Will I have a strong enough personality?

Specialties Management

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I have been an RN for almost a decade. I have worked in critical care, emergency care, procedural nursing. I want to eventually do non-clinical work and I assume I will need management experience to qualify for non-clinical jobs. My worry is that I will never have the personality to be an assistant manager much less a manager. I have been a charge nurse for years but I wonder if I am less organized/assertive than other charge nurses. I worry that I too much of a push-over. I worry I will never get hired as an asst manager. I am going back to school for my BSN now. Will the leadership classes help toughen me up? Do the BSN classed actually help people become managers (supposedly the main difference between an ADN and a BSN is the leadership classes, right? lol). Any advice is welcome

The BSN classes include more theory and research as well as leadership and ethics classes. I don't think any class with "toughen you up" although I would highly recommend "Crucial Conversations" training. I dp think practice makes perfect. You need to practice now. Do you have the ability to delegate to CNA's? I would definitely work on your organization skills if that's an issue. I would sit down with your unit manager and talk about your goals. What does she see as your strengths and the areas you need to improve? Tell her your ten year goals and see if she can help propel you forward. Succession planning is a hot topic now with leaders and many nurses absolutely do NOT want to be in management...the fact that you are interested is a good sign.

Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

I do not see the Leadership classes at the BSN level helping that much. It is a misnomer that the difference between ADN and BSN is leadership classes. Actually the difference between the two is more core courses, Community health and advanced assessment to name a few. Yes, the BSN will have group seminar but it is not to discuss leadership it is more to discuss cases.

That said that fact that you are concerned about what type of manager you will be speaks to the fact that you plan and more than likely will be a good one. Being able to delegate is part of the job yes, but the biggest part of the job is being an excellent communicator. Many crisis can be averted, misunderstandings avoided and expectations aligned through good communication skills. I would recommend a class around this topic.

I also agree with Stephva not everyone wants to be or can do mngt. This job is not for the feint of heart. It is a great deal of work and requires a lot of you investment in yourself and others. This is not a job that someone goes into if they do not want to "serve." Management after all is about 'serving' your staff, patients, administrators etc. Be ready for that.

Specializes in oncology.

I agree with the previous comments and would only add that being a manager is much more about being fair and honest, than about being tough. Do what is right, work hard, engage your staff in decision making and you will succeed. If you can't figure out what is right...then make the kindest choice!

I think my biggest strength would be that I am fair. I definitely am able to delegate, because my current role as charge nurse is solely delegating and giving assignments. However, overall the nurses in my current department value a manager that is tough, stands up to the doctors, and 'has balls'(as I have heard another nurse say).

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

If you want to become a leader in healthcare, I highly recommend reading the book "Hardwiring Excellence"

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