Unfair Discipline at Work...What do you Think?

warrior woman · May 10, 2005

I think that you need to approach this problem from another point of view, and that is from customer service . When we are in the hospital of our employment ,and families, patients approach us , we need to always look upon them as our customers. When our loved ones are in the hsopital, who are the ones that are most critical of other nurses, and what are the issues.....its how are loved ones are treated, and we put ourselves in their position and say that we would never do that. Look at yoursellf outside of the box, and treat others the way you would wanat to be treated in a hospital setting.

I'm sorry but I beg to differ. The main problem with healthcare today is that it's been turned into a customer service cottage industry like WAL MART or Burger King where everybody thinks they are entitled to "Have it their way". Well, Healthcare, and nursing in particular is a lot more complicated than that. The patient can't always get what they want if it is to their detriment like the 400 lb brittle diabetic who wants brownies for a snack every night. Customer Service is NOT conducive to PROPER patient care, if it ends up doing more harm than good in the long run for the patient's health. Somebody forgot to tell the public "Hey! We're on YOUR side!" And we ARE. However we can only do so much.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · May 10, 2005

I think that you need to approach this problem from another point of view, and that is from customer service . When we are in the hospital of our employment ,and families, patients approach us , we need to always look upon them as our customers. When our loved ones are in the hsopital, who are the ones that are most critical of other nurses, and what are the issues.....its how are loved ones are treated, and we put ourselves in their position and say that we would never do that. Look at yoursellf outside of the box, and treat others the way you would wanat to be treated in a hospital setting.

I disagree.

If I am a patient in a hospital, I don't owe anybody anything. They are not my "customers" OR my patients at that point. The OP said she was in a hospital gown and sweats and that this person recognized her face. It was completely and totally obvious to anyone that she was a patient at the time(hosptial gowns are just not something I would wear if not a patient and I have never seen an on-duty staff member dressed that way either). What do you think about a visitor badgering a patient to try to get information on another patient (violates HIPAA, by the way...)? Because that is exactly what happened in this situation.

karengr · May 12, 2005

There is no reason to get this upset merely because I disagree with you. It's okay for me to disagree. Might even happen again someday so brace yourself. :chuckle

A simple, "I don't know, (point to desk) ask them, they are working and I'm not. Excuse me," then turn and walk away... that would have been a whole lot easier and faster. I'm a person that prefers the path of least resistance. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to bring a slew of emotions into this, get everyone upset, and then watch it to being blown out of proportion as it turned out.

I guess the million dollar question now is, was it worth it? Did the behavior/words in question bring about anything positive?

>>IF SHE HAD BEEN IN UNIFORM. SHE WAS NOT!

Feel better now?

Pickles, what's up with telling her to point to the desk, when she obviously knew where the desk was? Your attitude and approach to this situation illustrates perfectly all that is wrong with management - you are determined to make the nurse into the bad guy, while overlooking/ignoring abusive behavior from the grandmother. Your posts were very offensive to me - and don't write that you have a right to your opinion (and to voice that opinion). It is your attitude toward this sick, off-duty nurse that is utterly vile to me, as well as your sarcastic question, ". . . was it worth it? . . . Did . . . bring . . . anything positive." You have NO business in management!

mattsmom81 · May 12, 2005

What do you think about a visitor badgering a patient to try to get information on another patient (violates HIPAA, by the way...)? Because that is exactly what happened in this situation.

Yup...and this is exactly how it should have been approached. :)

This visitor was likely pissed she wasn't getting enough attention in the ER, and decided to continue to pressure someone she 'recognized', even after an explanation. Then got angry this off duty nurse wouldn't dance to her tune, and chose to get vindictive...embellishing the story. There is waaay too much of this out there, as we all know.

Lack of management support: a huge reason for nurse burnout.

Be careful with this DON...I don't think I'd stay on with her in charge. These types have long memories in my experience.

PicklesRN, RN · May 13, 2005

>>Pickles, what's up with telling her to point to the desk, when she obviously knew where the desk was? Your attitude and approach to this situation illustrates perfectly all that is wrong with management - you are determined to make the nurse into the bad guy, while overlooking/ignoring abusive behavior from the grandmother. Your posts were very offensive to me - and don't write that you have a right to your opinion (and to voice that opinion). It is your attitude toward this sick, off-duty nurse that is utterly vile to me, as well as your sarcastic question, ". . . was it worth it? . . . Did . . . bring . . . anything positive." You have NO business in management!

I'm not in management, haven't been for a long time. I no longer want the BS and hassles.

My question of whether or not it was worth it was not sarcastic, it was a literal question. Was it worth it? If so, kewl beans, let's stop the silly bickering and be on our way.

I just don't think it is a bad thing to behave a step above others. And that IS my opinion and I WILL write it. You can call my attitude all the names you wish, it is still my opinion.

As nurses we already battle public view, I see no value in adding to those views.

I'm sorry that you find my views of appropriate behaviors vile, I feel sorry for you. But it doesn't change my stance.

Mferguson · May 13, 2005

Last week I was sick...major headache, puking my guts out, diarrhea, cough, fever, congestion, etc. So...I went to our hospital's urgent care. While I was on my way to the bathroom so I could give them a urine sample, I started to feel dizzy, so I leaned my head against the nurses' station for a minute or two until I felt better. While I was leaning there, a patient's grandmother obviously recognized me as an employee asked me what room her granddaughter was in. I told her that I was not on duty, that I was sick, and that I didn't know. She then said, "Well, can you find out?" I said, "No, I cannot find out. I am here as a patient, I am not on duty, I am SICK, so I really have no need to know...you will have to wait for a nurse who is on duty. Leave me alone...I feel terrible." Well...she is claiming that I told her to f*** off and that I used a lot of profanity and told her to go to h***...that I was extremely rude, that I flipped her off, and list of other things. I generally don't swear or flash obscene gestures, so my manager just blew her off...however the director of nurses did not. The DON wants me to write a letter apologizing to the woman for being rude and swearing at her...if I don't she says she will take disciplinary action against me. I have no idea what discipline she is thinking of, but either way, why should I be disciplined for something that I didn't do and even if I did happened while I was off duty?
Really just venting more than anything, but I do not want to apologize to this woman! :angryfire

Not being sure what state you reside in i can't be sure, but since you were not on duty then it may be illegal for the DON to ask you to write a letter of apology. I mean would they ask a patient to apologize, whether in writting or verbal, for offending another patients family member? I think not. Your hospital should have a clear policy on employee's who are seen as patients and I bet if you dig enough you can find it. As far as the legality issue you could call the state attourny generals office or your state board and ask them. If it is illegal or even inappropriate, then I would calmly begin the process of nailing the DON's hide to the wall, figurativly speaking. If this is her/his response and support of her/his nurses then he/she has no business being a directior or in my humble opinion being allowed to practice nursing.