leaving one committee to join another?

[Calabria, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

So I'm currently a member of two committees, in addition to working full-time on my unit. Scheduling is a floor-based committee, the other is a hospital-wide initiative (albeit small, there's about 20 people on it). I'm thinking about leaving the hospital-wide committee, however, and I'm not sure what to do and I'm looking for advice!

I don't mind working on scheduling, as my manager asked me specifically to assist on the committee, and it's not too difficult. But the managers on our units are now forming a nursing committee that specifically address issues on all of the units in our specialty (patient transfer, policy, etc.), and how we can work together to fix them. My manager is looking for members to join and seemed interested in having me on board; however, three committees is too much for me! I don't want to feel like my work life is my only life.

I feel much more invested (and interested, even) in this new committee than I do in this other hospital-wide committee. Many of the research issues discussed at in the hospital-wide committee don't pertain directly to my line of work. I also feel slightly obligated towards it because I joined it first. I think it's important to note that I wouldn't be abandoning any projects in the hospital-wide committee if I left my position in it now. I held no formal "office" so to speak, and had no projects that I was involved in. The only potential "issue" is that one of the leaders of the committee was faculty at my nursing school, and holds me in high regard. I'm a little concerned that she might be upset that I'm choosing to leave.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks, everybody .

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I THINK YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!! Srsly, staff nurses like you who willing to contribute your efforts to improving your workplace -- are absolutely golden.

The scheduling committee is basically engaged in a task, right? It doesn't involve research, investigation or development of new 'stuff'. Very necessary, but not something that provides you with any learning or development. It sounds like the new committee would not only be focused on much more stimulating topics, but also provide you with an opportunity to learn and develop new areas of expertise..... helping to prepare you to assume a leadership role. I doubt whether your ex-faculty member would be upset if you can express it to her in this way.

I do hope you are open to the idea of assuming greater responsibility and moving into leadership roles. In my organization, we would definitely categorize you as an "emerging leader" based on your involvement in unit-based governance & organizational issues.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

ask someone on your unit to take your place on the other one so you can take your place in the new one. introduce her/him at the next meeting and be sure s/he knows all the other members.

i will bet that your faculty person will know what's going on and approve, if she sees leadership potential in you, as houtx describes. don't give that another thought.

congratulations! if i were you, i'd copy and save the crusty old bat siggy, because in 20-30 years you will have seen and done it all, and you'll want to use it.

[Calabria, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much to both of you for your comments! I think I'm going to do as you say (and I knew it deep down all along, but needed reinforcement and/or constructive criticism before I went ahead). I really appreciate your kind words and your advice!