things management says

oramar · Sep 22, 2009

That is exactly how most of them think, at least that particular supervisor is being honest. What it means is that their jobs depend on their keeping their clueless, upper level management Gods happy. I hope there is a hell and even though I might be there myself, at least I will get to watch all these management types roast. Recently I talked to a friend that continue to work at a unit that I left because I thought the manager was a stinker. This person related something that the manager did that was so rotten to her staff that even I was shocked. Meanwhile, this particular manager thinks of herself a "good" person and shows up at Church on Sunday all the time. I don't know how they do it, I don't know how they sell out like that.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2009

The worst I heard was from my recent administrator when I questioned the way she responded to something regarding one of my staff. (I was the DON) Her response was "Because I'm the boss and I can do or say what I want!!" Blew my mind, I told her at that moment well ok, walked over to my purse as we were in my office, and pulled out my written resignation. :) On my last day I told her why I resigned and she denied ever saying it - until I let her listen to herself saying it on my voice memo recording that was on my phone!!! It was worth it to see the reddened and embarrassed face showing "Your busted" :smackingf (I love technology lol)

DeLana_RN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2009

The worst I heard was from my recent administrator when I questioned the way she responded to something regarding one of my staff. (I was the DON) Her response was "Because I'm the boss and I can do or say what I want!!" Blew my mind, I told her at that moment well ok, walked over to my purse as we were in my office, and pulled out my written resignation. :) On my last day I told her why I resigned and she denied ever saying it - until I let her listen to herself saying it on my voice memo recording that was on my phone!!! It was worth it to see the reddened and embarrassed face showing "Your busted" :smackingf (I love technology lol)

Well, we did work for the same company, even in the same state. My RM was evil (no exaggeration, I thought she wouldn't last long - I was wrong, which is why I would never consider to go back to outpt dialysis!), and it sounds like yours had some serious issues... maybe that's how "they" like them?!

DeLana

Sonia,RN · Sep 23, 2009

"We hear your concerns, and we will address them at our next -----meeting."

After which, of course, things go on as before.

Also,

"That's not in our budget for this year, but we'll look at next year."

dscrn · Sep 23, 2009

regarding a serious ventilation problem in the department "it wasn't broken, and we fixed it" When we went over her head, and Infection control nurse what we were being exposed to...we were quickly admonished NOT to contact her-all information would go thru HN. When we asked the HN, her response "you're asking the wrong person, I don't know anything about that!"

diane227, LPN, RN · Sep 25, 2009

Well, I have to say (not tooting my own horn here) but in all my years of management I never said anything like that to the people who worked with me (and you know, as a manager, you are only as good as the people who work for you. They make or break you). When I was a nurse manager or director I was in the middle and there were times that we had to do stuff we did not like but my goal was to always try to figure out a way to do something in way that would cause the least amount of pain to the staff. After all, who needs another form to fill out or another policy to follow. I always thought that my main job was to be an advocate for the people who worked for me because I truly believe that if the staff is happy the patients will be happy and well taken care of. Now that does not mean that we get to do what ever we want to when we want to do it. But it means that people are treated in a fair, respectful manner and the rules apply to everyone. We try to solve problems together and when someone comes up with a good idea to make it easier to get the work done we do it and give credit to the person who came up with that great idea. We make sure that we have all the equipment and supplies that we need to do our job. We have open communication and we respect each other. We don't gossip and bite each other in the back. And when you know what hits the fan we all pull up our boots and jump in together and then go out for a beer afterward.

You know, it is not hard to have a positive workplace. It is not hard to have fun at work, even when it is busy. It is just a matter of mutual respect and having a manager that sets the tone for the unit. You do not automatically get respect just because you have a title after your name. You have to earn it. And you have to give people room to do their jobs. You can't micromanage people. 99% of every person who comes to work every day, come in with the idea that they are going to do a good job. They don't come in with the idea that they are just going to be a screw up today.

A good manager has got to be willing to confront problems when they come up, deal with problems in an up front manner, discipline when necessary and go to bat for people when required. I am always surprised when I hear these horror stories about managers. It is sad, because it does not need to be that way.

