Tired of this manager

[avado, BSN]

I am fed up with our interim manager. She is basically a wall. When I asked there is no policy or a failed order set with issues for patient safety, the answer why don't you make that policy for me? She is directing staff to work on projects that need to be done that have been neglected over the years. She pretty much just goes to meetings and probably takes the kudos. If anything, involving a physician issue on med reconcillation, she puts it back on our plate to tell the MD. It is hard to do since she doesn't want us to write occurrence reports but to solve it ourselves. I really don't have the energy. If you do write an occurrence report especially about a doctor you get the third degree.

WTH.

[JKL33]

It don't completely understand some of what you've said, but it sounds like there are things that could be improved. It's possible this could be an opportunity to have a voice in things - - for example, she may have said, "why don't you make that policy for me?" rhetorically or sarcastically or even seriously - but she may be willing to consider suggestions for ways nurses can have a voice in problem-solving and improving processes on the unit in general. She may even be willing to consider your solutions.

If you approached her with a "why don't we have ______?" attitude, I would rethink that. Not only is it not productive, but this isn't even her permanent role. If we want to be treated with respect, we have to make sure our words and actions convey respect, as well. I guarantee you that this person didn't create all of whatever problems there are on your unit. You don't have any information about what kudos she does or doesn't receive, so there's no reason to assume about any of that. It's rather possible that she's trying to get to all the meetings and meet basic obligations in a role she doesn't really have full ownership of. That can't be easy.

You could try approaching professionally and saying something like,

"I came across an issue the other day and wondered if it was something we could work on...."

or

"I have a safety concern - - is there a time we could talk about it for a few minutes?"

_______

Regarding incident reports, I use them sparingly, but when I decide something warrants one: Consider it done.