Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Nursing Management /

how did u become a nurse manager?



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,769 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.

Mar 06, 2008 10:54 PM

how did u become a nurse manager?

by rxrn

how did you become a nurse manager?
what do you think are the qualities of a good manager and what qualities should an aspiring nurse manager develop and acquire?
any courses to attend ?continuing education?
thanks a lot.


Share

Search Tags
None
Top

1 Reader Gave Kudos

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Reply
7 Comments
No. 1
from Katnip
Old Mar 28, 2008, 10:14 AM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
I became a nurse manager by opening my big mouth one day and saying it might be something I'd like to try someday.

Qualities? They need to be the same as any nurse, but you need to think a bit differently. Now, not only do I need to be a patient advocate, but advocate for staff AND the corporation as well. And you have to have to courage to discipline people and let them go when necessary. Believe me, that last part gives me nightmares.

Also, never ever, ask staff to do something you aren't willing to do yourself.
Top

2 Readers Gave Kudos
 
No. 2
from candiceena
Old Apr 17, 2008, 09:24 PM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
bump? Anyone else on how they became a nurse manager?
Top
 
No. 3
Old May 20, 2008, 08:39 PM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
I also have aspirations, but am having trouble getting my first break!! I even got my MSN a year ago, but nothing yet!!

Please advise me!!! I frequently do charge, so I can manage staff and put out fires..................my unit has 60 beds, and we usually have 13-15 nurses on each shift.
Top
 
No. 4
Old May 20, 2008, 09:53 PM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
Originally Posted by Katnip View Post
I became a nurse manager by opening my big mouth one day and saying it might be something I'd like to try someday.

Qualities? They need to be the same as any nurse, but you need to think a bit differently. Now, not only do I need to be a patient advocate, but advocate for staff AND the corporation as well. And you have to have to courage to discipline people and let them go when necessary. Believe me, that last part gives me nightmares.

Also, never ever, ask staff to do something you aren't willing to do yourself.
Top
 
No. 5
Old Jun 26, 2008, 03:48 PM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
You must ask yourself the following:
What do I bring to the table?
What is the big picture - you have to start to look past what just your area is doing.
What are the overall goals of the company. How does my area contribute to achieving these goals?
What can I do better?
You must never make it about money or title - that will follow after you have demonstrated your excellence.

You should also seek out a mentor within your organization.

Sometimes the path to success can be convoluted. Every day ask yourself, what will I do today to further my goal of being a nurse manager.
Top
 
No. 6
from Katnip
Old Jul 15, 2008, 11:23 AM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
Originally Posted by GreatnurseFL View Post
I also have aspirations, but am having trouble getting my first break!! I even got my MSN a year ago, but nothing yet!!

Please advise me!!! I frequently do charge, so I can manage staff and put out fires..................my unit has 60 beds, and we usually have 13-15 nurses on each shift.
Get some business courses under your belt. I have a BSN. All my electives for the prereqs were business oriented. I'm planning to get my MBA/MSN combo if I decide to move above unit manager.

Also, keep in mind there has to be a management position open. And there will be multiple applicants who are going after all those openings, and they could have more experience. Look at facilities other than your own. Management often has a slower turnover and the positions are harder to get because there are fewer of them.
Top
 
No. 7
from JoycMarr
Old Oct 19, 2008, 02:09 PM

Default Re: how did u become a nurse manager?
an ability to negotiate, counsel, and be a strong patient advocate. You have to have personality and charm and be able to mingle with a variety of cultures, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, levels within the organization, etc
You should also be educated and keep yourself up to date with the latest in evidence based practice, what other facilities are doing (and is working for them), trends in nursing recruitment, etc.
Basically, the list goes on and on.....
Top
 
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
100 members
1,240 guests
1,340

5

Four Lehigh Valley Health Network nurses accused of...

48

lawsuit - But don't most RN's work through breaks/lunch...

0

Patient Evaluation of Retail Clinic Care

7

The hard to reach on-call doctor, and its effects on...

12

Woman charged with passing off prescription drug as...

26

Man in "Vegetative State" was conscious for 23...

2

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

14

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

63

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

14

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts



45

Dear preceptor

1

Society Needs Care Too

13

Why am I doing this, anyway?

2

Nurse Heal Thyself

10

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

17

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

16

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

42

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

21

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

20

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

24

Error and Attitude





Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address: