Being a unit manager and juggling masters degree?

Specialties Management

Published

I've recently been offered the unit manager job on the unit where I currently work. I love our unit, I know the P&P, a lot of the "kinks" have been worked out (like the Manpower per pt days since we expanded beds)....anyway, I think I can handle the position and my boss said the hours are flexible.

My question is: do any of you unit managers also go to school? Do you struggle to fulfill both roles effectively? I had planned to go PT to get my masters in the fall and then this came up. I think I may still be able to do one class but not sure about two. I got my BSN 14 years ago so I really don't know exactly how much time a masters level class requires.

Any thoughts about juggling both? Experiences to share?

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I've known lots of managers who have worked full time and gone to school part time. It's not easy ... but they "managed." I guess it all depends on the particular demands of your job and the demands of the school ... how many classes you take at a time ... how many demands you have on you from family, etc.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Go for It!

I worked FT as a dept manager while completing my (traditional) MSN in 2 years. It was very do-able. My classes were 'stacked' on one day - it made for a loooong day, but much easier to do my work schedule. I also got some side benefits from the process:

- varying my work hours resulted in better relations with my direct reports who worked nites or weekends

- I was able to 'double dip' - I adapted work-related projects to meet school project needs

- I was able to tap into adademic resources to enhance work-related 'stuff' - e.g., getting faculty to volunteer as the judging panel for our staff nurse research presentations, presentations by faculty on management development topics... it was a win-win because faculty like this kind of thing for their CVs

- talked my organization into supporting a joint appointment position; the individual served a a 'special projects' coordinator for the CNE

Thanks Hou TX, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I'm going to go for it!

Go for It!

I worked FT as a dept manager while completing my (traditional) MSN in 2 years. It was very do-able. My classes were 'stacked' on one day - it made for a loooong day, but much easier to do my work schedule. I also got some side benefits from the process:

- varying my work hours resulted in better relations with my direct reports who worked nites or weekends

- I was able to 'double dip' - I adapted work-related projects to meet school project needs

- I was able to tap into adademic resources to enhance work-related 'stuff' - e.g., getting faculty to volunteer as the judging panel for our staff nurse research presentations, presentations by faculty on management development topics... it was a win-win because faculty like this kind of thing for their CVs

- talked my organization into supporting a joint appointment position; the individual served a a 'special projects' coordinator for the CNE

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