Verbal warning

springchick1, ADN, RN · May 19, 2015

First of all, please use paragraphs. It's REALLY hard to read something that long with you them.

Secondly, to be completely honest, you just sound a little bitter about your supervisor and at your coworkers who haven't been written up. What you did was wrong. You know that and admitted it. But it sounds like there is more anger there than just a cell phone issue.

You said that other employees are pulling their phones out in front of supervisors and that the supervisors ask these employees to show them things on their phone sometimes. There is nothing you can do about that. If the supervisor request it, then They aren't going to get in trouble. Are the supervisor and the assistant manager the same persons?

psu_213, BSN, RN · May 19, 2015

Are you 100% certain that you are the only person who was written up for the cell phone policy? Everywhere I have worked, these issues only (in theory anyway) involved the management and the staff member being written up. It is not made public when someone is written up.

Also, yes, they may have been making an example of you. They wanted to show they were enforcing the policy, you were the first one they caught, and you got dinged. It seems managements goes on kicks about things, whether it be cell phones, attendance, dress code, etc., and they suddenly start enforcing a policy, issue write ups, the in a few days/weeks/months they seem to forget about it and things become more lax. Is it fair that you got written up and others flout the rule with no repercussions? No, it's not. Go to work, do your job the best of your abilities, and don't get caught up in the games you manager wants to play.

Emergent, RN · May 19, 2015

I glean from your post that you are weak on politics of the workplace. It bothers you that you have this young whippersnapper in charge, especially since you perceive she brown nosed her way into her position.

Well, that's the way the world works. Upper management promotes people who they like, not crabby people who don't know how to flatter and be positive.

For your own sake, start developing these skills.

Mavrick, BSN, RN · May 20, 2015

Though yours is just a post on a stupid ole professional nurses board, writing skills do matter.

Karou · May 20, 2015

You can't know for sure that no one else was written up. Could have happened on your day off, different shift, ect... So it would be better to assume that you were NOT the only one rather than that you were.

Even if you were singled out (it is possible) then there isn't really anything that you can do about it. You admitted that the warning was warranted because you did in fact break policy. You can't argue against the write up because it's valid. The fact that others are not being written up doesn't factor in. It might not be fair but it's not something you can contest either.

It might be that your manager was wanting to make an example of someone and intended to strictly enforce the policy then she got lax after a while.

It's one of those things you just have to suck up and move on.

dass12 · May 20, 2015

I'm not sure of the point of your comment besides being rude.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 20, 2015

You can't know for sure that no one else was written up. Could have happened on your day off, different shift, ect... So it would be better to assume that you were NOT the only one rather than that you were.
Even if you were singled out (it is possible) then there isn't really anything that you can do about it. You admitted that the warning was warranted because you did in fact break policy. You can't argue against the write up because it's valid. The fact that others are not being written up doesn't factor in. It might not be fair but it's not something you can contest either.
It might be that your manager was wanting to make an example of someone and intended to strictly enforce the policy then she got lax after a while.
It's one of those things you just have to suck up and move on.

This.

If the situation seems so dire and you feel like a target, best to look for employment elsewhere where you will be a better fit; although most workplaces have their own politics, it is best to start honing some skills to be able to cope with that, regardless if you stay at this facility or go on to another one.

Best wishes.

Emergent, RN · May 20, 2015

I'm not sure of the point of your comment besides being rude.

That's all you have to say? My advise is to work on better, more positive communication skills.

Karou · May 20, 2015

I'm not sure of the point of your comment besides being rude.

Several different people replied to you, who were you referring to?

Here is why I think saying to let it go is the best advice for you.

You won't change this units politics. You were in fact in the wrong for being on your phone. If you bring it to your supervisors that it's bothering you that other people are on their phones, then you will come across and whiny and disgruntled. Possibly labeled as a "tattle tale". Your coworkers will probably resent you, especially if the policy gets strictly enforced again. Your work environment will get worse. Your write up will still stand. So what's changed? You get it off your chest and that's about it.

