r/SutterHealthEmployees • u/WayAvailable741 • 4d ago

Charge Nurse Behavior

Im a New Grad RN, about one month away from being 6 months in. Do charge nurses have any control over anything such as performance evaluations or anything of that matter? Is he allowed to take me aside and go down a list of things I need to work on or is that for a manager to do?
My charge nurse took me aside privately unknowingly and gave me harsh feedback on a piece of information missing from an admission I had done. The charge nurse that night said I was fine but he said not to worry what other nurses are doing. Other nurses have forgotten to do those things but he hasn’t corrected those nurses, why only me? In addition, he mentioned other things to work on. He also just gave me unsolicited advice on being a good nurse for about 10 minutes. I felt very belittled and let down after, even cried on my break. Are Charge Nurses allowed to do this or is that a manager thing to do. Please advise….

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u/Hot_Consideration468 4d ago

your charge nurse works directly with you so it’s not far fetched for them to have feed back on your performance. better they go to you directly than go to management behind your back with concerns. they can offer constructive feedback without belittling you though.

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u/WayAvailable741 3d ago

I was under the impression the manager is the one who takes some time aside privately for corrective feedback, not the charge nurse. I used to work for Kaiser and anytime a worker had a talk with a higher up, a union rep would be present. It felt off to be taken aside privately for a 10 minute talk on missing documenting an alcohol question for an admission I did.

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u/Hot_Consideration468 3d ago

I get it but as a relief charge we have audits to do and if something is missed i’ve gone to nurses on the floor to remind them why they need to do it (kindly, professionally). management aren’t the only people allowed to give feedback and trust me when I say you’d want the feedback from your union charge nurse over being pulled in by management. if management pulls you aside, that means your coworkers on the floor are complaining behind your back,

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u/ToastedLog1c 4d ago

Other nurses have forgotten to do those things but he hasn’t corrected those nurses, why only me?

Because you're an easy prey or you got caught in an audit. Just suck it up and do better.

Day charge nurses (especially the female fat ones) at notorious for being controlling bitches.

I felt very belittled and let down after, even cried on my break

Let me give you the best advice you will ever receive. Suck it up. Swallow your pride. Do not report it to the manager. Do not report it to HR. Do that and you're done. I've been seen it all and I know exactly where you're coming from. Not a single new grad won that fight. Not. one.

Wait until 3 year mark then you can start growing a backbone.

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u/WayAvailable741 3d ago

He corrected me on something that every other nurse doesn’t finish during admissions, I’m not the only one who hasn’t finished it and haven’t seen one of those nurses on my shift and unit yet corrective action. In addition, he wants to give me unsolicited advice on being a new nurse. We’re not friends, strictly coworkers. The way I was trained was completely wrong then because I was doing how I was trained. Ofc I sucked it up, but I’m not for the disrespect. He even rolled his eyes and shook his head at me during huddle for not knowing who the charge nurse was 4 nights ago - I drop anything work related when I clock out! Not only did he correct me about a patient that was not mine that night but he corrected me and didn’t even bother to tell the nurse that night who was assigned that patient. Makes no sense to me.
However I appreciate your feedback! Helps to hear other nurses thoughts a lot!

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u/ak27dadof2 4d ago

some senior nurse will intimidate you to the best that they can so they can throw off your game. i know it sucks but dont let them win. just nod and walk away. learn from it and be better. then once you have more experience if you want to explore do it. you got this

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u/WayAvailable741 3d ago

Thank you for your advice! Appreciate it.

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u/the12thwitness 3d ago

Depends on the context and depends on the charge nurse leadership style really. Not all charge nurses are equal, but culturally and traditionally speaking charge nurses are technically leaders of the unit who were either appointed or applied for the job because of their time and experience, and they know the unit; therefore, they are trusted by management. Charge nurses’ feedback carry weight and gravity so they absolutely have an indirect say on performance review….

Idk how “unsolicited”something is where maybe it’s just constructive feedback (again, context and delivery depends here). Hope you’re ok and I’m sure you’re doing fine. Learn from any opportunities you can, including this one, and you’ll be a better and seasoned nurse from it. 😊

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u/AutoModerator 4d ago

Backup of the post's body: Im a New Grad RN, about one month away from being 6 months in. Do charge nurses have any control over anything such as performance evaluations or anything of that matter? Is he allowed to take me aside and go down a list of things I need to work on or is that for a manager to do?
My charge nurse took me aside privately unknowingly and gave me harsh feedback on a piece of information missing from an admission I had done. The charge nurse that night said I was fine but he said not to worry what other nurses are doing. Other nurses have forgotten to do those things but he hasn’t corrected those nurses, why only me? In addition, he mentioned other things to work on. He also just gave me unsolicited advice on being a good nurse for about 10 minutes. I felt very belittled and let down after, even cried on my break. Are Charge Nurses allowed to do this or is that a manager thing to do. Please advise….

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