Should I take on a manager's position??? Help!

AndyLyn · Feb 21, 2009

Well, do you see yourself giving up the patient contact to work with problem solving and nurses? Some people are just meant to be managers, and giving up the patient contact doesn't bother them.

It is a red flag, though, that 2 managers have quit the job in 2 months, that would worry me. Is there anyway you could trial the job? And if it wasn't for you, go back to the staff position?

netglow, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

Hey, go in there and say, this is how its gonna be if I'm to take the job.

Think about what you would change... what you would like in your staff. What you want to create in a working atomosphere for your staff that knows their sh**, and are higher level professionals - these are the team players/teachers. And, how you will raise the level for (shape up or your out - point blank) the lazy witchy-****** staff who call patients PIA's too often, argue in front of patients/staff/family, and who are deathly afraid to look at the extraordinary intelligence of a smart new (maybe even pretty) grad staring them in the face (who needs a little time).

And if they say, but wait... we aren't necessarily for that... you say... well then, never mind!

GO FOR IT, BUT RUN IT BABY!! :anpom:

lsyorke, RN · Feb 21, 2009

maybe it's because I've only been at this hospital for two months, and I've seen two managers leave. They left for different reasons. The first one just didn't want to do his job, and the second one, well I don't know why.....

HUGE red flag!!!!!!!!!!!

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

I've been a manager at three different companies in a different industry. I did a good job, but I didn't really enjoy it as much as the hands on work. So now that I'm in nursing, I will never take a managerial position. I raised my kids, I don't need to take care of other people's kids who got older but never grew up. You might like it though so good luck in whatever you decide to do.

BradleyRN · Feb 21, 2009

The main concern i would have is whether or not the mgmt position is salary. That would be a problem. If you do switch, try to keep an hourly wage. Otherwise, the hours get longer, and the checks get shorter and shorter.

They may try to say that you will receive bonuses based on your floor's performance regarding x and y and z. Just ask how many times the floor you will take has met those bonus criteria and you may realize they will be very hard to attain. You may not mind working for salary, but if you do the math, you may find a floor nurse can make more on a shift and leave the problems behind, for you! Good luck!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2009

The main concern i would have is whether or not the mgmt position is salary. That would be a problem. If you do switch, try to keep an hourly wage. Otherwise, the hours get longer, and the checks get shorter and shorter.
They may try to say that you will receive bonuses based on your floor's performance regarding x and y and z. Just ask how many times the floor you will take has met those bonus criteria and you may realize they will be very hard to attain. You may not mind working for salary, but if you do the math, you may find a floor nurse can make more on a shift and leave the problems behind, for you! Good luck!

I think you are right, money might be my main issue. Right now I am making around 80k/year with some overtime. If I take the manager position, I am afraid there won't be much more money than that, and I will be working a lot more. Until I can get a better crew of nurses that I can trust, I would be worried about the place while I'm at home!!

The poster that said to take it on a trial position sounds good too. Even with the ICU experience that I have I wouldn't have a hard time getting a staff position somewhere else if this manager thing falls through.

Even with all the reservations that I have, I still can't stop thinking about how this is a very good opportunity for me. I think I will just sit down and write down what I would do to change everything to make it better, and what I would need to get it....

Thanks to everyone, this is helping me to think this through. :)

zahryia, LPN · Feb 21, 2009

I have nothing to offer. Good luck with your decision!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I have nothing to offer. Good luck with your decision!

Umm., Okay, thanks, I think.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Feb 22, 2009

The warning sign is that two others already left. I am an LPN, so, take it for what it is worth, but I probably would not accept it. It is one thing to be a mentor and guide to other nurses and gain more experience. But, from what I see, most managers are not effective because of the crapola they encounter. In fact, most are frustrated in my end of the woods.

RNgonewild · Feb 22, 2009

I was offered a management position a short time ago also. Two managers had been fired right around Christmas. But when I looked into it I found out I would be making quite a bit less than I'm making now. They didnt even offer me a pay increase and losing the overtime would be devastating. Not even counting the free hours I would have been giving them due to being salaried. I turned it down. Cheapskates!