Last night when I went into work, (a small community hospital) the charge nurse and two LPNs were actually screaming at each other, using profane language all the while patients and their families were walking right in front of where this was all taking place. In the end, the charge nurse yelled "I don't have time for this ****" and kicked a stool across the nursing station, slamming into the wall. The other nurses in the nursing station continued about their work like nothing was happening.
I spoke with the unit manager this am and she tried to blame all the tension and commotion on a foreign MD who had been ranting and raving most of the afternoon. According to the unit manager, he yelled at several nurses telling them they were incompetent and even went as far as to poke a pen into a nurses chest as he yelled at her.
I have only been there 7 months, but want to run for the hills! In speaking to another nurse that night who has been there 5 years....this is not new behavior for any of them. The unit manager is at a loss to know what to do about the backbiting, unprofessionalism, and continual harassment and hostile work environment.
I have been put in charge 2 nights a week. It is nearly impossible to get any cooperation and when I assert myself, the other nurses complain that I am too rigid. (when I see an LPN sitting at the table for over an hour looking at a magazine, I do tend to ask of she has something else she could be doing for her pts or ask her to go help some other nurses that may be behind)
The unit manager requested that I write up what transpired, which I did. Nothing is confidential there, so I know that I will be on the crap list for being a "snitch" and can look forward to the rest of them trying to "catch" any perceived error I might make. I need this job for the time being.....any suggestions?
i am in the same work situation right now, however on a travel contract. my response to the nurse doing the screaming at me was and continues to be "this behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable to me, and i will not engage in this. i will be happy to speak with you when you can do so in a professional manner, or we need to call the house supervisor now"
I was a house supervisor in a large city hospital and left to do some traveling. I am shocked at the behavior I have encountered, also at small community hospitals, and amazed that the management tolerates it.
yes, the "payback" for me standing up to this is hell every night, however, my advice is do what is right, continue to be a professional.
Specializes in ICU/CCU, CCU step-down, ER, Home Health.
This is very similar to what happened to me several years ago. I hope this makes you feel better to know you are not alone. I believe you 100%. :1luvu:
:pntrghi: I am here to WARN you.
My advice is to document by date and quote what is happening. In the meantime, FIND another job!!!
In hindsight, in my situation, if I had known about the lies, I would have carried a voice recorder into the 2 meetings for my protection.
Cardboard & tape the vents up on a locker and ALWAYS lock the locker.
I was 3 months new to a unit and doing well due to my experience, even being asked to do extra nightshifts.
A particular charge nurse had anger management problems. She cursed over the phone, out loud, and to other nurses. She told sexual and gay jokes. She would ask a male CNA who was in BSN school to come over by saying "Come here, Princess." Some nurses 'fed' into it, most just left her alone because she was a "Bully Nurse." She was loud and intimidating. I asked a couple of other nurses if anything had been done about it. No. I was still trying to 'fit' into the environment, but this was absurd.
One early evening, while documenting, I happened to see a patient go into her bathroom. The charge nurse was on the phone and loud. As the patient exited the bathroom, which is near the room's door, the charge nurse yelled, "then why don't you put a dxxxx on and come up here and xxxx me up my xxx." She slammed the phone down. I was mordified as I had never heard that kind of language. The patient stood there in shock and hurried back into her room.
Several nurses fled the station; some put their heads down. I got up and very softly and calmly asked the charge nurse to take a few minutes break, saying nothing about her words or actions. She turned to me and told me to sit my fxxxxxx axx in my fxxxxxx chair. I asked if she couldn't just get a cola or cup of coffee. She started screaming and the relief charge came up and asked the charge nurse if she could help. CNurse yelled she was responsible for 30+ patients and carried on. I expressed empathy. I then turned and carried on. I had no problems what so ever with the other two CN's I worked with.
Two nights later, she was on duty again. She had me follow her to the Charge Nurse's Office WITH the same Relief Charge Nurse.
She told me that if I reported her that she would see that I got FIRED from the unit, FIRED from the hospital, and she would make sure I was FIRED from any other hospital in that city and ..."don't you think I can't do it." :angthts:
The RCNurse said nothing but appeared to be flabbergasted.
There was more to the discussion in that I told her at least one patient had seen what she had done and it was unprofessonal. She did say she was out of line and would try to do better. The relief charge DID speak up and suggested to her that she seek counseling.
I told her that my husband was laid off and I was the sole support of the family and could not loose my job. I told her she would not be reported, but I expected her to try to improve herself.
One week after that the Manager conferenced the Charge Nurses about a family member's letter regarding sexual jokes, bad language, loudness, etc. All employees on the unit were to sign it. I was asked by a new grad nurse that I had been helping if I had written it.... because that was the rumor. I said, of course not, I would have gone to the Manager in person. However, I believe the "CN" thought I wrote it as a warning to her.
