Job Proposal

If you already have a good relationship with the Director, why don't you just make an appointment with her and ask her for advice on how to procede? Tell her about your idea and then ask her how she would want you to explore the possibilities further.

She might want you to research the topic further, do a literature review, develop a possible job description, etc. On the other hand, she may say, "I've already tried to create such a position and have been turned down by my Vice President twice." She might also say something like, "That sounds intriguing. Let me run that idea past a few people and then I'll get back to you."

I would meet with the Director and get an initial reaction from her and learn a little about the process of job creation in your institution before you invest a whole lot of time with a fancy written proposal that might not be needed.

I got my current job (which was created with me in mind) by talking with the Vice President for nursing several times, doing some special projects, and otherwise demonstrating the usefulness of having someone do the things I was interested in doing full time. Sometimes, the most convincing "argument" is to demonstrate the usefulness of something. That may be more effective than a written proposal. In your conversation with the Director, be prepared to do a little of what you are proposing to do in order to show the benefit of it.

Good luck,
llg

Throughout my career I had run into people with "non-standard" jobs and I always wondered about how they got them. Whenever I had the opportunity, I would ask them about their career paths. One of the things I learned was that it usually depends on being in the right place at the right time.

So ... when I was in a career crisis about 7.5 years ago, I started resolving the crisis by putting myself in a good environment. I accepted a job that some people would consider being a "step backward," but a job that was in a good hospital working with good people. I had recently gotten my PhD and went back to being a CNS in a role exactly like the one I had before returning to school. Some people would have thought, "All that money and 5 more years of grad school for a PhD and I am going to back to the same type of job! No way!"

But I had learned that working in a good place with good people was a good thing and I needed a job. Over the next couple of years, I did the best I could with the job and sought ways to demonstrate that I could do more for the hospital with my advanced education and experience than the typical CNS could do. I established very positive relationships with the Vice President for Nursing and other nursing leaders within the system. I volunteered for a few special projects that interested me. So ... when the opportunity arose for the VP for Nursing to create a new position or two to help her manage the nursing shortage, she thought of me and some of the special projects I had done. I had put myself in the right place and had worked hard to establish myself as a good person to have around.

Some people may call it luck ... but I believe that luck comes with being prepared. It's often a product of having done all the groundwork so that you can take full advantage of any opportunities that come along.

So ... I guess what I am saying is, that if your upcoming meeting with the Director doesn't go exactly as you hope, don't jump to the conclusion that it won't pay off in the long run. You might plant a seed in her mind that takes a little while to take root.

Good luck ... and let me know how it goes.

llg

That sounds terrific! She has recognized that you have some good ideas and that you are wanting to explore them with her in a way that is not abrasive to her. You're not trying to ram anything down her throat her criticizing the way things have been done in the past. You're just wanting to discuss some of your thoughts and looking for a way to help her with her goals in a way that would be a good fit for you.

It might take a while for the situation to evolve to the point at which you actually get a new job, but I think the reaction you got was about as good as any you could hope for.

Good luck! ... and keep me posted!
llg

I did a similar thing by writing a proposal on why the position should be created and what the job description would entail. I also outlined what I perceived to be the benefits to the facility in establishing this position. If you have any numbers that would enhance the proposal. Also, anything "evidence-based", or aligning with current nursing trends, JCAHO, State guidelines, etc. will strengthen your position. I got hired and had to create the position from the ground up but it has been fun and I have learned a lot.

I guess you just have to go with your gut on that one. Does the other job feel like it is the right job for you long-term or is it just an escape from your current job? Is the possible job at your current employer worth waiting for? ... worth taking a risk for? How likely do you think it is that it will materialize?

llg