Calling All Nurse Managers/Clinical Directors

Wow!

I'm very impressed just reading the last couple pages of this thread! An interim CNO position is very impressive and it sounds like you may well be on your way to becoming the permanent CNO.

I can see that my situation relates to this thread well.....where to begin.....

My background is ER mostly. I have accepted a Med-surg management position in a rural hospital (28 bed unit). At this point, I have been there for about 2 months. Of course, I have not been there long enough to form an opinion in regards to liking the position or disliking it. Even after recently completing a master's degree(MBA), this is an overwhelming experience.

My biggest challenge is staffing and then scheduling. Constantly, it is in a state of change to drive anyone to pulling their hair out and I only have 27 FTE's.

I'm not even sure that I have completed most of the things I have in my own orientation packet - let alone going over all of the staff's. That is what this week-end is for - figuring out what there is still left for me to do to become familiar with.

I think my biggest challenge in the near future is to make sure that my floor is up to snuff - especially when state board makes their rounds this fall. I will be reading over all of the regs here starting this weekend along with completing CEU's required in Ohio, and coming up with a core schedule for staff (they use to do it from scratch every 6 weeks) - self scheduling - that didn't seem to work out well...

Okay, well - enough of my "rant" sort of speak. I'm not really complaining, just trying to figure things out.

If there is anyone willing to mentor a new manager online - I would definitely be interested.

Hi Patrick, good to see a post for that most maligned of nurses - the boss!
I have been a manager for about 7 years and this year, after much acting executive experience, made the move to Nurse Director. What I have noticed is that most junior staff don't seem to realise that I have a boss too. Senior staff are subject to very stringent controls, not least being the budget - not that I worry too much about that actually. If I have to go over budget now and again to maintain safety, so be it ( I work in Mental Health these days - used to work in general, then managed both in prisons, now gravitated to specialise in MH).I find that I am attracted to jobs where there needs to be a lot of change. I really enjoy improving clinical standards and making a difference for my patients. I guess change management is my forte, although it has taken me many years to realise it. I am very passionate about nursing and I think sometimes I must look manic I get so excited describing plans to improve care. The passion never leaves. But I must - out to collect a daughter ... like a manager, a mother's work is never done!

sisterkate.

I received notification of this thread in my in box and I didn't read the first installment, however, perhaps I can get a bit of advice from some of you.

I am a DON in a 300 bed mental health/addiction facility in Saudi Arabia. How I got here is another story but I was offered ADON in 1995 and in 1996 promoted to DON. I am an adult NP-C and currently working on a masters in health care administration.

Unlike all of you who are managers, I did not move up through the nursing management chain. I left general nursing in 1981 for NP school and had only worked as an RN for 3 years. After that it was NP ER then primary care practice till overseas work. I spent 2 years in Bangladesh doing relief work then Saudi.

Frank, I really like the leadership role. All of my staff are from the Middle East or Asia and most, except for 4 Filipinos are something akin to an LPN but most hardly make that grade. So, my challenge has been and continues to be developing the underdeveloped in a system that is trying to raise the standard but in bits and pieces. After getting over comparing america to the middle east and learning about my own arrogance, I have come to learn that success must sometimes be measured in millimeters and even a gain of millimeter is a gain and must be celebrated.

I have learned a great deal about leadership and listening with both ears, making decisions in measured fashion and try very hard not to let anger take over. I have had to back-pedal more than once and swallow my pride ( a very healthy thing to do) in order to correct my mistakes. One of the things I believe I have been very successful at is not changing my beliefs on certain issues pertaining to care and practice, especially in a system that integrity and ethics is not well understood nor considered very important. The sad part is this is antithetical to Islam and most staff are Muslims. Again, another story.

Now, I'm planning to return to the States. I have a wealth of experience spanning 30 plus years but I'm not sure exactly how I will fit in once back, but I believe that sound leadership is universal and caring for people crosses are political, religious and social boundries so I feel confident I will make it. Can I get into nursing management? Hmmm, good question..maybe some of you can offer your advice

Cheers