One day this may happen to you. You land your dream job and it’s your first day at work. You’re excited because you have waited all your life for this job. Then you meet a seemingly satanic character that turns out to be your nurse manager. Before you start looking for the nearest exit, stop, breath, and then take action. By following a few simple steps, you might be able to keep your dream job from turning into a nightmare.

I’ve been a psychiatric nurse for many years, and I’m a great believer that we teach people how to treat us, even in the workplace. However, it’s very important that you take immediate action if you believe that your boss is victimizing you. Be diplomatic, and tell your boss exactly what is bothering you. Use explicit examples, and tell your boss how their behavior is affecting your job performance. Don’t try talking to your boss when they are walking down the hall, or when they are getting ready for a meeting. Timing is everything. Pick a time that is convenient for both of you, and talk in a quiet, private place. Most importantly, remain cool and calm. Don’t confront your boss in an emotionally charged rant. If your nurse manager is a bully, ask your hospital’s human resources director to sit in on the meeting. Hospitals are taking a more active role in employee mediation because they don’t want nurses to quit and leave the nursing profession.

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from a bad nurse manager is to communicate in writing. Getting things in writing eliminates plausible denial. No one can claim he or she was out of the loop, and it keeps everyone honest. It also keeps the conversation civil. I once told a boss that if she wasn’t willing to put her comments down in writing, she had no business saying them to me in first place. Also, keep a journal of everything that happens at work. Write down times, date, and quotes. It can be used as evidence if you ever have to take your boss to court. Also, ask for a copy of your hospital’s employee handbook. It will spell out your institution’s code of conduct and will tell you how to file a grievance just in case you can’t work things out with your boss.

Take your concerns up the corporate ladder if you can’t work things out with your boss. If your pleas for help fall on deaf ears, it’s time to move on. Life is too short to work in a job that you can’t stand. Remember, there is a nursing shortage and you are in demand. There’s another job just around the corner. Check out the job listings on NursingJobs.org to find your next nursing dream job.

Have you had a bad boss? Are you currently working for a bad boss? Leave a comment or join us in the NursingVoices forum to share your story.