ONCRN84 · Sep 25, 2009

I have to say that I've been very fortunate to have great managers. The first unit I worked on was very positive and we had a lot of good times. I moved and I'm kind of nervous about my new unit.

allnurses Guide · Sep 25, 2009

Well, I have to say (not tooting my own horn here) but in all my years of management I never said anything like that to the people who worked with me (and you know, as a manager, you are only as good as the people who work for you. They make or break you). When I was a nurse manager or director I was in the middle and there were times that we had to do stuff we did not like but my goal was to always try to figure out a way to do something in way that would cause the least amount of pain to the staff. After all, who needs another form to fill out or another policy to follow. I always thought that my main job was to be an advocate for the people who worked for me because I truly believe that if the staff is happy the patients will be happy and well taken care of. Now that does not mean that we get to do what ever we want to when we want to do it. But it means that people are treated in a fair, respectful manner and the rules apply to everyone. We try to solve problems together and when someone comes up with a good idea to make it easier to get the work done we do it and give credit to the person who came up with that great idea. We make sure that we have all the equipment and supplies that we need to do our job. We have open communication and we respect each other. We don't gossip and bite each other in the back. And when you know what hits the fan we all pull up our boots and jump in together and then go out for a beer afterward.
You know, it is not hard to have a positive workplace. It is not hard to have fun at work, even when it is busy. It is just a matter of mutual respect and having a manager that sets the tone for the unit. You do not automatically get respect just because you have a title after your name. You have to earn it. And you have to give people room to do their jobs. You can't micromanage people. 99% of every person who comes to work every day, come in with the idea that they are going to do a good job. They don't come in with the idea that they are just going to be a screw up today.
A good manager has got to be willing to confront problems when they come up, deal with problems in an up front manner, discipline when necessary and go to bat for people when required. I am always surprised when I hear these horror stories about managers. It is sad, because it does not need to be that way.

Diane, I really like your post and I so, so wish that more managers would take these things to heart. It would seem to be common sense, but so few in management of ALL companies don't seem to get it that the well-being of those who are "where the rubber meets the road" can make or break an organization. One company I worked for had a President who would come around every few months and just talk to us to get our impressions of how things were going and get our ideas. I mean, how hard is that to do? It may have been a BS stunt but he did take the time which I appreciate to this day.

The only thing I would take slight issue with is that a good manager can always re-set a dysfunctional unit. Sometimes she can't, and sometimes he or she can become physically ill staying too long at these places before finally throwing in the towel.

Again, though, kinda wish you could clone yourself. :)

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 26, 2009

well, i have to say (not tooting my own horn here) but in all my years of management i never said anything like that to the people who worked with me (and you know, as a manager, you are only as good as the people who work for you. they make or break you). when i was a nurse manager or director i was in the middle and there were times that we had to do stuff we did not like but my goal was to always try to figure out a way to do something in way that would cause the least amount of pain to the staff. after all, who needs another form to fill out or another policy to follow. i always thought that my main job was to be an advocate for the people who worked for me because i truly believe that if the staff is happy the patients will be happy and well taken care of. now that does not mean that we get to do what ever we want to when we want to do it. but it means that people are treated in a fair, respectful manner and the rules apply to everyone. we try to solve problems together and when someone comes up with a good idea to make it easier to get the work done we do it and give credit to the person who came up with that great idea. we make sure that we have all the equipment and supplies that we need to do our job. we have open communication and we respect each other. we don't gossip and bite each other in the back. and when you know what hits the fan we all pull up our boots and jump in together and then go out for a beer afterward.
you know, it is not hard to have a positive workplace. it is not hard to have fun at work, even when it is busy. it is just a matter of mutual respect and having a manager that sets the tone for the unit. you do not automatically get respect just because you have a title after your name. you have to earn it. and you have to give people room to do their jobs. you can't micromanage people. 99% of every person who comes to work every day, come in with the idea that they are going to do a good job. they don't come in with the idea that they are just going to be a screw up today.
a good manager has got to be willing to confront problems when they come up, deal with problems in an up front manner, discipline when necessary and go to bat for people when required. i am always surprised when i hear these horror stories about managers. it is sad, because it does not need to be that way.

unfortunately, i've run into very few gifted managers in my career. you sound as though you'd be one of the good ones.

i think that part of the problem is that nurse managers are usually not hired beause they're gifted at management. they're hired -- or promoted from within -- because they have good reviews as bedside nurses, they interview well and the staff likes them. or at least, the most vocal and influential of staff members like them. none of that means they can manage and, in the past anyway, most nurse managers had very little management training. many managers promoted from within concentrated on keeping their friends happy thinking that what was best for their friends was best for the unit. or maybe they were just so overwhelmed by all of their new responsibilities that they let their friends tell them what was or was not working . .

i don't think nurse managers start out to be evil or uncaring people. most of the time, new managers are just nurses like us (with a touch more "ambition" maybe) thrust into a position for which they find they are woefully unprepared. and in trying to keep their bosses happy, they lose sight of what it was like to be at the bedside. or maybe they haven't lost sight of it, but the realities are that they must do something bedside nurses find unpalatable and aren't able to adequately communicate to their staff the reasons for and inevitability of the change.

one last thought: following the rules seems to be an antiquated notion these days. yet there is no better way to ensure that all staff members are treated fairly than following the rules and applying them equally.