Can't always listen to the hype

2 I work in the ICU of a small hospital. My nurse manager covers the ICU as well as the tele floor. Like all hospitals, there can be a lot of negative attitudes going around. As hard as one trys to ignore the moaning and complaining, it can be hard not to get caught up in it sometimes.

I hear a lot of people complaining about how our manager nitpicks so many things, and is constantly writing people up for every little thing. I've always tried to keep in mind, no one knows how many times they didn't get wrote up, so maybe it was well deserved.

Last week I had a situation, that the family complained and made a really big deal. At the time, I thought I handled everything well, and giving the best possible care I could. When I came in the next day, i was told they no longer wanted me caring for the patient. In hindsight, I can see things I could have done different. I wasn't necessarily wrong per say, but there was more I could have done. Hind sight is 20/20. I'm also new to the ICU, I've been off orientation for a few months, so I am still learning. (my actions did not harm the patient, although the family was blaming me for his deterioration.

As my manager was on vacation, another unit manager came to discuss things with me, letting me know my manager would talk to me when she came back. From letting others attitude affect me, I spent the last week sure I was going to get wrote up. For no reason. My manager basically said that it sounded like I took it to heart, I took it as a learning experience and am growing from it. Situations are going to happen and it's the attitude the nurse holds towards them that she looks for. Had I come in with the attitude I did nothing wrong, blah blah blah, then I might have been in trouble.

I have definitely learned my lesson about listening to the gossip. I've been there 7 months, have never been in trouble, and never been wrote up. I try to keep a positive attitude and do my job properly. Guess it really does count for something
Yeah. It's a blessing to have a boss who takes time to KNOW you. Then when some trash-talker comes along to try to get you in trouble with her, you're OK.Preceptors tried twice to trash me in sit-downs with the boss and it backfired on them, so I know she was watching me closely in those first weeks, even if I wasn't aware of it.I figure it's been done behind my back way more than twice, but I've only had her ask me for clarification on things I did twice, then heard no more.I think something else goes along with that. I don't complain about others to her. You're probably the same way. I got very close last week, but in the end I decided not to waste her time.And thinking about it, everything gets talked about on the floor, so any complaints I had and didn't pass to her probably got to her by another route.

Quote from anonymurseYeah. It's a blessing to have a boss who takes time to KNOW you. Then when some trash-talker comes along to try to get you in trouble with her, you're OK.Preceptors tried twice to trash me in sit-downs with the boss and it backfired on them, so I know she was watching me closely in those first weeks, even if I wasn't aware of it.I figure it's been done behind my back way more than twice, but I've only had her ask me for clarification on things I did twice, then heard no more.I think something else goes along with that. I don't complain about others to her. You're probably the same way. I got very close last week, but in the end I decided not to waste her time.And thinking about it, everything gets talked about on the floor, so any complaints I had and didn't pass to her probably got to her by another route.

Its too bad that some NMs would rather spend time writing someone up than using that time to discuss what alternatives to the situation could have been implemented. This would be especially beneficial to you if the family felt you contributed to the "detrioration" of their loved one. This would also be a good time for the NM to step in with the family and do a little PR.

Quote from HiHoCherry-OIts too bad that some NMs would rather spend time writing someone up than using that time to discuss what alternatives to the situation could have been implemented. This would be especially beneficial to you if the family felt you contributed to the "detrioration" of their loved one. This would also be a good time for the NM to step in with the family and do a little PR.

Wow. It would have been easier for you NM to just write you up. It actually takes a lot more out of a person to be understanding. We should all be blessed with such understanding people in our lives. I'm happy it didn't end up being too big of a problem for you.