Advise on transitioning to management

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Medical-Surgical Acute.

I've recently completed my BSN after working for several years with my ASN on a Med-Surg floor and prior to that, my LPN. My end goal has always been to move up the ladder towards management and/or supervision. I will continue my education, working towards my MSN in the fall. However, most management positions only require the BSN, so I'm hoping to not have to wait until my MSN to make the switch.

It seems like all management postings want management experience though... I have 3 years inpatient experience and another 2 years clinic nursing experience. I'm charge trained and ACLS certified.

My question is- is there a transitional job that anyone would recommend? Like risk management or case management? Any other certifications that would make me a more appealing candidate?

I don't think anyone will hire me as a department manager etc. with only floor nursing experience. (If someone asked my 10-year plan, my dream job would be the DON of a rural hospital or similar.)

I want to make sure I make smart choices for my career.

Thank you!

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I've recently completed my BSN after working for several years with my ASN on a Med-Surg floor and prior to that, my LPN. My end goal has always been to move up the ladder towards management and/or supervision. I will continue my education, working towards my MSN in the fall. However, most management positions only require the BSN, so I'm hoping to not have to wait until my MSN to make the switch.

It seems like all management postings want management experience though... I have 3 years inpatient experience and another 2 years clinic nursing experience. I'm charge trained and ACLS certified.

My question is- is there a transitional job that anyone would recommend? Like risk management or case management? Any other certifications that would make me a more appealing candidate?

I don't think anyone will hire me as a department manager etc. with only floor nursing experience. (If someone asked my 10-year plan, my dream job would be the DON of a rural hospital or similar.)

I want to make sure I make smart choices for my career.

Thank you!

I like, want to be a manager and stuff ...but first, let me take a duck-face selfie. I would recommend cleaning up your social media or at least not using your real name and image. Prospective employers can look you up just as easily as I did- and you do not come across as management material. Harsh, but true.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Acute.

Thank you very much for your wisdom SOUR LEMON, but your reply was not useful or tactful.

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Thank you very much for your wisdom SOUR LEMON, but your reply was not useful or tactful.

It is actually useful advice if you choose to take it. Your call.

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(polite cough) part of being in management is the ability to assimilate constructive criticism without getting defensive. Sour Lemon is right in that it isn't very wise to use your name or likeness as the internet is forever.To get back to your original post, neither case management nor risk management have anything to do with managing people so I don't think either path would be advantageous for your goal of being a DON somewhere. Getting charge nurse experience should lead to a unit management position or if you've the stamina I have seen great advances come quickly in the LTAC or Short Term Rehab environment.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical Acute.

I have scoured my account after the original comment and I don't see my real name listed anywhere..? How are you all seeing my real name so I can remove it? (My name isn't "Tayrah")

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I have scoured my account after the original comment and I don't see my real name listed anywhere..? How are you all seeing my real name so I can remove it? (My name isn't "Tayrah")

I believe the previous posters are referring to the powerful capability of the google search engine.

To get into nursing leadership, you need to look for advancement opportunities. It may not readily come in the acute care setting but you may consider ambulatory care, home health, LTC (as suggested by the previous poster), etc. It is great to have a 10 year goal. However, why do you want to enter nursing leadership and what do you hope to achieve in this path? This is a question you should ask yourself to decide if this is the right path for you. Not saying this is you but the leadership pathway is not for everyone. Most importantly, you don't have to have the title in order to be a leader in nursing. Lastly, getting an MSN in nursing administration does not guarantee you a management role. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.

Typically an assistant nurse manager position is something you could look into first. Perhaps look into that.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I have scoured my account after the original comment and I don't see my real name listed anywhere..? How are you all seeing my real name so I can remove it? (My name isn't "Tayrah")

Well, your twitter handle is the same as what your original SN was here and you list your real name on twitter, which can be used to search you elsewhere on social media.

I don't think you have enough experience to get an acute care management position but, in my experience, Private Duty Nursing agencies are quick to hire RNs with a few years experience into clinical manager roles. At the agency I was previously a clinical manager at, there are several past field nurses (who were terrible at their jobs) who are now managers.

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A little on the side advice...change your avatar. Believe me, people are recognized on here all the time. Best to stay anonymous. Especially if you want to get into management.

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Well, your twitter handle is the same as what your original SN was here and you list your real name on twitter, which can be used to search you elsewhere on social media.

Yup, those darn little tweetybirds ;)

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

My question is- is there a transitional job that anyone would recommend? Like risk management or case management? Any other certifications that would make me a more appealing candidate?

Thank you!

Jobs like risk manager and case manager -- generally do not lead to unit manager jobs because they are a totally different type of "manager." You seem to be wanting a career in Nursing Administration -- a type of management that involves managing personnel, supplies, budgets, etc. Risk Managers and Case Managers don't do those kinds of things.

You should look to be a Charge Nurse or Shift Coordinator, etc. -- something that gives you experience on the operations side of things -- giving you responsibility for managing the work of the other people and being accountable for what they do (and what happens) when you are in Charge.

You can get other good experience by being involved in Shared Governance or as a committee member on a project that plans, implements, and evaluates a change in practice on a clinical unit. Such experience teaches you about how to make change, work with others on a team, etc. People who lead such projects are seen as leaders -- and they are more likely to be selected for jobs such as Assistant Manager, etc.

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