Job Satisfaction for Nurses begins with the Nurse Manager

[ainz]

Nurse managers are the front-line management. The way the nurse manager conducts themselves and how they communicate goes a looooong way to establish whether nurses are satisfied with their jobs or not. Sure there are many many things outside of the nurse manager's control but they are in position to influence how this information is perceived and understood by their staff.

In my 18 years of nursing there are 2 jobs that stand out as being the best for me. The nurse managers on those two different units made all of the difference in the world. The administrations were very similar in their usual communication and management style, it was the nurse managers that made it a great place to work.

Conversely, the worst places I have ever worked had the worst nurse managers I have ever worked for. They were power hungry, dominating, and created an extremely oppressive environment, they didn't need any help from the "evil administrators."

Much of the time job satisfaction starts and ends with the unit nurse manager.

[fergus51]

Can I just say AMEN!!!!!! I have the same experience (bad manager, bad workplace, good manager, good workplace).

[NurseBoricua]

Ainz, I have to say, you have read my mind. At my current job I am experiencing this. You took the words right out of my mouth. I have worked for an SICU that although I left after 7 months had management that was supportive and understood the complex issues of their work and high turn over rate due to extremely high acuity and people using the unit as a stepping stone for CRNA school. In contrast, the stepdown floor nurse mananger is pretty close to your description. She is power hungry, creates an intimidating environment and is fearful to reprimand those who create a negative environment for others with their lack of professionalism and work ethic. I do agree that managers are pressured to take certain actions. However if the overall feeling is fear out of being "called into the principal's office" how is staff to perform under that extreme? I admit I have only been a nurse for a short while. Fortunately, I keep my head low and do my job, but sometimes even that isn't enough. Would love to hear more on this.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I agree with this 200%.

I have a great nurse manager and that is one of the reasons i LOVE my job!

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Did we need two of these threads?

[oramar]

"There are no bad units, no bad soldiers, there are only bad officers." Col. Hackworth, US army retired, lecturer an author of many books about military