About 1 week after that, several things went wrong. One of the patients I had for about 2 weeks was given 2 IV dosages of potassium per standing orders following labwork.... which he definitely did not need, since he had mild renal insuffiency. Nurse said she forgot her glasses & read the lab report incorrectly. This man was doing 'laps' on the unit and waiting for a rehabilitative skill bed for 3 days. When I arrived and took report, he was in trouble. Pt. clinically continued to decline and labwork & EKG evidenced. Pt. was transferred to cardiac unit where he Coded, put on a ventilator, Coded in the a.m. and he was deceased. He left 2 teenage children behind.
1 or 2 nights after that I was called into the Manager's office about not being able to document on a pt. I explained to her that no one could get the computer to bring the pt.'s 23 hour admit up. She tried, too. I told her I was headed to Pharmacy for help and showed her the Pyxis med strip with the info. She took this and said she had SECURITY on the way because I was going to be questioned.
I didn't care, because I had not done anything wrong. :)
MISTAKE: my *unlocked* locker had one narcotic pill and one blood pressure pill in it; both still in the bubble pack. :omy:
I requested drug screen and of course, it was negative.
The hospital also thought I gave more pain medication than the average nurse. Huh? I had Dr.'s orders and worked more days & took a higher acuity b/c of my experience. I asked them do a courtesy follow-up on my pts. and include asking them if the pain med I gave them was effective. They refused.
Summary: I have been through H....
I complied, pleaded, and did everything requested, volunteered for hair test, psych exam (10 hours worth), and had several screens. The Board took 2 years because they didn't know what to do, as there was no strict evidence. Administrative Law means they can do what THEY want to do. An attorney will not be provided as in a civil court case. I had no money for one since I lost my job and took a lesser paying job.
The deceased patient from the IV overdose ? I was called in by the hospital and patient's family attorneys. The nurse involved was fired and license suspended. The hospital settled right before the court date. Later, I found out about 2 more deaths. The Manager, CN, and several nurses were fired from the unit and moved to another unit, or fired from the hospital. The Manager was placed as a staff nurse, but fired again and moved to Medical Records. This was plainly a *dysfuntional unit.*
I am on probation for something I did not do.
I can carry the narc keys and give narcs.
You would not believe some of the illegal interviews I"ve had. One manager yelled at me " I am so sick and tired of YOU people!!!" when she found out I was on probation and would not let me tell her I could give meds. She yelled and pointed to the elevator, " This interview is over!" Who wants to work there .... ? I have kept trying.
Nurse managers and nurse friends :) tried to get me hired and the approval would be stopped 'higher up.'
I cannot get a license in another state.
I can't work home health because the Board said I need a 'monitor' somewhere in the building. For what? In case I am discovered acting 'under the influence.' I have over 50 negative random drug screens.
I have had a few small jobs that are non nursing.
I CANNOT GET HIRED AS A NURSE AFTER 3 YEARS !!!! Now, I getting out of touch with my nurse friends; they don't know how to help me. References aren't checked. I have given interviewers my letters of reference. I can't get off probation, because I have to work AS A NURSE. Catch 22.
Do not trust the Board of Nursing. They will look for things done wrong, and even when the 'action' is reasonably explained, it is *still part of the paperwork.
I graduated from HS and college with Honors. I worked 9 years before this happened.
LEAVE that unit if not the hospital. Complaining will probably get you no where. Find out where a friend is that loves her job and get hired there. You know how they say "Drive defensively" ? Do that.
Leave. There are better environments. You may have to try a few positions to find your nitch. You take care of yourself. :flowersfo
I honestly think that if I want continue to have the drive to finish nursing school I need to stay away from this forum. Reading these posts makes me wonder what the heck I'm doing becoming a nurse? I am appalled at the lack of professionalism displayed from the top down in this situation. The reason this behavior is the norm is because it has been allowed to occur with no consequence. Anyone familiar with toddlers knows this. With the number of nurses looking for work I'm shocked that anyone thinks they can behave this way and keep their jobs.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
I think you should begin your search for another job. Or at least ask for a transfer to another floor. These kinds of situation cannot resolve themselves without meaningful assistance from management. And from what it seems, management is inadequate in handling this situation. Recent quidelines were just issued by JACHO that addresses these kinds of situations in hospitals. Because they impact negatively on patient care. A hospital is obligated to take corrective action when such ongoing behaviour is known to them. Also individual employees (doctor or nurse) can be sanctioned.
In the mean time, watch your back!
:icon_rollAmen to all of the above! Management should have taken care of this a long time ago. there should be a 0 tolerance to this kind of confrontation. It appears management is the culprit here ----- shouting and kicking where patients and visitors can hear is a display of poor judgement on all of these nurses !!!!! I am sorry that you do not have a choice of jobs at this time....but please when you can , you need to leave this place pronto.....this place will not last long. If mgmt. can not control the people , I could just imagine as to what else they have not complied as to other regulations of a community hospital .
