What might be going on?

Viviana, ASN, RN · May 20, 2019

1 hour ago, Ruby Vee said:
I agree with JKL33 -- it isn't bullying. Unless, of course, there's a pattern of eye rolling but it doesn't seem as though that is the case.
I find it disquieting that so many are prepared to jump on the bullying band wagon with scant evidence (she rolled her eyes once a year ago) and even less understanding about the nature of true bullying. True bullying is targeted, over time and it's meant to cause harm. Eye rolling, while not particularly professional, could be just a reaction by someone who is under stress confronted with a trivial request or complaint. Incivility, perhaps, or even rudeness. But not bullying. When someone claims that every interaction they don't like is bullying, that waters down the true bullying that a few -- very few -- of us have actually been subjected to.

The complaints leveled by her staff led me to think of bullying. It has been my observation that some charge nurses belittle/demean the floor nurses they are supervising, and they may not even realize they are doing it. I'm just encouraging the OP to stop and consider if she is doing that.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · May 21, 2019

Sounds sketchy, start looking at other jobs just in-case. I am not trying to make you worry but I hope they aren't looking for an excuse to fire you because they want to bring someone in at a cheaper rate, who is willing to do cartwheels for the low salary.

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · May 21, 2019

This is a tactic used by HR and higher management when they want to get rid of you. How do I know? I know because I worked at a company (non-healthcare) and this was exactly the set-up they started using when they want you gone, but have to start to document proof so it doesn't come back to bite them you know where. I also know this is the case because, as much as I'm ashamed to admit this, I was one of those people who was guilted into providing proof in order to get rid of somebody. The proof was not made up, but was construed to be a huge damaging error to the company.

They start off by having people write something that can be perceived or documented as incompetent, wrong, etc... Then HR takes those things and compiles a list for your "record." Then at some point of time they call you in or when you have a review, they will assign you tasks that there's no way you can complete in the time they want you to complete them in OR tasks they know you are not an expert in and will ultimately fail in. If it's a supposed behavior issue they claim you have, then they will just tell you you haven't improved enough. If you mess up, they can write you up and they keep writing you up & give you warnings until they have enough on you to officially fire you.

This isn't good. Start looking for another job ASAP. If you haven't saved up some cash, start doing it right now so you at least have something to live off in case.

I hate being such a bummer, but this is what I know and what I saw done.

Good luck!

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 21, 2019

4 hours ago, Viviana said:
The complaints leveled by her staff led me to think of bullying. It has been my observation that some charge nurses belittle/demean the floor nurses they are supervising, and they may not even realize they are doing it. I'm just encouraging the OP to stop and consider if she is doing that.

Some people think of bullying no matter what the situation. I find it so disheartening that so many of the newer nurses see bullying in every interaction they don’t like. Sadly, many of these nurses are actually bullying the charge nurses and preceptors with their incessant and false claims of being bullied.

nursemike, ASN, RN · May 21, 2019

I nearly died, spent a year on medical leave, and had a very hard time coming back to work. Three years later, I'm still not entirely up to speed. I'm not saying it was worth all that to get out of doing charge. But, I'm not saying it wasn't.

gemmi999 · May 21, 2019

Do you have a union representative? A copy of your evaluation? Any write ups or previous meetings regarding issues ranging from more then a year ago?

It does sound like they are trying to fire you/set up cause to fire you because of either expense or personal vendetta. Get a lawyer, keep a paper trail. Print everything that is in your email or forward it to another email address that is *not* associated with your job.

Basically, get your ducks in a row.

Then, decide what you want to do. Do you want to wait to be fired and then go on unemployment? Do you want a legal fight? Can you afford to have a prolonged period of unemployment if you decide to take it to court/mediation? Does your boss have a boss? If so, you can set up a meeting with your evaluation from 6 weeks previous that had no complaints listed and ask what is going on. You can meet with HR regarding the incident.

You have the power, you get to decide what to do with it.

Editorial Team / Moderator · May 21, 2019

9 hours ago, nursemike said:
I nearly died, spent a year on medical leave, and had a very hard time coming back to work. Three years later, I'm still not entirely up to speed. I'm not saying it was worth all that to get out of doing charge. But, I'm not saying it wasn't.

Sense of humor fully intact. ? Glad you are on the mend!

Forest2 · May 21, 2019

On 5/17/2019 at 6:14 PM, Bagatha said:
You are an older charge nurse. You are working the evening shift, early on the day of your next shift, you received a call from your nursing manager telling you she wants you to meet her at HR as soon as possible, that day. You go, you received a three page list of complaints sent email to manager from nurses who work under you. One of the complaints goes back over a year and includes you being incivil by rolling your eyes. Another is that a nurse asked you for help and you had another nurse help her. You, also, received a three page list of improvements that you must do within the month to make things better. It also says that if you do not follow through, further steps will be taken. You ask what will happen and who determines whether you have completed the tasks satisfactorily. You are then told this is not official. You have worked at this hospital for 15 years and you have been a charge nurse for 8 years. You had a very satisfactory yearly evaluation 6 weeks ago. What do you think they might be trying to tell you?

They are telling you that they are going to fire you. Reason? I'd guess ageism. I would document every word they say, everything.

Forest2 · May 21, 2019

On 5/20/2019 at 1:07 PM, Viviana said:
YES, it is. Read this article from Nurse.com. Please let me know if you need more of an evidence base: https://www.nurse.com/blog/2017/08/23/how-to-recognize-and-prevent-bullying-in-nursing/

I think that a one time eye rolling isn't bullying. But doing it chronically and always targeting one person, yea, you are on the cusp there and better stop.

So in this case I'd say the eye rolling was not bullying. Just going from the information I was given.

jetsy62 · May 21, 2019

They are setting things up to give you the choice of being fired or resigning your position. If you believe this to be true, I would immediately write a very nice letter to anyone that was part of the meeting and state that you felt threatened by those in the meeting that have authority over your continued employment at the facility, and in fact bullied by the conversation, are experiencing anxiety having to work with nurses that obviously perceive you in a way that is counter to your numerous positive evaluations, blah, blah, blah. Hit it hard. Make sure the email goes to all involved. I hate to play this game, but they are playing with your livelihood and it is not a nice thing to do.

ShadowNurse · May 21, 2019

Giving you just thirty days' notice to address what they claim are large and systemic problems (and clearly "or else") is a huge red flag too. My last job was full of BS, but even they were willing to work with me through my whole 3-month orientation before we me mutually agreed it wasn't working.