scared to take management position

[maxter]

Hi I'm new posting here! I have just been offered a management position in a rural area. The position is a nurse manager of acute care ( 2 hospitals within 10 minutes of one another). Our health region is going through terrible amalgamations and unrest at the moment and there is a lot of insecurity and instability among staff members. I have limited management experience and would be taking over the position from the current nurse manager (who also interviewed for the this redefined position). I applied for the position at the urging of one of the senior managers but never really thought I would get the position!! I was told that my interview was very impressive and my references were wonderful ( I am currently employed as a staff nurse/casual nurse supervisor at one of the facilities). I was told to think about the job offer over the weekend and let senior management know on Monday. I am questioning what I have gotten myself into and questioning my confidence....i would like to become a nurse manager but am not sure if the environment or timing is right at the moment. I also have a young family and am unsure how the long hours will affect all of us!! Just wondering if anyone else has been in this same position and is it always this intimidating to make the "next step' into management

[baseline]

The next step is wicked. And requires flexibility and humor. Middle management sucks quite frankly, but a good one can make all the difference in the world to the staff. Oh.... so much to say and not enough time ! Ill try to get back to you ! But if you really want the position, set your limits in regards to your family with senior managemnet NOW. If they are not agreeable, its not the rite time for you.

[ACNORN]

Maxter,

I remember having the same anxiety you have expressed. I went from being a bedside nurse to a clinical coordinator of a small 10 bed unit, to a nurse manager of 2 units in the same hospital. Then I moved many states away and took a chief nurse position for an 80 bed hospital. With each promotion, I remember having terrible dreams of my staff absolutely tearing me apart at our first staff meeting and had many fears about whether I knew enough to be responsible for all the policies and deciding what the standard of care should be, meeting the JCAHO standards, dealing with personnel problems, etc.

You may be taking a position in a system that is a political minefield, but don't let you self talk limit your potential. Obviously one person in senior management sees the potential in you. If that person is successful in the organization, latch on to them and learn from their years of experience. If you trust that person, they can usually help you navigate through the politics and teach you the unwritten rules in the organization (and believe me, every place has many unwritten rules).

If you do take it, I recommend assessing who in the organization is viewed as successful, who receives support from administration and the corporation, who gets things done, who comes back with a "YES" answer. Who has great people skills. Then associate with those people. Make some friends outside of nursing too (I have always made it a point to befriend the top HR person, plant operations too). Lastly, remember you are never alone in a healthcare facility. If you get into a situation where you don't know what to do, ask others who do know.

Before I started a new promotion, I always felt terrified inside so I would go out and buy a few new really professional looking outfits so my appearance would portray confidence even though I was anything but on the inside. What was the name of that movie starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver? Working Girl?

As far as your family is concerned, that's a personal decision.

I say go for it. If it doesn't work out, it will teach you many things and if you have had many successful positions already, one risk is not going to derail your whole career. Thats just my 2 cents.

[Gardengal]

Maxter,

My questions before pursuing this position are....what would be the position of the previous nurse manager who also applied for this position...and what is the feeling of the staff for that manager. It sounds like upper administration is behind you and that is in your favor, but the other manager could cause you some discomfort as well.

You obviously have a good reputation and have earned the respect of others, so you will go far regardless of what your decision. It sounds like you will have the support you need to develop in your role. Like ACNORN and you I have had those feelings of doubt, but i prefer to call them excited trepidation. go for the new position if your family is behind you on this, and you are clear on the flexibility of hours and the time expectation needed for thisjob.

Good Luck.

[mageean]

In my experience The higher you progress in management the more is expected from you. PLEASE!!!! get your work/life balance correct from the start. good luck.