Unit Manager and ADON Disagree on Priorities

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Disagreement About Priorities

As some of you may know, I recently began my role as an ADON.   I was formerly a unit manager, so obviously my old position needed to be filled.  

As it would have it, it was filled by a temporary manager who seems to have complete opposite ideas as to what should be priorities.  For one, she believes that the floor nurses should be documenting all of the progress notes and there is no responsibility on her end.  She doesn't seem to think she needs to do any on her end.  Thus, almost nothing is ever written about the patients on her unit.  

She also seems to think that her online trainings should take priority over the Care Conferences on her unit.  Her idea is that I should be attending the Care Conferences so she can do her online modules.  I've repeatedly told her that the Care Conferences are for her to attend, as she now knows those patients best.  I've been nice, but also firm in that I haven't actually gone to any for her. 

This morning, when I got to work, I found out we were short a nurse, so one unit didn't have a supervisor.  I told her that's where I'd be spending most of my day.  She disagreed, stating that the one unit doesn't have nearly as much as hers and she really needs help with the Care Conferences.  In her opinion,  I spend too much time helping the one unit.   So, I then ask her what time her Care Conferences are, and she snaps, "You don't really need to know. I'll just take care of them."   Obviously, then, she found a way to make it work that didn't involve me.  

It's pretty much been like this since she has started. We disagree on everything.  She seems to think she has more authority than I do, even though I'm ADON.  

Who else has been involved with a situation like this?  What did you do to mend personality clashes? 

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

When this person was hired did she receive a job description. If not it's time to print one and clarify duties and performance expectations.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I agree with happyg8ful, but also remember that when you were unit manager, you took on way too much to help the nurses, perhaps you're putting the same expectations on her (maybe not). How about you print out her job description and yours. Read yours first to have it settled in your mind. Then read hers. Give her a copy. It sounds like you and DON need to sit down and discuss priorities and role management with her, before you end up in the same pickle again, doing everyone's job!

The computer learning modules are a priority, but patient care and related come first. Sounds like she hasn't got a grasp on that 

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Hoosier_RN said:

Read yours first to have it settled in your mind. Then read hers. Give her a copy. It sounds like you and DON need to sit down and discuss priorities and role management with her, before you end up in the same pickle again, doing everyone's job!

Excellent advice, Hoosier!

In any problem situation, we first identify the problem, then gather data, brainstorm possible solutions and choose the best one.

There are always going to be those who believe they are above the rules & guidelines and no amount of convincing will sway their steadfast stance.

When we have done everything within our power to right the wrongs, we need to allow The Fates and The Forces That Be to have their way.  Edgar Cayce said that we can get no one into more trouble than they can get themselves into.

I could tell you numerous stories which have proven these concepts and have outlived many who refused to see the truth.

Good luck SilverBells, for I sense you are a competent, caring, and driven professional.

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Specializes in oncology.
SilverBells said:

Her idea is that I should be attending the Care Conferences so she can do her online modules

What the Heck?  Taking care of EVERY patient is the priority. Attendance at Care Conferences is the priority.!! When did completing online modules become the priority? Please explain what these modules are for

SilverBells said:

So, I then ask her what time her Care Conferences are, and she snaps, "You don't really need to know. I'll just take care of them." 

"No I do want to know as the ADON"

SilverBells said:

I found out we were short a nurse, so one unit didn't have a supervisor  I told her that's where I'd be spending most of my day. 

Why, why, Silver Bells, ? Get on the phone and get another nurse in there...

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I'm guessing the online modules are new hire compliance stuff. They often have a deadline for completion, which is often just a few days after you start. So while I understand people's ire, she probably DOES need to get them done or risk the wrath of HR. Whenever I've started in a new organization, I generally lock myself in the office and just bust them out before doing ANYTHING else, otherwise, life and the job get in the way and next thing you know they were due 2 months ago.

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Specializes in oncology.
klone said:

Whenever I've started in a new organization, I generally lock myself in the office and just bust them out before doing ANYTHING else, otherwise, life 

 

SilverBells said:

She also seems to think that her online trainings should take priority over the Care Conferences on her unit. 

 

How many of this online modules is she having to do... and shouldn't those be assigned to a specific orientation day?  

Busting them out doesn't seem the motivation, let's stretch it out. 

Do a module, read my phone ..do another module read my phone

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

For leaders, they often don't carve out time for you to do them, you're just supposed to figure out time on your own. That's why I try to get them done before I do anything else, otherwise life and the job get in the way. Maybe that's what she was doing. At one organization, I had about 15 hours of new hire trainings. 

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Some states don't have CEUs, we get to do these annually...fun...

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I've always been given an orientation day to complete modules. Unless you're working on ACLS or BLS, they shouldn't be taking a whole day. Most are just repeats of everything we know (HIPAA, unconscious bias, safety, yada, yada). Are their modules unique to LTC that take a long time to complete? I agree with Londflo that care conferences should be a priority. I also agree with Davey's quote "When we have done everything within our power to right the wrongs, we need to allow The Fates and The Forces That Be to have their way". Just make sure you're documenting everything!

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Specializes in LTC.

Why are you still at this job? You're always making threads complaining about it. They say insanity is trying to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result each time. I'm sure you can find something else that'll give you way less grief.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
Crystal-Wings said:

Why are you still at this job? You're always making threads complaining about it. They say insanity is trying to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result each time. I'm sure you can find something else that'll give you way less grief.

Thank you!

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