What I did and where do I go from here?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Background: 4 yrs ICU, 1 yr case management and 5 yrs trauma ER . I took a gig in GI clinic per my husbands request for better work life balance. He was tired or struggling with the kids alone on the weekends by himself. I cant blame him.

I'm terribly bored in GI. I actually got trained as relief charge nurse after a year and was involved in education committee, etc. I was starting to feel fulfilled. Then things hit the literal fan.

First thing was both my bosses were put on mandatory personal leave. 4 months later we still have no boss. Everyones at each others throats. I havent been assigned relief charge in months because the more senior relief charges (theres 3 of them) decided it wasnt a good time initially. I agreed and just tried to be as helpful as I could with all staff.

A little over a month ago they said they were going to start using me as relief charge again. However later that month, because i spoke out about missed breaks and encouraged everyone to follow labor laws. If you don't get a lunch you dont clock out for it, etc. I also got involved with filing a complaint via union about the lack of actual management and our staff nurses being pulled from the floor to cover for it. Apparently that ticked my 3 coworkers off despite their claims that they were tired of doing it and wanted to be back on the floor. At least now I learned that they were lying.

They've been punishing me additionally by putting me in the same assignment all week, and that "you have to be willing to sacrifice certain things." I'm at a very pro union hospital and am baffled my coworkers would shoot themselves in the foot and encourage others to follow suit. I've held my ground firmly but because of their high school nonsense I ultimately am taking a part time position there and getting a second job in ICU or ER to regain some perspective.

I'm debating going to HR and filing a retaliation claim but also dont want to ruffle feathers further as it appears they get away with it all anyway. The lack of formal leadership in our department doesn't help.

I just needed to rant a bit. I feel like my career is all over the place and I'm not going to get growth opportunities because I lack the patience I need and dont have the ability to keep my mouth *** when things arent right.

[Crash_Cart]

23 minutes ago, NickiLaughs said:

First thing was both my bosses were put on mandatory personal leave. 4 months later we still have no boss.

23 minutes ago, NickiLaughs said:

The lack of formal leadership in our department doesn't help.

...Where do you go from here?

Looking for growth opportunity? Want to change things for the better?

There it is in those two paragraphs noted above, ripe and ready for the taking...

You are the new boss! What are you waiting for?

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

8 minutes ago, Crash_Cart said:

Looking for growth opportunity? Want to change things for the better?

There it is in those two paragraphs noted above, ripe and ready for the taking...

You are the new boss! What are you waiting for?

Thanks. I’ve actually thought about this. I’m still awaiting the position to be posted, but I have thought about applying. The wait continues.

[Crash_Cart]

Just now, NickiLaughs said:

Thanks. I’ve actually thought about this. I’m still awaiting the position to be posted, but I have thought about applying. The wait continues.

You don't "wait", you "act"

Go get it... It's yours for the taking.

[kp2016]

It seems to me you should make an appointment with management and ask to be made the interim manager. Posting the position, interviewing, hiring and getting someone started may take months.

[TitaniumPlates]

On 7/30/2019 at 11:52 PM, Crash_Cart said:

You don't "wait", you "act"

Go get it... It's yours for the taking.

Although I appreciate your enthusiasm and ambition CC, you don't know where NikkiLaughs works. If you did, you would understand that once she "stepped on toes" she has a black mark in their eyes.

I should know. I worked for the same employer and saw precisely the same stuff as NL has seen, did exactly what she did--followed the law and encouraged others to do so--and was the recipient of a cancelled contract for it. Others that tow the party line, no matter what stupidity or unsafe practice occurs---are rewarded handsomely.

SSDD---it's a case of no matter how strong the union is--management will find a subtle and legal way to make you miserable if you go against them. This is how nurses are treated universally. By each other, and by management.

Nikki--I think your idea is a good one--go "across the street" and get some of your bada$$ back on at the ER or ICU--get the longview of what's really going on at your present employer.

[TriciaJ, RN]

On 7/31/2019 at 3:30 AM, kp2016 said:

It seems to me you should make an appointment with management and ask to be made the interim manager. Posting the position, interviewing, hiring and getting someone started may take months.

Exactly. Because the people in charge of posting and hiring have no sense of urgency. They're not the ones missing lunches and working in a middle school atmosphere.