THE CASE OF THE
ABRASIVE PERFECTIONIST
Liz was thrilled when she accepted a job in the medical ICU
(MICU) at a large Level I trauma center. However, it wasn't long before she wondered if she
had made the right decision.
Liz's preceptor, Clare, a 30-year MICU veteran, was not what you would call warm and
fuzzy. She didn't smile and had a drill sergeant's demeanor, becoming abrasive any time Liz
made a mistake (even a minor one) or admitted not knowing something. While Clare was well
known for her excellent clinical skills and ability to quickly act in a crisis situation, many nurses
and physicians were somewhat afraid of her. Clare ran a tight ship whenever she was in
charge, but no one wanted to get on her bad side, which was all too easy to do.
Some said that Clare was just a perfectionist with very high standards. Others said she
was a bully. Liz wasn't sure what to think.
BY RENEE THOMPSON, RN, DNP, DMSRN, CSP ILLUSTRATION BY JASMIN MORA
HEALTHY WORKFORCE
14 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com
September 16–October 14, 2019
