To tattle tale or not tattle tale... that is the question.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hey all.

There are quite a few nurses on my unit who have scored points with management and made a select group of other nurses look pretty bad by ratting out on them about pretty small insignificant stuff like so and so didn't date her lines or so and so didn't put one assessment in the computer for q 1hr neuro checks or so and so didn't have time to change her lines (because, well so and so admitted a 1:1 pt at 17:30 while still keeping the other stable pt anyway) and then there's always the arcane so and so didn't follow SICU protocol z even though she used critical thinking to solve the problem and advised the residents immediately, etc.

I've NEVER been a snitch for little stuff that didn't compromise the pt. As such, I have ended up protecting a few of the nurses who have now turned into snitch nurses. They are well respected not because they don't make mistakes but because the rest of us aren't petty enough to report them.

Well at any rate there are quite a few of them on my unit and I don't want to start biyatching about them but I'm tired of helping them look squeeky clean at the expense of others including myself and my friends.

Lately, one of my friends received a pretty crappy eval because of this phenomenon. She's more over it than I am... but my strong sense of justice is not letting me let go.

Any thoughts?

Specializes in ICU, nutrition.

"Like I said there are many other good nurses who totally agree with my analysis but they either grin and bear it or quit the unit. No effort is made to actually change the situation. I want so badly to quit but I need 2 years of SICU experience to apply to CRNA school and I'm one year in."

Let me see if I've got this straight. You've worked in this unit for 1 year and you expect to come to work every day and get a "good" assignment. One that you will learn something from so that when you apply for CRNA school in a year that it will help you get in. One that is "cushy," and maybe even have an orientee "to do your work for you." And then you get one of those "good" patients, a sick 1:1 at the end of the shift and you're upset because you didn't get enough help. So you're unhappy with your assignment if it's too easy and you're upset with your assignment if it's too hard.

Would it be better if all those nurses who are planning on staying at the bedside forever to get the crappy patients that you won't learn anything from so you can get those really sick 1:1s so you'll get the experience you need for anesthesia school? Or would it be better if there was some sort of reward for working in a unit for several months or years? Maybe it would be nice if your seniority counted for something.

I came into ICU as a new grad. I worked at one hospital for a year and a half and had just started getting the "good" patients when we moved. I've been at this hospital for almost two years and I'm just now starting to get the "good" patients. And some days I get the "bad" patients. And I try to learn something (and usually do) from every patient I take care of. Even the yucky MRSA isolations and GI bleeds. Even when I have to take both of my patients to MRI or CT.

So maybe you should quit feeling sorry for yourself, try to make friends with the queen bee, and learn from every patient you take care of instead of whining about your assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER (new), Respitory/Med Surg floor.
"Like I said there are many other good nurses who totally agree with my analysis but they either grin and bear it or quit the unit. No effort is made to actually change the situation. I want so badly to quit but I need 2 years of SICU experience to apply to CRNA school and I'm one year in."

Let me see if I've got this straight. You've worked in this unit for 1 year and you expect to come to work every day and get a "good" assignment. One that you will learn something from so that when you apply for CRNA school in a year that it will help you get in. One that is "cushy," and maybe even have an orientee "to do your work for you." And then you get one of those "good" patients, a sick 1:1 at the end of the shift and you're upset because you didn't get enough help. So you're unhappy with your assignment if it's too easy and you're upset with your assignment if it's too hard.

Would it be better if all those nurses who are planning on staying at the bedside forever to get the crappy patients that you won't learn anything from so you can get those really sick 1:1s so you'll get the experience you need for anesthesia school? Or would it be better if there was some sort of reward for working in a unit for several months or years? Maybe it would be nice if your seniority counted for something.

I came into ICU as a new grad. I worked at one hospital for a year and a half and had just started getting the "good" patients when we moved. I've been at this hospital for almost two years and I'm just now starting to get the "good" patients. And some days I get the "bad" patients. And I try to learn something (and usually do) from every patient I take care of. Even the yucky MRSA isolations and GI bleeds. Even when I have to take both of my patients to MRI or CT.

So maybe you should quit feeling sorry for yourself, try to make friends with the queen bee, and learn from every patient you take care of instead of whining about your assignment.

