[DutchgirlRN]

I got a call today from the owner of the HH agency that I work for. I've only been in HH for 3 months. She offered me a full-time supervisory position, M-F, 8-4:30 with my own closed office. She said she was very impressed with me and had heard only good things about me from physicians, patients and even the other nurses. I was flattered but I'm enjoying the freedom HH offers and am not ready to be in an office all day. I just got away from the hospital rat race. I am thrilled with my flexibility now. I don't have to ever worry about missing anything since I can arrange my schedule anyway that I want. I think I would so miss patient contact. I told her I'd like to hear more about it and have some time to think about it before giving her an answer. She said that would be wonderful so we're meeting next Wednesday. What kind of position do you imagine this would be? She said the DON desperately needed my help. I was thinking, since I'm PRN, about offering to spend some days in the office doing whatever it is they need me to do until they find someone and spend other days out in the field. I just can't cope with being cooped up for 5 days just now, just after getting over burnout, opinions anyone?

I get $60/visit, no mileage. Case conference and Inservice time is $19/hr. Should I ask for more per hour working in the office?

[glolilly]

Hello DutchgirlRN,

I don't know much of anything about the supervisory position in detail. But I know I wrote you awhile back telling you how I was looking for that "happy nursing spot" in life after reading about your happiness you felt on your new job. I left a hosp. 3 day week job and went to a 5 day job. I miss the flexiblity and free days off. I think you might get boxed in the office with your days and office structure. You sound happy, so I wouldn't let them push me into what they need vs. what you need. I would tell them I'm honored with the offer, but I'm happy in the position that I'm in at the present time. Good Luck to you.

[DutchgirlRN]

Originally Posted by glolilly

Hello DutchgirlRN,

I don't know much of anything about the supervisory position in detail. But I know I wrote you awhile back telling you how I was looking for that "happy nursing spot" in life after reading about your happiness you felt on your new job. I left a hosp. 3 day week job and went to a 5 day job. I miss the flexiblity and free days off. I think you might get boxed in the office with your days and office structure. You sound happy, so I wouldn't let them push me into what they need vs. what you need. I would tell them I'm honored with the offer, but I'm happy in the position that I'm in at the present time. Good Luck to you.

Thanks, I'm feeling just as you say. I know for a fact I enjoy my days off during the week although they are now far and few in between but there was no way I could have worked 5 days in a row at the hospital w/o being dog tired, heck, I was dog tired after just one day. Now at the end of the work day I'm fine. You might think about HH?

[bonesrn]

I was recently promoted to nursing supervisor at the LTAC hospital where I had been an RN for 4 months. I was previoulsy working d/e 40 hrs due to husband going back to school...prior to that I always worked flex. I work 730-330-4pm m-f now and I do pick up extra shifts just so I can stay in touch with the patients. However, I took the job thinking that I could make a difference and get some things changed...NOT SO EASY....I am really beginning to regret my decision. Now that I have seen "the other side" I really hate it. The bottom line is cost control..HPPD...doesn't matter, whatever senior mgmnt says is the law. Trying to get anything changed or even looked at requires 4 different committe meetings...I have my own office but am never in it because I run around all day trying to put out fires...their are different rules for different people...lots of paperwork...etc. Once my husband is done with school I am going to go back to flex. I wish you luck but my advise is to think long and hard..I know that I became a nurse because I love the patients. I would rather be a worker bee.

[jnette]

Gosh, Dutch...decisions, decisions!

It is an honor, to be sure, but I can understand your concerns here, too. I know that I could never be happy being confined to an office all day, 5 days a week. The open road is far more appealing to me!
As well as the up close and personal patient contact you mentioned.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... I think I would ask them to condider a compromise? Any way you could do 2 days in the office, and the rest "out there"?

I don't know how many days per week you work, but I work M-F with occas'l week end call. I could handle 2 days having my own office, and learning something new in this supervisory role, being a supportive mentor, and helping to keep things running smoothly for all. But not a permanent switch to 5 days/wk.

I'd ask them if you could work out something along those lines and see what they offer, if they are willing or able to let you do both.

Keep us posted!

By the way... did you see my pics I posted on yesterday's GM thread (around page 5, I think) of the scenery as I traveled the back roads to my home visits? Go take a look! Just one more thing I love about this line of work.......

[goody1shoe]

Originally Posted by bonesrn

I was recently promoted to nursing supervisor at the LTAC hospital where I had been an RN for 4 months. I was previoulsy working d/e 40 hrs due to husband going back to school...prior to that I always worked flex. I work 730-330-4pm m-f now and I do pick up extra shifts just so I can stay in touch with the patients. However, I took the job thinking that I could make a difference and get some things changed...NOT SO EASY....I am really beginning to regret my decision. Now that I have seen "the other side" I really hate it. The bottom line is cost control..HPPD...doesn't matter, whatever senior mgmnt says is the law. Trying to get anything changed or even looked at requires 4 different committe meetings...I have my own office but am never in it because I run around all day trying to put out fires...their are different rules for different people...lots of paperwork...etc. Once my husband is done with school I am going to go back to flex. I wish you luck but my advise is to think long and hard..I know that I became a nurse because I love the patients. I would rather be a worker bee.

I appreciate your input. I have alot of education but don't want to be in management. I have been approached numerous times and suspected it would be just as you say. Bottom line = $$$. I will have my MSN in June and being a NP I'll still be involved with patients. Yes the worker bee is where I will be also. I hope things go smoothly for you and soon you'll be flexing again!

[CardioTrans]

I dont know if I would take it. I have done home care off and on for almost 15 yrs. I have been in the field and in a supervisory position. The least stressful of the 2...in the field. The office brings on a whole new meaning to burn out. Keeping up with the nurses, home care aides, insurance companies, Medicare rules and changes, MD phone calls, patient calls/complaints, finding coverage for visits when someone calls in sick, when people are on vacation, the education classes you have to do for the nurses, the meetings, not to mention the 8-430 or 5 chain to the desk.

Think long and hard about it before you decide.

[VivaLasViejas]

Well, you & I have discussed burnout before, and you know what I went through recently myself---what would you advise ME to do in this situation?

Follow your bliss.........as flattering as it is to be asked, if you don't want this position, don't take it. If your boss is as great as she seems to be, she'll understand, and she'll find someone else. You've been through too much and grown too much wisdom to allow yourself to be placed in a situation where you KNOW you're still vulnerable.

Now me, I'm thriving on the 9-4, M-F routine, and I'm putting in more time than that, but it's MY CHOICE to do so---I decide the hours and the pace, I take breaks when I feel like it, and if I want to go in on a nice quiet Saturday or Sunday and take a day off during the week, I can do that too. I have my own office with a door that closes (although it's open pretty much all the time unless I'm doing something that requires intensive concentration---or surfing allnurses! ) AND I can be in there---or not---as I choose.

The key here is control: I do my job the way I want and need to do it. Therefore, there is no stress in working long hours, or in being there however many days a week I feel I need to be. Now, IF you did want to try the management position, and IF you could work out a similar arrangement with your supervisor, you'd do OK. It's all about having choices and being trusted to do your job your way.