OHhh too funny lol....

I was miserable .... MISERABLE at my peon job in corporate america. I had to go on anti anxiety/anti depresants just to get thru work. I was literally exhausted from faking happy all the time. One day I was upset over MORE micro managing, and had what was interpreted as an 'emotional outburst'. Anyhow, next day I came into work I got fired becuase of my attitude.

(tho it turns out it's the best thing that's ever happened to me, I just got accepted to nursing school and start full time in January, I'm stoked!!!)

This rule is ridiculous. Yes, it's fair that they expect you to be curteous and proffesional while at work, but this is going just a bit too far. Recognize people for all the good stuff they do, and moral will improve... ughh a girl can dream right???

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

We used to hate it...absolutely hate it...when our managers would go off to an IT conference. There would invariably be some idiot with a seminar on "improving employee retention" (just beside the "reduce headcount your way to higher bonuses" seminar). They'd practically want us to group hug and sing "Kumbaya" just after being told he's reducing headcount 5% per month for the next 6 months, and so 3 out of 10 of us are going to be unemployeed -- and he'd wonder why we didn't walk in the door singing "Oh what a beautiful morning."

As a nurse, we've had the "hand out fuzzies if you give me a warm fuzzy," "stars for star players" "Wings for shift angels" and god knows what all. Same stuff, just useless BS out of a management magazine somewhere. Now, we apparently have the "Stepford Wife" theory of nursing practice....

Probably my biggest pet peeve in nursing. I despise useless BS. It reminds me of kindergarten. "star players!" bla bla bla. Im a realist, im a good nurse and I get the job done well. I dont need someone shoving cutesy cutesy huggy huggy crap down my throat. Im not here to hold my angel Nurse friends hands and sing and dance in a circle. How about ill help you, you help me, we get the job done and things taken care of. Dont get me wrong, I do believe in employee recognition for a job well done, or a "hey way to make it through a tough shift, you handeled it great!', but the cutesy crap I just can not handle