Workplace Bullies

ilovetheelderly · Dec 31, 2003

What a present issue that just makes your job just harder! I often a few years back had to work on a floor at times with this bully (fellow nurse coworker) who would tell me in a very sarcastic and domineering manner of what was needed to be done and not in a polite way. This nurse would want to know where you were going, why, and who was on the phone and what was said and so forth. I always remained professional and many times her behavior was tolerated. Quite a few times, I would walk away or indicate to her that I did have a life outside of nursing that she wasn't welcomed into. For some reason, she was always finished with the med pass 1 hr and 1/2, which was also including rounds, at least 1/2 hr break and maybe 2 cigarette breaks, personal phone calls and who knows what else. Then, she would sit at the nurse's station, do doc's orders and paperwork. Well, her attention to everyone's work caught on to those who then started watching her, and guess what. She was terminated for not passing meds (only passed the so called important ones, which Lord only knows what she did), falsified routine bp's, pulses, temps and treatments. So, sometimes these bullies are trying to cover something else up, but they don't know the good Lord knows everything that goes on and its just a matter of time before their dirty deeds are picked up on!! I pray you hang in there and stay strong and above all else pray without ceasing!!

jacey · Dec 31, 2003

Believe it or not they have books out on how to deal with these people. If you look it up on the internet there is quite a bit of information. I think just knowing there are people out here that know what you are going thru should help some. I had a supervisor for the last 3 1/2 years that I would consider was a bully ( many others I worked with would agree ) . She was a non medical supervisor with no degree. no knowlege of what she was talking about, and didn't really care much about taking care of the families we were working with. In the end though there was no solution. I finally had to file a grievance against her and one month later my position was eliminated. This was a federal program and i had just gone thru a federal review with a perfect score. These people are pros at protecting themselves and usually get away with it. I found that although everyone that I worked with complained about the situation when it came down to it they were too afraid of losing their jobs to do anything. I never did read any of the books about how to deal with Bullies but maybe that would help you. I do know that if you decide to try to take action be prepared to go it alone, people are just too afraid. Another thing you could do is keep a journal of what comes up during each shift and that could help potect you if there is ever any issue brought up by the Bully against you. Good Luck stay strong .:kiss

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

After acknowledging that there was a problem... I spoke to the DON and adm about the lack of professionalism, bulling and lack of respect from the CNA and LPN staff. I decided to fight back instead of ingnoring the issues (like the DON) or just "dealing with it" As the RN, I was the supervisor and resposible for their actions. I actually had a meeting with all of my staff and specifically told them my expectations (mostly just read from their job descriptions and employee hand book) and then what they can expect from me. I also told them I won't be bullied or tolerate their insubordination much longer (the administator and DON were happy that someone, me, was actually standing up to the bullies) A few write ups later..... most of them quit, got fired, or changed shifts.....

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Originally posted by ilovetheelderly
For some reason, she was always finished with the med pass 1 hr and 1/2, which was also including rounds, at least 1/2 hr break and maybe 2 cigarette breaks, personal phone calls and who knows what else. Then, she would sit at the nurse's station, do doc's orders and paperwork. Well, her attention to everyone's work caught on to those who then started watching her, and guess what. She was terminated for not passing meds (only passed the so called important ones, which Lord only knows what she did), falsified routine bp's, pulses, temps and treatments. So, sometimes these bullies are trying to cover something else up, but they don't know the good Lord knows everything that goes on and its just a matter of time before their dirty deeds are picked up on!!

It just goes to show that what goes around...comes around. I'd make someone higher up well aware of what these two are up to, because they will continue to get away with it...as long as you and others keep your mouths shut. I was faced with a similar situation two weeks ago. I DIDN'T keep mine shut, and the person who was formerly under the impresssion that someone had died and made her God, is singing a different tune!

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

I have an even better idea: Make an anonymous phone call to your state DHR, and report to them that you have observed two employees of this facility being verbally abusive towards their residents. That ought to get someone's attention! :devil:

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2003

Woops..didnt see the part about their care towards the residents..just another thing I wouldn't tolerate. Please don't let these folks get away with another day of mistreatment... if the higher ups won't do thier jobs a call to the dept of health would strir things up:eek:

cadeusus2004 · Jan 4, 2004

Rane330,

Write 'em up. They are there for the patients, not themselves or their assuming friendships. You, on the other hand, have nothing to lose but a bad job.