See WHY is everyone CATTY!!!! I don't understand! There is a difference whining about an assignment and being dumped on or given an assignment when you are relatively new. Yes you don't allways get a nice assignment and you do complain if it's good or bad at times but seriously the OP sounds like got hit hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The trouble when we allow our peers to tattle, it gets vindictive and nobody stops it...is it turns into bullying and mobbing. I agree with Ruby as far as peer review...the worst of the worst can gravitate to that committee in toxic facilities...at least those I've seen. :(

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good folks to do nothing. If we continue to let it go unchallenged even when it gets toxic, we play a passive role. The decent managers who aren't savvy enough to know the extent this is going on need to hear about it. Their good nurses need to speak to her. She may be hoping it blows over. Educate her.

If the manager knows and excuses or feeds into it...well, her cards are on the table arent' they...and you have a decision...put up or move on. I'd do the latter...I have the same sense of justice you do Bluesky and it would eat at me.

I WOULD give my manager a chance by speaking to her and express my concern about what this does for morale over time. The response I got would dictate my next act. And it has.

Good luck to you...I know what it feels like to work in this kinda place.Its like a cancer that erodes the spirit and enjoyment of the job over time. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First, let me defend Ruby, it is very difficult to have a split assignment in a multiple bed room. If the nurse assigned to the 2 other patients never shows her face, then it is difficult to deny some treatment to the patients of the other nurse. Now, Ruby should not have to give meds, clean poop, do a dressing or even hang IV's. But assisting the patient to turn, get OOB, move in the bed, even get fresh water is something you often find yourself doing. I have been there and the only thing you can do is, say, hey I think your patients in room xxxx need to see you. If she does not move, then tell the patient you are not their nurse and have informed their nurse of their needs. It usually does cause trouble but it happens frequently.

I had the distinction of being written up for following policy. Yes, that was a real eye-opening experience. We had a policy regarding med counts, if I had counted earlier, I was not supposed to count again, except if I found a mistake in the amount, for at least 24 hours. I was assigned to do another count on a regular shift, there were at least 3 other nurses who had not counted in 3 days. They were just sitting and gabbing at the desk. I removed my name from the count list, I told them to figure out which one was due to count, the CN wrote me up. I was called into the HN office for a talk, she told me what it was for and I excused myself, got the policy book, showed the HN the policy, then I reported the HN, the CN, and the 3 nurses to the CNO for not following policy and discrimination. It was so stupid, I was assigned because the other nurses were too busy??? It was just an oversight and I did not need to remove my name, I should have done what I was assigned to do, the list went on and on. I told them the policy was clear, the other nurses were just gabbing at the desk, no biggie but I had counted that AM and was not supposed to do another count until next day. I stated the reason for this policy was a really big mistake in narc count for days that went unnoticed and drugs were never accounted for, I felt the CN was not assigning fairly the count and the HN did not follow the facility policy fairly. I did move on but I will never forget this. I was not in this particular units click. I did my job and had been given an award and this burned the CN because she had been reported by several patients and families for being rude and nasty. Seems like no matter what type of nurse you are, some units are just toxic and only people with poison for blood survive on these units.

Managers say they do not listen to complaints that are unfounded but they do. I have seen nurses written up for not giving meds to an NPO patients, not changing a dressing the physician ordered to be reinforced only, giving pain meds to a dying ca patient 20 minutes early, and for obtaining supplies as ordered by a physician for a patients wound packing. It makes a bad taste in your mouth for nursing and everything that goes with it. :angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
........................I was told by the nurse educator that this unit was like a revolving door and I didn't understand why. Well, I think I understand now..............................................................................

Oh don't I know that line all too well. In 2003, I was told the same thing about the unit I ended up deciding to give a "chance at" working on. BIG mistake! :uhoh3: I "revolved" myself right on out of there after almost a year of stress-filled drama.:rolleyes: Do NOT settle for crap like that. There is no way I want to climb out of my warm bed, leave my comfy home environment filled with peace and tranquility to spend more than twelve hours in a TOXIC work environment. :nono:

Penny Lane........protect your license and your sanity. :icon_hug:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I deserve to work in places that hire adults who know how to handle themselves as adults, so I refuse to ever work in a nasty environment such as that ever again.

Good for you!! Does such a place exist? That must be nursing nirvana!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

[quote name=

So maybe you should quit feeling sorry for yourself, try to make friends with the queen bee, and learn from every patient you take care of instead of whining about your assignment.[/quote]

Catty & rude, the exact attitude that makes nursing such a dog-eat-dog environment.

