VP of Marketing insults nurses (vent)

[savoytruffle, BSN, RN]

I am an RN and the Executive Director (ED) of an Alzheimer's Assisted Living Facility. Today we had a big marketing meeting with multiple facilities in our state. There were EDs, community relations directors, outreach professionals, regional operations managers, and the VP of marketing present. Early on into the meeting the VP is stressing occupancy. Fill the beds. No matter what. She said, "let me put it this way. If a resident falls down in front of you, STEP OVER THEM to get to the next lead. In house residents are someone else's problem." Wow. A little while after that gem she says, "I know I have a nurse in the room (me only), but I am going to say this anyway. Never give nursing any forms you have not already made a copy of." Right. Because nurses as a whole are disorganized. Or perhaps we are irresponsible? Or maybe just too stupid to keep track of admission paperwork. There were some very uncomfortable chuckles, and a few hearty laughs. She has the CEO behind her. It's a family owned and operated company. My direct supervisor is the boss's son. I am leaving this company as soon as I can. I will tell everyone I know what the CEO, and VP of marketing really think of their residents and the nurses who care for them. Has anyone else ever encountered such callousness and unprofessional behavior before? I was disgusted. I don't know if anything I say to HR will make a difference. At this point I can only leave with my integrity intact.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Do not go to HR. HR is the advocate for the corporation, and not the advocate for you, the employee.

Line up another position and then notify the ombudsman, the National Alzheimer's Association and AARP.

[savoytruffle, BSN, RN]

I was thinking of my exit interview with HR. I won't say anything until I've already created my exit strategy. The ombudsman program for my county currently has no volunteer. It took me three weeks to get a hold of someone in Albany last time I wanted to contact them. I will leave lots of reviews tho. Lots of anonymous reviews that will show up on google searches. A place for mom, glassdoor, indeed, etc. Or maybe not. I don't want any bad Karma! (OK maybe one on Glassdoor)

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

I once worked for a Home Health agency, and the owner liked to use meetings as a time to inflate his already considerable ego.

At one staff meeting, he stood at the front of the room, looked out at the predominantly Nurse crowd, and proceeded to tell us how "Nurses aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things."

Seriously? Try running a Home Health agency without Nurses. I dare you.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

I would consult an attorney who specializes in Elder Law for advice on how to proceed if I suspected Elder abuse.

[savoytruffle, BSN, RN]

No Elder abuse. Only employee abuse. The best resident care I have ever encountered, actually. I think that's why I hung on so long. Lots of high pressure sales and occupancy stressing, lots of micromanagement and bloated administration.

[amoLucia]

CAREFUL!!!

Just don't cut off your nose and spite your face!!! While revenge may be sweet for you, it can antagonize others in your old work posse and that can kill your future career for a veeeery long time. Things can come to haunt you.

And you've seen how many of us on AN caution against using social media - there is NO such thing as anonymity! And things will last forever!

Keep your HR exit interview brief & sweet. You have no obligation to provide any reasons why you've moved on. Just keep them wondering & guessing!! They won't consider it as constructive criticism anyway. You'll just be considered the complaining whiner, spouting sour grapes with an axe to grind.

Also if any negativity comes back to affect the facility, they'll blame you (you were the disgruntled whiner). And you're facing the possible backlash of their jeopardizing your career or other retaliation. It sounds like that bunch is very powerful so they have the clout to be vindictive.

Don't give them the chance.

Good luck with your future endeavors.

[NOADLS]

Can you recommend me as your replacement? I think I'd get along with them.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

The VP of Marketing is a crass human being scrabbling for customers. Her belittling comments about nurses were self promotion nothing more.

Why not just confront it next time and say I don't think you are exhibiting kindness respect etc. or whatever buzzwords they use for their core values?

Why not simply say if you want my help don't insult me.

Why not point out that she is qualified for sales, and she should stick to that because she is not qualified to provide skilled nursing services.

You are going to find this mentality anywhere you go in healthcare. I have heard far worse insults from administrators. Nurses and hospitalists are regarded as overpaid and a drain on the bottom line.

Amolucia is absolutely correct that posting negative reviews will hurt you far more than it would hurt them.