Unhappy Nurse Manager--HELP!

Specialties Ambulatory

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I have been a critical care nurse for 8 years and recently took a nurse manager position at a surgery center. The staff that has been working there for several years are unprofessional, unethical, gossip, backstab, and do little work. I have been working with them for months to improve. They do OK for a couple of weeks and then go back to their old ways, to include undermining me with other physicians and employees--making it extremely difficult for staff to take me seriously. I have met with the physician/owners and they don't want me to fire anyone. By the way, they have gone through nurse managers every couple of years for the same reasons. I love a challenge and know I can make positive changes here, but how do I do it without getting the staff to either change, or let them go???:crying2:

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Nothing is going to change until the staff learns that you mean business. If this means terminating someone to get the attention of that person and the others, then that is going to be what it takes. If your management will support you in termination(s), then proceed if you feel that that is what must be done. Good luck in turning this around.

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The power of the schedule is a powerful tool. Schedule the worst of the lot on seperate shifts, so there is less opportunity for them to scheme together. Also, check their hiring status (full time, part time, PRN, etc.). For instance, if someone has been working 40 hours a week but was hired on as part time, a few weeks of 20 hours a week will either "encourage" them to find other employment or shape up. If nothing else, if they are working fewer hours, they have less time at work to drive you nuts!:bugeyes:

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I worked at a place that was falling apart. The licensed nurses were quitting one by one. Both the DON and administrator left near the same time to go to another facility. Our ADON was holding down the fort, but in reality the DSD was running the show outright instead of behind the scenes like she usually did. Eventually a new DON came on board. Guess how she got rid of the DSD? Her hours were cut in stages until it was no longer worth it to drive the 45 miles from her home. She got the message and quit and the DON put in someone she wanted. Cutting hours does wonders for getting rid of people. It is the next best thing to firing them outright.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

hmmm. i think i have the same nurses working for me!!!

my boss wanted me to fire them all when i came on 2 yrs ago.

we have increased the workload (and pay) and everyone we thought was going to quit has decided to stay:uhoh3:

so i get to deal with the games. i write them up and theyre better for a whilethen back to old ways. frustrating!!!

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Unfortunately, I work in a place where everyone works pretty much the same hours (ambulatory surgery; day hours only). So, I have the same staff every day. I've cut the hours where I could but, actually, the FT staff are doing most of the damage. I'm frustrated beyond belief!

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I sympathize with you as I have been in the same boat. I know that you need to talk to your owners/Board members and have them give you permission to give everyone a written warning with their (the owners)signatures supporting you, and then find the "ringleader" (there is always one), and terminate him/her. You may need to work in that position until you replace the one you have terminated. Once the ringleader is gone, and you show them you are willing to work in that spot until you find a replacement, they will know they too could be next. Be firm, always professional, and show them you mean business, and I think you will see a turn around. Good luck.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Change is never easy, and is particularly difficult to implement as an "outsider" or a "newbie".

I suggest you find some good solid literature on effecting change. Business publications (especially management) are an excellent source for information on the psychology and strategies of change.

In a nutshell, I think you have 2 options: accept that your place of employment may never improve because of the lack of interest and support of the owners, or consider finding positive ways to bring about change. I don't think that punitive measures will work. These employees have been around long enough to know that managers come and go with regularity. They can and will outlast you if this turns into a battle of wills. Is there anyone who you believe supports your efforts to improve professionalism who may be willing to back your efforts, lead by example and "recruit" other staff members? This will be a long, slow process, but hopefully resistant staff members will eventually be pressured into performing or leaving.

Good luck to you

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Thank you for your response. I did get to the 'ringleader' and FINALLY got the owners on board and they are now supporting me (after many tears and frustration). The ringleader has been addressed and has made improvements, although I think her ability to improve will only go so far because her personality is set where it is. I recently held a staff meeting to cover the rules, expectations, and code of ethics and it was a disaster with me being held responsible for other people's problems (i.e., my own staff's problems). They understand now that I hold them accountable for what they say/do as well as anyone else, to include myself and the docs. Things are much better lately, but I hope it's not just because it's the holidays. The new year will set the tone and I will tweak as necessary. Thanks for your great advice. It was extremely helpful!

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Thanks for your response. I did finally get the most difficult owner to listen to me and respond. He has an "in' with my staff and is very close to them. He was able to convince them to get on board and remind the staff that frequently going through nurse managers was no longer acceptable and things needed to improve dramatically. This was a very difficult process, but well worth it. I think things will get better. We may have some setbacks, but I'm hopeful! Thank you all for your great advice and Happy Holidays!

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One of the things I find fascinating about nurse managers is the lack of management experience prior to being promoted. In many facilities, there is virtually no support or training for new nurse managers. I am an MBA with a lot of management experience, small teams, large call centers etc.. I would not tolerate this type of behavior from a professional and would not hesitate to sternly coach and then terminate any/all employees involved. Sometimes being a "b" is the only way to get that message out.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

WOW! so many punitive posts!

The only way to effectively get people to accept change is to get them invested in the change process. What problems are you trying to solve? Do the staff see these issues as problems? Do they have problems you are not addressing? No nurse likes to be dictated to by a new manager. If you can show how the patients can be better served and the by the changes then you have hallf the battle won. ASK the NURSES what solutions they may have for whatever problems you are trying to address. It may be you are trying to fix something that has already been solved for but has been "managed out" of the process by previous managers. If you get on your staffs side and let them know you respect thier ideas you will find a much more cooperative staff than if you try to dictate your solutions. Nothing will turn a staff against you faster than change for the sake of change- just to show them who is in charge. Once you go down the "I'm the boss and we are doing it my way" road you will have a very hard time ever winning the respect and cooperation of the staff.

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