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
sometimes a unit is build from the ground up. remember a building must have a sound foundation in order to stand strong.
Amen ! and if the building is too damn rotten , then they need to bulldoze it and start new so the new foundation will be new and stronger and compliant to the new buidling regulations. I could say the same thing for the management of this place....the staff's behavior can be taken care of as soon as new mgmt. sets and enforce the rules and ethics in that place.:angryfire
You could also file an assault/battery case against the M.D. I would definitely not allow anyone to touch me in that sense without my consent. If the M.D. is allowed to continue with this type of behavior his actions will only get worse. I agree with others that the nurse manager needs to be replaced because if she was more rigid at her job responsibilities the entire unit would probably run better. Sometimes many individuals are thrown in management positions without the slightest clue as to what and how to manage people, especially when it comes to conflict resolution.
You should check to see if your facility have an employee assistance program (EAP), or an ethical conduct hotline, etc. and report these occurences. If these issues have been raised with the nurse manager and she fails to resolve the problem, then the next step is to bring the issue up with her superior, and so on so forth until help arrives. If you find it difficulty to stand up for your rights and your patients rights, then I would suggest move on to another job and inquire about the work environment and ethical conduct of the facility before deciding to work there.
Specializes in psychiatric, UR analyst, fraud, DME,MedB.
You could also file an assault/battery case against the M.D. I would definitely not allow anyone to touch me in that sense without my consent. If the M.D. is allowed to continue with this type of behavior his actions will only get worse. I agree with others that the nurse manager needs to be replaced because if she was more rigid at her job responsibilities the entire unit would probably run better. Sometimes many individuals are thrown in management positions without the slightest clue as to what and how to manage people, especially when it comes to conflict resolution.
You should check to see if your facility have an employee assistance program (EAP), or an ethical conduct hotline, etc. and report these occurences. If these issues have been raised with the nurse manager and she fails to resolve the problem, then the next step is to bring the issue up with her superior, and so on so forth until help arrives. If you find it difficulty to stand up for your rights and your patients rights, then I would suggest move on to another job and inquire about the work environment and ethical conduct of the facility before deciding to work there.
take it easy ladies. wars are not fought in the hospital unless it's against some swine flu. give your patients your sweetest smile and you gentlest touch. Love them, and your ability to care for them:redpinkhe:yeah:peace
I really do try. I am told that this has been going on for years. Everyone seems to accept it and say "well that is just the way she is". Yesterday at a staff meeting we were told that there would now be a 20 question part to our evaluation on our attitudes. If we got even one check mark we would be counseled. I am not without percieved problems myself. A few aides think I talk down to them. I don't feel I do but then, I am not in the habit of having an aide tell me which blood draws(from cvp or ports) I have to do in the am. Or that it is ok to use a sanipan (hat) to get a clean catch urine...the lab sais it is ok, I'm told. Or to be directly told in front of others that they know their job and they are not in the habit of taking orders from an RN. I have discussed this with the unit manager and she feels each of the aides on the floor are very adept at their job and could be nurses....."they just don't have the credentials"
Very frustrating. I am new and seen as a boat rocker.
That type of environment is good for no one. I would ask for a transfer. The post about a diary is a good one. Keep being yourself and who you are. Do not let subordinates get to you. They are testing the waters. Be professional at all times and as someone else said WATCH your back.
There is a recent AORN article out on Nurse to nurse hostilities and how they adversely affect patient care, nurse retention, etc. The ANA as well as other large and recognized organizations indicate that doctor-nurse lateral bullying is reported at approximately 77%, HOWEVER, lateral bullying in Nurse-Nurse conflicts is 66%.
We still haven't learned how to address negative behavior with assertiveness to nip it in the bud. We do each other in by gossiping, eye rolling, breaking confidences, undermining each other, setting each other up so we look bad, etc.
This has been examined closely, and apparently, it's never ending circle of negativity that feeds on itself.
The ways to fight it is to have the administration take it seriously, have workshops that teach nurses how to identify the bullying behaviors and how to stop it, how to counter negative behavior, and have a ZERO TOLERANCE for all staff(everyone, not just the nurses, but the docs, NA's, etc). There are such workshops out there, and I work in a hospital with a zero "disrespect" policy.
wars are not fought in the hospital unless it's against some swine flu. give your patients your sweetest smile and you gentlest touch. Love them, and your ability to care for them:redpinkhe:yeah:peace
islandcat
1 Post
i am in the same work situation right now, however on a travel contract. my response to the nurse doing the screaming at me was and continues to be "this behavior is inappropriate and unacceptable to me, and i will not engage in this. i will be happy to speak with you when you can do so in a professional manner, or we need to call the house supervisor now"
I was a house supervisor in a large city hospital and left to do some traveling. I am shocked at the behavior I have encountered, also at small community hospitals, and amazed that the management tolerates it.
yes, the "payback" for me standing up to this is hell every night, however, my advice is do what is right, continue to be a professional.