Standing up for "Management"

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 1, 2005

I've been reading posts here for quite a while and it seems that "management" frequently gets a bad rap. I've been management for a while now...am ADNS at a 142 bed facility, and I do everything I can to support my staff and advocate for them, but it does get tiring to have to repeat the same things to them over and over...and to do their work if they slack off....vent vent vent

Our management at the hospital stands up for us and is wonderfully supportive. The problem I have with the nursing management is that they are too leanitent because they're afraid of being sued. I give Management Kudos, I wouldn't want to be in management. I don't particularly like being a charge nurse, it's only that it's a nice switch once in a while from patient care and vica versa. This Thursday I'm doing patient care and looking forward to the change.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2005

Yes it does seem like management has been getting a bad rap here. I used to be management, but since having kids and working part time..Im back at staff nurse. Although I loved being in charge and in the power to make changes...it is nice just to be a staff nurse...no head aches, calls in the middle of the night, staff disputes etc. It ies a very tough job and management or should I say good management/ leadership does deserve praise....Its a tough job!

mattsmom81 · Feb 2, 2005

I wish there were more 'good' leaders and nurse managers out there. We all know when we are working with one, (I've been fortunate to work with a few)but most of us have more experience with the...er... less talented leaders.

Why is it so often the 'wrong' nurses are attracted into management...the ones who want power and control, who enjoy looking down on others? I believe this is the type the upper level facility management seeks and grooms... in order to control nurses. These types make it difficult for the good hearted nurse leaders (who actually care about their staff as well as the patients and facility) to succeed if they try to move into more of leadership role.

This idea that nurse managers are no longer nurses but 'managers' is why they get a bad rap and deservedly so IMHO. Why did they want to be nurses at all I ask??? if they turn their backs on their good staff members in favor of politics, I have little respect for these 'nurses'.

Sorry to sound so harsh but this is where a lot of the negativity about management originates IMHO.

donmomofnine · Feb 2, 2005

What I get frustrated with is the "why aren't you out here at the bedside" attitude. I cannot be at the bedside and do my job too! I certainly don't mind helping and I am on the unit a lot to see what is going on, but I need to spend time in meetings and in my office to get my work done. I have done a med pass when necessary, but then my work doesn't get done and, believe me, I have enough. I still care deeply about the residents, care deeply about my staff and I see my job as a way to make things better for all!:)

sassynurse78 · Feb 3, 2005

I am sorry to say, but sometimes bad managers deserve a bad rep, and there seems to be a lot of them out there. I am glad that you choose to support your staff. I believe that factor alone is what makes a great manager.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Feb 3, 2005

Congrats to you if you support your staff. I really think, in many ways, nursing management is largely affected by the ethic of the higher management. Nursing management doesn't exist in a vacuum. If you have a health care system that lives and breathes a corporate mentality, quite often nursing management can become insensitive to the actual needs of the nursing crew. Seen it happen. I do agree in some ways that the switch from "head nurses" to "nurse managers" disempowered nursing's voice. Why?...depending on the management's milieu, the nurse manager may actually be or at least seen more as the big brother/sister of the the higher management and less akin to the nursing staff itself. I wonder if there could be any correlation with that and the push for more nurse unions across the country? Maybe, there isn't any correlation. And if there is, maybe it is insignificant. But, it is a thought.

donmomofnine · Feb 3, 2005

That's why I will never work for a for-profit corporation again!

jschut, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2005

In the new facility I work for, I haven't had any trouble with the management except when a nurse called in at 6:15p (I was supposed to be relieved at 6p after a 12 hour shift)and no-one would come in to relieve. Someone finally showed up at 9p, but I was pretty darn tired by then!

And the next weekend, she did it again! Only she gave me some leeway and called in to quit at 5:30p. I was there again till 9p....

Some RN, huh?

I just thought if no one else was coming, don't DON's or ADON's HAVE to come in?

kaseysmom, LPN · Feb 3, 2005

I think the problem with management a lot of times is that there isn't enough resources to institute a lot of the "regulations" that need to be instituted. For instance, when someone does something wrong - I think that management often thinks "if we fire this person - we'll be even more short handed"...just a though, I haven't been many places where management was terrible =)

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2005

I have my management team who are all non medics and support no one but the all mighty dollar, then I have my DON who is her own administration department, so when I speak of management I mean those money grubbing non medics that bark orders at the nursing staff not knowing what the heck they are talking about or what they are doing to their nurses! If I talk about nursing managment I say DON...and although she is very tough skinned, I can usually (not 100%) trust her to be on my side of issues and concerns (okay about 98% over the past two years so pretty good!).

I have also been in managment, and it is not easy...want to be supportive yet don't want everyone thinking you are their best friend, or walking all over you. Hard balance sometimes or even somedays. You get to be the 'bad guy' at times (many times) and have to 'put the smack down' against certain people you really don't want to but have to! I don't envy the position, and in my facility..oh heck anyone but me can have it..LOL! I wouldn't pick that position to save my life at my facility..no way no how!

With a horrid facility management team to have to deal with (not the nursing dept!)...it can't be very autonomous or satisfying...my poor DON is regarded very poorly by staff and she really is a great person who wants to help but has to go through so many hoops it isn't funny just to get one thing done! She does it and it takes all her spirit and energy..but she doesn't give up! Strong lady to be highly respected for sure...I do!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 6, 2005

I have my management team who are all non medics and support no one but the all mighty dollar, then I have my DON who is her own administration department, so when I speak of management I mean those money grubbing non medics that bark orders at the nursing staff not knowing what the heck they are talking about or what they are doing to their nurses!

I agree... I see "management" in two sepaprate categories.

Our DON/Clinical Mgr. who is exceedingly supportive and helpful ..and the corporate "administration" who are non healthcare types and whose only concern is "cost containment".

Unfortunately, our supportive DON/CM is also powerless as she has to bow to their demands and pass the nonsense on down to us.