I am usually very casual about staff. They know what they have to do and know they have to do it. If they balk I tell them, "You doesn't has to like it; You just has to do it." No excuses.

I have also said, "You are working under my license and I worked for it, not you."

If I catch a nurse or a CNA verbally or physically abusing a patient, I first make sure the patient is safe. Then, I separate the aggressor from the clinical area. Immediately. Then I make sure I tell my supervisor that I am reporting it to the BON as I am obligated to do. Then I report it in all detail and keep a copy for myself and my insurance company who has nasty lawyers just waiting to eat my enemies for breakfast.

These are cases of blatant patient abuse. You don't have options.

I report the LPN, the CNA and the facility. If the DON tells you not to do it, report him or her. If the administrator does the same, report him. The more the merrier. Hell hath no fury like the Accreditation Review Board coming down on a facility. (My late wife, an RN, was on the Board and was called "the Ax". She closed down three facilities in one day.)

You will not lose your license. You did the right thing. You can go work someplace else. And if you really think the CNA will cover for the LPN, you will be surprised how friendships dissolve under the scrutiny of the law. If the CNA is from another country, it will happen all the quicker. Bye Bye Green Card. Hello, Old Country. Hell, they'll be blaming each other for the French Revolution. The facility will fire them out of a cannon.

Meanwhile, you can go out and get a real job.

Don't Pussy Foot. You, your license and your patients come first.

Simple, huh?

(by the way, make sure you get copies of all your incident reports and make sure you document everything, in the chart. Obliterating patient documentation is a federal felony. When the family lawyer sees it, its gonna be double fun in court. Oh. cover your tail with your graphic description of the interventions. You may end up in court. But just what is that NSO insurance there for, anyway? Besides, the nurse gets tagged less than 1% of the time for malpractice.)

How do I know? I did it.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2004

One of my pet peeves... bullies. These noxious people must be put in their place.

Each situation is different, so we all have to figure out our own way to deal with them. But always use your head.

Good luck!

cadeusus2004 · Jan 5, 2004

Larry,

I was commenting on the specific case. You are, however, correct. The ting is to nip the sucker in the bud as hard and fast as you can. When I was in the service I came down really hard on bullies since they destroy the team and the mission. sometimes you have to use the "baboon hierarchy" approach, though its not for every case.

One cannot be timid in dealing with this.

Watchout, though: Some of these people will try to gete back by sabatoge of the patient (cutting g-tubes at their bases, changing IV rate flows, placing patients in bed so they will fall, undoing dressings, pulling duragesic patches off patients and falsely reporting vital signs so that they hope the nurse will go into crisis mode. I make assignments so I can track the behavior of a CNA or the other nurse and go and check back regularly- by the way, G-tube splits are ragged, cuts are clean. Check your patches early and tell the CNAs you have and to look for the patches and don't disturb them. If they are gone it is the CNA's fault.

And, don't, whatever there is to do, show any fear. And stay chilly.

and Write 'em up and follow-up.

Remember to praise good CNAs for their fine work.

There is a time to be a royal SOB and another to be the understanding guide. But no screwing around on this one. the leader leads. (Lots of good books on how to handle bullies: One is called "How To Handle Bullies In The Workplace". There are also courses on it. Look online.)

(Yep. I've been through this number before a few times. Always won.)

Rane330 · Jan 6, 2004

Hello Again,

A very sincere "thank you" to all who have shared their stories, along with some very good advice. "Keeping a cool head" being foremost in my mind.

"cadeusus," I will absolutely remember to praise those good CNAs for their fine work, as you're speaking to one.

I just witnessed a charge nurse become totally flustered and caustic to an Alzheimer's patient who refused to cooperate in taking her meds - and you bet I'll be filling out an incident report. I'm taking no prisoners at this point.

Thanks again everyone. You were all a tremendous help.

-Rane

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, you'll be a mile from them, and you'll have their shoes." Jack Handy