Vertical Violence on the floor

[lobianm]

I am wondering if anyone has had experience with vertical violence, manager to staff, bullying in their work setting and how they handled it. I have a very sad story where my manager had a personality conflict with me, withheld opportunities such as charge position, allowing me to precept new staff etc, and so I got tired and resigned. Unfortunately she went one step further and found bogus issues regarding my patient care and reported me to the SC Board of Nursing! One issue she reported involved me hanging a piggyback of Rocephin. Several minutes into the infusion the pump alarmed MALFUNCTION. I stopped the infusion, took it off the pump, and ordered a new pump. As the infusion had already been initiated, and I had no idea how much had infused, I left it on the pole. At this time the next shift had arrived so I asked the oncoming nurse to continue the infusion when the pump arrived. She agreed BUT forgot to do it, so the manager and ADN reported me to the board for falsifying documentation. My regret is that I never reported any of the management issues I had, even tho my coworkers urged me to, and now I regret I allowed it to happen. I am the one left in the ditch while she has moved on, possibly to treat others in the same way. I would be interested in hearing others experience......

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

That is a great question...and obviously one I had! Every seasoned nurse I asked told me they do not normally document such things. Perhaps I would have CYA better if I had told the oncoming nurse ALONG with the charge nurse. I was always taught such comments do not belong in the legal document...I am still contemplating this one....

This is how I would have charted it:

1845: Infusion pump found to malfunction. No replacement is available at this time. Spoke to John Doe with central equipment who is currently locating one to be cleaned and brought up to room 1000 stat. Informed Jane Doe, RN in report that patient has LR infusing at ___ ml/hr to be restarted as soon as equipment is available. Communicated event to Susie Smith, RN, charge for AM shift.....Babylady, RN.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

This is how I would have charted it:

1845: Infusion pump found to malfunction. No replacement is available at this time. Spoke to John Doe with central equipment who is currently locating one to be cleaned and brought up to room 1000 stat. Informed Jane Doe, RN in report that patient has LR infusing at ___ ml/hr to be restarted as soon as equipment is available. Communicated event to Susie Smith, RN, charge for AM shift.....Babylady, RN.

Agree ....that's how I would document the event.

However ... isn't it a sad reflection of our working conditions and work culture ? Having to write a paragraph to protect oneself just because a pump malfunctioned and a relatively routine treatment is expected to be delayed by ? 30 mins.

The OP's previous work environment sounds like a snake pit. Bet that was a fun place to work and I'm sure she is ecstatic to be out of there

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

Agree ....that's how I would document the event.

However ... isn't it a sad reflection of our working conditions and work culture ? Having to write a paragraph to protect oneself just because a pump malfunctioned and a relatively routine treatment is expected to be delayed by ? 30 mins.

The OP's previous work environment sounds like a snake pit. Bet that was a fun place to work and I'm sure she is ecstatic to be out of there

I agree.

As a nurse with under 2 years experience, I am having the problem of when I communicate infant condition to certain day shift nurses...instead of communicating my concerns to the physician, more than once, they have been dismissed...not because I was wrong, but because the nurse I communicated concerns incorrectly assumed that I was mistaken without any evidence or personal observation to back it up with. Not too toot my own horn, but I have rarely been wrong with my concerns.

Once (cannot post details b/c it is too specific), this could have had a fatal outcome for the infant...it was then that I realized that the day shift nurse could always claim that I failed to accurately communicate the infant condition in report (because not everyone reads what you chart)...so from now on, if it is something that needs to be communicated to the physician, I make a final note right before I give report, "Reviewed cardiac/respiratory/feeding issue to Jane Doe, RN in AM report..please refer to cardiac/respiratory/feeding notes."

That way, I have documented not only my notes but that I specifically brought the issue to the attention of the RN taking report.

Yes, it is SAD that you have to go that far, but I will be darned if anyone ever accuses me of not communicating needs.