What should I do in this situation? (Very afraid)

[LvlupNurse]

So I’ve been a Tele RN for a year and half now. The thing is from about 5 months in my ANM would periodically relay that coworkers have been complaining about me. I would inquire in what ways, but was never given anything in particular and only once was I told “you don’t know your patient’s”. This would happen every other 2-3 weeks. I strives extremely hard to improve this, then it was “ALL the patients are complaining”. When I addressed it finally after about 4 months it stopped.

The issue now is that I notice my assignments are different and I get lower acuity, and even nurses with 5-7 months less experience are getting higher acuity. I asked about it and was told there’s nothing to worry about. My main concern however is that I was placed on a Performance improvement plan. I was placed on it to improve patient and employee interaction (although I’ve had patients try an give me their numbers).

I was told we would meet either weekly/biweekly to discuss the progress, however when I inquire I usually get asked “well how do you feel you are doing”and I say all the ways I feel I’m improving ( this is not asked in a sarcastic tone). The thing I still have no idea how I’m doing. What should I do in this situation?

Thanks for any answers given ?

[LvlupNurse]

please

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

The person who put you on the PIP should give a specific and detailed list of improvements they want to see. Things you can measure yourself against. If they have not ASK for it and do not stop asking until it is provided.

Also- don;t worry about anyone else's assignment except yours. You are renting out space in your head when you do that.

[LvlupNurse]

Thank you

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I agree with MMJ. If they won't give you measurable specifics, you need to see the writing on the wall. Even with measurable specifics, you may wish to start looking for a different job.

[LvlupNurse]

On 8/26/2020 at 8:17 AM, Nurse SMS said:

I agree with MMJ. If they won't give you measurable specifics, you need to see the writing on the wall. Even with measurable specifics, you may wish to start looking for a different job.

It’s weird tho. The manager seems nice when we speak, and asked me to be apart of some patient safety commitee after a series of patient issues (although not many other staff volunteered)but I’m not sure if I should wait around or resign before then. It’s been stressing me out this entire month because I can’t really gauge the true intentions. If I didn’t literally force the meetings I’m not sure if we’d ever discuss it, but again she doesn’t seem to dislike me.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

37 minutes ago, LvlupNurse said:

It’s weird tho. The manager seems nice when we speak, and asked me to be apart of some patient safety commitee after a series of patient issues (although not many other staff volunteered)but I’m not sure if I should wait around or resign before then. It’s been stressing me out this entire month because I can’t really gauge the true intentions. If I didn’t literally force the meetings I’m not sure if we’d ever discuss it, but again she doesn’t seem to dislike me.

I would stop trying to figure out where they are at and decide where YOU are at. If this job is this miserable, go find another one.

[amoLucia]

Personally, I don't like the sounds of it. Just my paranoia.

PIPs need to be specific so things can be measured. Also there needs to be a time frame. The facts that your areas of 'need for improvement' seem to be morphing and those follow-up meetings are NOT being followed don't ring true to me.

Most importantly, once they start 'THE PAPER TRAIL', I think the writing is on the wall.

The fact that the manager SEEMS nice to you could just be a false front - trying to dupe or lull you into a false sense of security until they have enough ammo to proceed. Then the hammer will fall.

To me, it just seems they're biding their time. Likely getting all their little duckies in order ; maybe to have a new hire ready to go. For whatever reason, I don't think they want you.  JMHO, like I said I can be paranoid.

You need to be looking elsewhere. Good luck to you.

[LvlupNurse]

15 hours ago, Nurse SMS said:

I would stop trying to figure out where they are at and decide where YOU are at. If this job is this miserable, go find another one.

Thank you. I think you may be correct. I guess apart of me like my coworkers, but I’d be lying if I said I no longer enjoyed the job. Actually it’s not the job or the patients or the families (which brings its own stress). It’s the punitive write ups and the fact that I feel I can’t trust the managers, since I don’t feel they are being 100%transparent with me. It’s hard to explain but my gut has just felt that way since the start, especially with the ANM. Thank you so much and anyone who gave feedback. 

[LvlupNurse]

10 hours ago, amoLucia said:

Personally, I don't like the sounds of it. Just my paranoia.

PIPs need to be specific so things can be measured. Also there needs to be a time frame. The facts that your areas of 'need for improvement' seem to be morphing and those follow-up meetings are NOT being followed don't ring true to me.

