Hate Your Boss? I Like Mine

Some of you may have read my hub, "How I Did Not Get Fired".  For those who haven't, let me explain.  I was Director of Nursing in a small, private, for profit surgery center.  And by the end of two years at this job, I was ready to shoot myself.  I hated the politics, the constant whining from above and the hours.  At the end of my contract, I think I was about to be fired, but I was too thrilled to be able to step down to understand.  Now I am just another nurse in the same place and I have a new nurse manager.

My conditions for staying is that the new nurse manger was OK with it, and that I did not have to "charge" ever again.  Well, the new nurse manager was good with me staying and, as of the moment, I am still there.  The never being charge has not worked out so well, but it is not often and I just have to answer questions for the staff...not talk to the whiny-butt executive director!  That man will find anything and everything to whine about.

Before (we'll call her Jane) Jane started, management and the staff were pretty nervous about how we would get along.  The staff would ask me how I would take it if she changed something I had started.  My answer was it would be her decision and I was happy it was no longer mine. 

People are always nervous when a new boss is about to appear, and this was evident.  I told a couple of my strong supporters that they had better get along with and do well for the new manager.  If she did not work out, I just knew that I would have to step in.  I told them that I would not be able to stay if that happened.

Now Jane and I laugh about how many doubts people had.  She tells me that management was just as bad.  Asking her over and over if she was sure she didn't mind.  She says she did not understand what the problem was.  She and I are alike in many ways.

I did have some trepidation when she first started.  She came on the recommendation of the executive director.  I expected a liar and a cheat.  What I've gotten is a personable, friendly woman who now works 60 hours a week and allows me to go home after 40.  WooooHoooo!  There is so much to be said for a 40 hour work week! 

Jane has become a friend over the past 6 months.  I really enjoy her sense of humor and love of life.  She and I had a talk during her first week.  I asked her if she minded my staying, I knew I could not believe the executive director and asked her myself.  She laughed saying if I did not mind staying, she would love to have me.  I told her my goal was to make her look as good as possible, so that I would never, ever have to have that job again.  Thus it began...

Our working relationship is very good. I am there if she has questions about policy, procedure, or the history of certain issues. She makes sure I never, ever have to deal with the executive director. It is a perfect world. She has changed some of the things I instituted and I have backed every one. I never tell her it was something I started, who knows if the rest of the staff does. I just tell everyone else it's a great idea and do it.

The best part is that I am becoming myself again. I have been having a great deal of fun at work again. I get to work in the OR's on a regular basis. I have my "own" docs that I work with weekly (and they love me!). I also call the patients prior to their arrival to ensure they are healthy enough to come to our facility.

I smile much more and laugh often. My co-workers often comment on my change...previously I was mainly distracted and harassed. When they come to me, out of habit, to ask me about changes they may like to see, I ask them to talk to Jane. A few have commented that I seem much too happy when I say this. (Only because it is true!)

I do feel bad at times that she came to us looking so young and cheerful. Now she often looks tired and harassed. I thank her almost daily for being there and she does the same to me. She knows I understand and although she doesn't vent to me often, she knows when she does I will understand. I feel for her, I really do...but that doesn't keep my from being so happy that I no longer have to deal with certain "issues".

Yesterday, she told me that she was surprised that management still asks her if she is OK with me there. (I know who she means by management.) She and I laughed about this again. The staff seems to understand that I love having her there. The medical director and certain of the docs have commented about how changed I am. I think they all realize who was driving me crazy.

The change has been wonderful for me. I enjoy work much more. I made a new friend. I am happier. Remember that only you can make your reality. If you approach the future with hope and focus on good thoughts, your reality will match. If I had decided I would hate her before meeting her, my reality would have matched. And I would be missing out on a very special person!