Staff challenges: The staffer who thinks she works harder than others

One of the issues that I find most challenging as a Nurse Manager is dealing with a team member who has a "I work harder than everyone else" attitude. I want this person to feel that what they contribute is important and that they are valued but, struggle with their perception.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Started by: Linda Pavlak (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at November 11, 2009 (3:40 pm)

Comments and Responses

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I let the staff know at their evaluations their attributes and their opportunities for improvement are reflected and their raises will reflect how they have done both good and bad

S. White-Lewis (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at March 23, 2010 (4:12 pm) [last edited on March 23, 2010 (4:14 pm)]

I let the staff know at their evaluations their attributes and their opportunities for improvement are reflected and their raises will reflect how they have done both good and bad

S. White-Lewis (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at March 23, 2010 (4:12 pm) [last edited on March 23, 2010 (4:12 pm)]

I AM one of those people that feels I work harder and I know of several others on our staff who are the ones to excel.. Howevder, when I brought it to the managers attention- she said it was a work ethic!! What about managing the staff?? When you put signs up to not eat breakfaston the time clock etc, not to text etc- then allow them to do this-- is this ethics or management issues??

sara w. (Other) at March 7, 2010 (6:21 pm)

This is a managers continual challenge. We have to remember that staff are not equals. Any parent knows this if they have more than one child, there are differences in temprament, skills and over all effectiveness. We need to acknowledge the skills at all levels. I once had a manager that told me --you have many gifts embrace them, you may do twice the work of some but understand that not everyone can do what you do. Reinforce that persons value and unique skills. We all need to understand that we are different, knowing that you stillneed to acknowledge that perhaps not everyone works to thier capicity and that is the managers job to monitor

Chris R. (Director, Surgical Services / Director of Nursing) at March 1, 2010 (3:00 pm)

Time management and proficiency are keys to my staff being productive. I have found that team members who have decreased levels of time management ultimately have decreased proficiency levels. The staff that excel in time management and proficieny leads to them feeling that they work harder than others. A great response to the staff person would be praise and to involve them with sharing what they do for time management and proficiency as an inservice to other staff members.
Colette Klein (Director, Surgical Servies/Director of Nursing)

Colette Klein (Administrator / Director / Manager / Owner / Executive Officer) at December 31, 2009 (1:49 pm)

This truely is a sticky situation. Yes, we all have that staff member who goes above and beyond and contributes constantly and seems to cover up for their coworkers who may not practice at the same speed. But the staff member who always toots her own horn about how much she does, how fast she does it, and how she runs circles around everyone else can cause resentment in your staff. Everyone contributes to the best of their ability but do not need to feel inadequate for not being the "best" as this other person seems to think she is. I try to acknowlege everyones contributions and thank them often, placing emphasis on the quality of a job well done, not the quantity.

Margaret B. (OR Manager/Supervisor) at December 29, 2009 (8:25 am)

All of the staff need to be recognized at every opportunity which will enhance staff cohesiveness. We have instituted a "You have been caught being good" program where the staff can nominate fellow staff members for recognition because of what they did which was out of the ordinary and good.

One new RN was recognized by one of the RNs who has been here forever thoday for making her day better because of her smile and attitude.

Stuart Katz (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at December 22, 2009 (1:51 pm)

This IS a sticky situation. Partly because as we all know, we do have staff who shall we say tend to do the bare minium, some who always work above and beyond, and those who just are your average employee and do the lions share of the work. However in my experience, the ones who scream the the loudest about working the hardest are not in the above and beyond catagory! What we are talking about is only the tip of the iceberg. That attitude goes beyond the I work harder than everyone else, it colors everything they do here, and OUTSIDE of the center. We know it, we hear it,we see it everyday. I agree that with them that they work hard, and then give examples of what others are doing that they aren't aware. Often they are the the "older" more "experienced" staff and DO think have the physicians ear. However, my medical staff is younger, and don't often agree with statments made by staff in this regard. I am lucky in this regard and can ususally keep attitudes in check. I don't generalize, those staff in question never see themselves as the issue. I take each in hand at it arises. Fair but honest is the best policy. Give credit where credit is due, and try to keep the poor me attitude expression at at minimum.

Chris Anne S. (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at December 22, 2009 (9:42 am)

My staff is seperated by generations. The "older experienced nurse" vs the "younger less experienced nurse." The challenge is to acknowledge that each contributes to the organization in her own way. Just because it has been done a certain way for 25 years does not mean it can't be done a new way. This is what I find with my staff of experienced nurses vs less experienced "young" nurses. Compromising for the better of the patient.
J. Danels, RN, CNOR
Director of Surgery

J. Danels (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at November 24, 2009 (11:22 am)

WOW, this is tuff, the other issue simular is they have the physicians ear and the physicians also think this is the best staff person. I never take credit for anyones work/contibution.
I would hold staff meeting and let everyone share what they are doing and also comment on staff contributions. Most staff just do the right thing and know it is part of their job others have to be stroked and ususally it is them doing the stroking. I slso have gift card that I give to staff who are just doing the right thing and not doing it just for the recogntion.

C. Boyle (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at November 17, 2009 (5:10 pm)

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