Most importantly, once they start 'THE PAPER TRAIL', I think the writing is on the wall.

The fact that the manager SEEMS nice to you could just be a false front - trying to dupe or lull you into a false sense of security until they have enough ammo to proceed. Then the hammer will fall.

To me, it just seems they're biding their time. Likely getting all their little duckies in order ; maybe to have a new hire ready to go. For whatever reason, I don't think they want you.  JMHO, like I said I can be paranoid.

You need to be looking elsewhere. Good luck to you.

 

10 hours ago, amoLucia said:

Personally, I don't like the sounds of it. Just my paranoia.

PIPs need to be specific so things can be measured. Also there needs to be a time frame. The facts that your areas of 'need for improvement' seem to be morphing and those follow-up meetings are NOT being followed don't ring true to me.

Most importantly, once they start 'THE PAPER TRAIL', I think the writing is on the wall.

The fact that the manager SEEMS nice to you could just be a false front - trying to dupe or lull you into a false sense of security until they have enough ammo to proceed. Then the hammer will fall.

To me, it just seems they're biding their time. Likely getting all their little duckies in order ; maybe to have a new hire ready to go. For whatever reason, I don't think they want you.  JMHO, like I said I can be paranoid.

You need to be looking elsewhere. Good luck to you.

Thank you for the response. I did consider this. We’ve been extremely short staffed, with floaters and travelers needing to be used and even some ppl out sick. I’ve have considered that it could be that’s what they’re waiting on. 
 

To reiterate with the PIP. I haven’t gotten any feedback about myself in about 1.5 months. It’s as if the manager doesn’t even know why I’m on one in the first place. It’s actually never mentioned. I usually go in and ask “how am I doing?” , have there been any complaints? , late meds, or any issues? Have the time it hasn’t even been checked.

with that being said I guess I’ll have a lot to think about. The PIP will be up in about 20 more days. 

 

[speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

On 8/24/2020 at 9:33 AM, LvlupNurse said:

So I’ve been a Tele RN for a year and half now. The thing is from about 5 months in my ANM would periodically relay that coworkers have been complaining about me. I would inquire in what ways, but was never given anything in particular and only once was I told “you don’t know your patient’s”. This would happen every other 2-3 weeks. I strives extremely hard to improve this, then it was “ALL the patients are complaining”. When I addressed it finally after about 4 months it stopped.

The issue now is that I notice my assignments are different and I get lower acuity, and even nurses with 5-7 months less experience are getting higher acuity. I asked about it and was told there’s nothing to worry about. My main concern however is that I was placed on a Performance improvement plan. I was placed on it to improve patient and employee interaction (although I’ve had patients try an give me their numbers).

I was told we would meet either weekly/biweekly to discuss the progress, however when I inquire I usually get asked “well how do you feel you are doing”and I say all the ways I feel I’m improving ( this is not asked in a sarcastic tone). The thing I still have no idea how I’m doing. What should I do in this situation?

Thanks for any answers given ?

If your coworkers nor your manager can provide you with specific items to improve on, then something is not quite right. I had ONE job like this - have never had another job like this since. It’s like nothing I did was right....I was too quiet, too fast with patient care, didn’t do things the way “they are always done in this department”, and other things that just didn’t make sense. Never had problems with jobs before that job nor since that job. It was just a weird, petty environment and to this day, I am still baffled as to what the issue was because no one could ever tell me when I asked! Needless to say, I got out of that job as fast as I could. Anyway - just sharing this because sometimes things really just don’t add up in a work environment. If you don’t enjoy your job though and feel anxious and uneasy, I would look for a different one. Plenty of nurses transfer after one year of experience. 

[jschut, BSN, RN]

In my opinion, you are being "groomed to be let go". There needs to be reasons behind what they are saying and doing. If there are no specifics, what can you do? And even though patients try to give you their numbers and are sweet and kind, never take anything for granted. 

I would be wary of these performance improvement plans. I have witnessed certain ones that have taken place and absolutely nothing was asked about pertaining to the job or job performance, but was more an inquiry of the RNs personal life and what was happening therein.  Then, two weeks after the "improvement plan" was complete, a CNA lied and stated that this nurse said to "f*ck him" when a patient requested medication, and this RN was fired. No investigation. 

Watch your back and if I were you, I would be looking for employment elsewhere. But that's just me.... Best of luck to you!