1. Always believe the worst about your subordinates, no matter how glowing a reputation or history of competence they may have. Never give anybody the benefit of the doubt.
2. Never praise or give an "attaboy", and always discipline for any minor infractions. Floor nurses are not allowed to be human.
3. Always wield your power like the hammer of Thor.
4. Be as acerbic and abrasive as possible in all dealings with your subordinates.
5. The patient, er, customer is always right, no matter how confused or crazy or vindictive or evil they may be. Patient satisfaction scores are more important than the truth.
6. Clinical nurse leaders do not make mistakes. Only non-management nurses do.
7. Always make sure that your employees shudder in fear at the sight of you; smiling is not allowed.
8. Always be sure to forget what it was like to work on the floor with actual, you know, patients.
9. Always work your hardest to make your subordinates feel as bad as possible about themselves and their chosen career, no matter how much they pour their heart, soul, and mind into it.
Just a few tidbits I've learned from working at a world-famous magnet hospital that strives for "nursing excellence" and attracts "the best and the brightest."
My question is, Was it always this way? Why or why not? And does it always have to be this way?
