Being a unit manager and juggling masters degree?

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I've recently been offered the unit manager job on the unit where I currently work. I love our unit, I know the P&P, a lot of the "kinks" have been worked out (like the Manpower per pt days since we expanded beds)....anyway, I think I can handle the position and my boss said the hours are flexible.

My question is: do any of you unit managers also go to school? Do you struggle to fulfill both roles effectively? I had planned to go PT to get my masters in the fall and then this came up. I think I may still be able to do one class but not sure about two. I got my BSN 14 years ago so I really don't know exactly how much time a masters level class requires.

Any thoughts about juggling both? Experiences to share?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I've known lots of managers who have worked full time and gone to school part time. It's not easy ... but they "managed." I guess it all depends on the particular demands of your job and the demands of the school ... how many classes you take at a time ... how many demands you have on you from family, etc.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Go for It!

I worked FT as a dept manager while completing my (traditional) MSN in 2 years. It was very do-able. My classes were 'stacked' on one day - it made for a loooong day, but much easier to do my work schedule. I also got some side benefits from the process:

- varying my work hours resulted in better relations with my direct reports who worked nites or weekends

- I was able to 'double dip' - I adapted work-related projects to meet school project needs

- I was able to tap into adademic resources to enhance work-related 'stuff' - e.g., getting faculty to volunteer as the judging panel for our staff nurse research presentations, presentations by faculty on management development topics... it was a win-win because faculty like this kind of thing for their CVs

- talked my organization into supporting a joint appointment position; the individual served a a 'special projects' coordinator for the CNE

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Thanks Hou TX, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I'm going to go for it!

Go for It!

I worked FT as a dept manager while completing my (traditional) MSN in 2 years. It was very do-able. My classes were 'stacked' on one day - it made for a loooong day, but much easier to do my work schedule. I also got some side benefits from the process:

- varying my work hours resulted in better relations with my direct reports who worked nites or weekends

- I was able to 'double dip' - I adapted work-related projects to meet school project needs

- I was able to tap into adademic resources to enhance work-related 'stuff' - e.g., getting faculty to volunteer as the judging panel for our staff nurse research presentations, presentations by faculty on management development topics... it was a win-win because faculty like this kind of thing for their CVs

- talked my organization into supporting a joint appointment position; the individual served a a 'special projects' coordinator for the CNE

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