I think you are taking the write up personally, which again, only will hurt you. You have to decide to let this get to you or not. If you still feel targeted then your only solution is to get off this unit and apply elsewhere.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 21, 2015

Upon hire we are told there is a no cell phone use policy, however they don't frown on you having it out as long as not in front of patients or it interfere with performance. I have been here 2yrs w/no infractions. I am an older nurse (45) with any only 3yr experience. (Late bloomer). If course most other nurses here are younger and first real long term employer. Me...been around the block. So I don't conform to being bullied like younger..not that I am disrespectful.. But age and experience have taught me to hold my own. My head floor mgr is MUCH younger and asst mgr older. Mgr has sucked her way to position.. Relayed to me and very obviously observed by those that have been there much longer than myself! Retention rate is very poor under her leadership...in past 2 yr --more than 15 transfers or quits. Very small med-surg unit in rural area. About 4mos ago we were having a bad problem with a few nurses abusing the cell phone rule. So..instead of approaching those specific girls she decided to enforce the No Cell Phone policy. I would jeep my phone with me but I was rarely on it. So the one morning (nite shifter) I look up the newest hire on Facebook after having all my work completed and waiting to give report to team not there yet...my asdt mgr sees! Yes, I was guilty. I knew what was coming and signed the verbal warning because I did what was wrong. At the time of MTG I was even told I was NOT one of the abusers and my name had never been brought up as such. --(so basically I was being used as an example! Besides the fact I'm not one of the floor pets!! ) So I took my punishment and have not had my cell phone out since. However, in past 2mos others have now had there phones out daily and even showing videos and pics of family and kids, ordering things, facebooking, to not just other nurses but SUPERVISORS!! Supervisor have even asked to see from phones. (Not one other person has been wrote up for problem... So I am aware that for some reason I am not liked or have a mark on me to be pushed out. Regardless of my otherwise good performance and teamwork that I have been commended for in past by supervisors and other team members) So my problem is do I say anything to my mgr regarding situation I have seen but have been reprimand for or do I have any base to have my warning removed. I feel I have been discriminated against regardless. I know going above her head is a no win situation because they will inform her of situation. No one cares for her.,.but she is ALL COMPANY if you get my drift. She has obvious favorites she caters to and has watch and listen for discrepancies so they can tell back to them. I am beside myself with worry over warning feeling it is going to effect my further reviews (which is nearing) for something I am being punished for that others are blatantly doing in front of management. ANY ADVISE???

First, I'd advise paragraphs. The solid block of text is pretty difficult to plow through.

Second, you seem to have a lot of resentment toward your younger co-workers, especially those who are above you in the company hierarchy. If we can pick up on it reading your post online, I'm sure your professional colleagues can pick up on it as well. Your comment that "MGR has sucked her way into the position" is disrespectful and possibly inaccurate. You admit that you weren't there and don't know. At this point, it doesn't matter how she got the position. What matters is that she has the position.

Third: You admit that you knew about the "no cell phone" policy and that you knowingly violated it. So the verbal warning was fair. It doesn't matter whether or not anyone else got written up and honestly, if your management team is doing their jobs correctly, you wouldn't know if they did. Disciplinary matters are to be kept confidential. The only way you'll know if someone else got written up is if they, like you, go around whining about how unfair it all is.

Fourth, you seem to be old enough to be aware that life isn't fair. So stop complaining about the unfairness of it all.

Finally, you seem to be aware that you're not liked at your place of work. At the moment, that seems to be your biggest problem. What are you doing about that? It may be too late; you may have already irretrievably poisoned that well. My advice is to take a good, honest look at your relationships with your colleagues and determine why they don't like you. Are you too negative? Judgemental? Always complaining about the unfairness of this or that? There are some good threads on here about fixing your relationships with coworkers, and I'd advise you to read some of them.

Good luck. Changing people's perception of you is a difficult thing, but it's worth it.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · May 21, 2015

YOU broke the no cell phone rule and you know it. That's all you need to focus on. Keep your mind on YOUR business, no one else's, and move on.

You will really come off as sounding petty and bitter if you go about saying there are favorites and different consequences for infractions for different people. Bottom line is you did what you knew was wrong (FB stalking, no less?!) and now have to pay the proverbial piper