Now, to Bluesky, I too struggle in a less than ideal work environment. There are 10 nurses in our small ED & you are either on team A or on team B. I realized after several months of working here that these people are my co-workers, they are not my chosen friends. I come to work, I do the best job that I can - and yes, I make mistakes, yes, I have been written up for petty BS- I take care of my patients, collect my check & get home to my REAL life as quickly as I can.

There have been issues & incidents along the way that I do not agree with, my best advice to you is to choose your battles.

I hope things get better for you ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Good for you!! Does such a place exist? That must be nursing nirvana!

I sure hope so because I've been researching such a place since April...all while being out of work. I'd rather die than be walked on ever again. :stone

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why did you do all of this for her? Why did you think it was your job to clean her patient when she was just sitting around?

Personally, I think it's more important to not neglect the patient than to get caught up in your interpersonal relationships at work. It's not the patient's fault that there's conflict going on, and it might not be taken care of by the person the patient is assigned to. I do agree that it shouldn't be her responsibility to do someone else's work, but the patients shouldn't have to suffer because of internal conflict.

I think it's very important to continue to be compassionate in our times of distress. It shows the true measure of a nurse when they show how they react under the worse situations. :nurse: So please don't forget to be compassionate to patients, regardless of who they "belong" to. No one's perfect, but remember who you're there to help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Cute CNA;

Your post is a good example of what nursing should be, but when a nurse has an already full assignment, is doing her job and is very busy, it is difficult to be a shining example of what a nurse should be to another nurses patient, especially if that nurse if just goofing off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Cute CNA;

Your post is a good example of what nursing should be, but when a nurse has an already full assignment, is doing her job and is very busy, it is difficult to be a shining example of what a nurse should be to another nurses patient, especially if that nurse if just goofing off.

I'm offering the ideal illustration, and saying it's important to still attend to patients' needs as best as we humanly can, despite problems.

I admit that I am sometimes less than therapeutic with psychiatric patients when it seems like others are slacking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ER.
"Like I said there are many other good nurses who totally agree with my analysis but they either grin and bear it or quit the unit. No effort is made to actually change the situation. I want so badly to quit but I need 2 years of SICU experience to apply to CRNA school and I'm one year in."

Let me see if I've got this straight. You've worked in this unit for 1 year and you expect to come to work every day and get a "good" assignment. One that you will learn something from so that when you apply for CRNA school in a year that it will help you get in. One that is "cushy," and maybe even have an orientee "to do your work for you." And then you get one of those "good" patients, a sick 1:1 at the end of the shift and you're upset because you didn't get enough help. So you're unhappy with your assignment if it's too easy and you're upset with your assignment if it's too hard.

.

You're making some pretty big assumptions here. To begin with, I NEVER get sick patients. NEVER. This ONE patient, that I admitted at 17:30 in the late afternoon (read very late in shift when I can't learn anything and noone else wants to admit) was the only sick patient, ever, that they have given me. Ever. Capish? I didn't even want to leave bedside nursing for CRNA until I was roughshod like this. When I started on this unit, I wanted to be a bedside nurse forever. You completely missed my point which is that I am looking for experiences that I will learn from. Clearly giving me one 1:1 once at 17:30 when I have to leave at 19:00 is not a learning experience. Framing it in terms of "easy" and "hard" is not appropriate because pairs of patients are not "easy" due to the sheer volume of work associated (assessments times 2, etc). 1:1s are, in fact, more difficult intellectually which is what I am looking for. I am going for CRNA because I am disgusted with these types of politics, not trying to use the SICU for pre-CRNA experience, which is what you are implying. Feeling a little bitter?

As for your comment about my status as a new grad, I believe that one year is enough paying dues and I am no longer a new grad per se. I have caught nurses with a lot more experience than me on my unit make some pretty big mistakes. I am not asking to get all the sick 1:1s, just one or two, once and a while. I'm not even asking for my fair share. I'm not even asking for equitable treatment, just the occasional sick patient so I can learn drips. I don't think this is too much to ask for.

You really played yourself out by quoting my statement one word at a time and using the words out of context to imply that I am some kind of lazy nurse who just wants easy patients. That was a really manipulative. I never stated that I wanted easy patients. I stated that there is a group of nurses who consistently hook each other up and it creates a great amount of resentment among the rest of us who get the leftovers. I am one of many on my unit who after this B.S. will now no longer work extra shifts for example.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment