Career Advice, please?

[Farawyn]

A friend who wishes to remain anonymous asked me to post this as a favor:

"I currently work as the primary charge nurse on a unit I love. Love my coworkers, love my job, for the most part. I'm just finishing up my MSN in leadership, and would like to go as far up in nursing leadership/administration as I am able to. My manager knows this, and has been grooming me for her job. She has me doing things that most charge nurses are not responsible for, such as helping out with performance reviews and disciplinary stuff, as well as budgetary stuff. I think she plans to retire in a year or two, but no earlier than a year from now. I have been told that I am a rising star” at my facility, I have the attention of pretty influential people in administration for the work I have done and the committees I have been on. There is tremendous room for growth within this organization, but possibly not for another year or two. And right now, even with the additional duties I've been given, I'm incredibly bored in my current role, and am antsy for some new challenges. I am an impatient person.

I potentially have a job opportunity at a different facility. The job is for the equivalent position as my current manager, but with a lot more FTEs and quite a few human resources challenges (which I consider a plus to the job – I love that sort of challenge and my current job, everyone gets along too darn well). Basically, they need a really good manager who can bring everyone together as a cohesive team, which is what I've been trained to do and want to do. And it's a fairly prestigious” unit and would look fabulous on a resume.

The facility is part of a very large national for-profit hospital network. It gets mixed reviews with regards to how it is as an employer. However, they own several hospitals in my community, so my opportunities for advancement are pretty good. My current employer, I think is a quality place, I've met the CEO personally a few times because he makes it a point of being accessible to frontline staff. It's non-profit, with a huge emphasis on taking care of disenfranchised people.

Do I take the sure thing” really good promotion opportunity with a for-profit with which I'm unfamiliar, or do I put my wager on the potential for advancement with the current facility that I know is a good place to work?"

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Your friend does not have the time or wherewithal to join AN and post this question for herself?

An MSN prepared nurse.. needs to speak for herself. Then, I would be happy to share the insights gained in 33 years .

[Farawyn]

My friend is a member but concerned about anonymity or lack thereof with this topic.

[Libby1987]

Well I'm quite a bit about loyalty to those whe have treated me right.

And there's a strong chance that your friend (hello friend ) is over estimating her experience to manage and turn around a challenging environment.

[Farawyn]

Okay, now I'm NOT drinking wine and will actually respond to what I posted.

You had me at I love my co-workers and they value you. It sounds as if they have your back. As someone who recently left a crappy job, I still miss my co-workers every single day. To the point where I am thinking going back there per diem over the summer- to a crappy job!

Maybe I am at a different place in my career. To me, the loyalty, the co workers and being valued trumps all.

Go do something interesting/challenge during your off time, or start a new committee or even team building stuff in your current job.

Libby, thank you for responding. I know this is unorthodox, but there are tons of nurses here, and sometimes you are posting in the same thread with actual co-workers.

I like the poster who asked me to do this, so it's no problem for me, obviously.

[canigraduate]

Interesting concept. I thought you were talking to the voices in your head for a minute, Farawyn. LOL!!

That is a hard question to answer, though, Friend of Farawyn. I think it really depends on your values and which organization lines up with them the best, if this is going to be a long-term career choice.

You already know your current place is good to work for, so there is a big safety factor there for you. However, if you really are that bored, you may start some drama unintentionally because you need something to do.

I, personally, would go with the challenge, because I like to learn and grow. Safe is great, but safety is often stagnant. Also, as many are aware, I am a job hopper anyway, and would go after the money. Just leave on good terms with your current place so you can come back if they become a more attractive option.

[crazin01]

tough place to be in...

FRIEND, you say your current manager plans to retire in 1-2 years (or at least you THINK; is that something that is more set in stone, or definitely coming?) ....but what if she (current manager) loves it that much and decides not to retire in said timeframe? So, you take the job at 2nd place, and then you don't like it, too much, or company not as employee-friendly etc...

however, if your current manager decides she does want more free time to relax, family etc and wants to go before, or even within the timeframe you mentioned. It sounds like you're most definitely ready to fill her shoes (and is this a SET IN STONE THING??? Like, they aren't going to post position externally and possibly overlook you?) It does sound as though the "higher up's" of your current company really like you already (education, loyalty, taking on more work than your current position requires in anticipation of moving up).

Devil's advocate here....I don't know your co-workers, that they love you and vice versa, heaven forbid you stay, are promoted, are they suddenly going to change their perception of you? (as in, "she thinks she is better than us now?!?!") Will you be able to be the management figure over your current colleagues/FRIENDS? Will they still love you the same? If that is a potential issue, do you value them as friends more than co-workers?

And, post states "a potential position" at second facility. Do you have an interview or a definite offer available?

Sorry, I haven't answered what I would do, it's hard to know unless you're in the position and until all possible questions/uncertainties are addressed. Also, I don't think you stated, but is the potential position local? Would not require moving/significantly longer commute? how does any significant partner/children/family members feel about either possibility?

Again sorry to ask so many questions, but I would definitely need solid, set in stone answers to consider either option.

Good luck!!!

[Farawyn]

tough place to be in...

FRIEND, you say your current manager plans to retire in 1-2 years (or at least you THINK; is that something that is more set in stone, or definitely coming?) ....but what if she (current manager) loves it that much and decides not to retire in said timeframe? So, you take the job at 2nd place, and then you don't like it, too much, or company not as employee-friendly etc...

however, if your current manager decides she does want more free time to relax, family etc and wants to go before, or even within the timeframe you mentioned. It sounds like you're most definitely ready to fill her shoes (and is this a SET IN STONE THING??? Like, they aren't going to post position externally and possibly overlook you?) It does sound as though the "higher up's" of your current company really like you already (education, loyalty, taking on more work than your current position requires in anticipation of moving up).

Devil's advocate here....I don't know your co-workers, that they love you and vice versa, heaven forbid you stay, are promoted, are they suddenly going to change their perception of you? (as in, "she thinks she is better than us now?!?!") Will you be able to be the management figure over your current colleagues/FRIENDS? Will they still love you the same? If that is a potential issue, do you value them as friends more than co-workers?

And, post states "a potential position" at second facility. Do you have an interview or a definite offer available?

Sorry, I haven't answered what I would do, it's hard to know unless you're in the position and until all possible questions/uncertainties are addressed. Also, I don't think you stated, but is the potential position local? Would not require moving/significantly longer commute? how does any significant partner/children/family members feel about either possibility?

Again sorry to ask so many questions, but I would definitely need solid, set in stone answers to consider either option.

Good luck!!!

Your Devil's Advocate paragraph actually happened to me.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I have a great deal of loyalty to those who have been loyal to my career. A huge rarity. And in this day and age, has my jaded button going off big time.

There is a possibility that, as a pp pointed out, the coworker as friends analogy will end once your friend becomes higher in the food chain.

Bottom line is, however, that no matter how esteemed a nurse, no matter how much attention, influential, and looks good on resume...no matter what the thought process is on what one thinks their reputation is, your friend is being groomed for a business. And once groomed, the expectation may be that the cohesive team, the wonderful co-workers, the culture on the unit....that may all change in the name of almighty dollars, and little sense. In my experience, if thing are not broke is exactly when upper management wants to "fix" it. And they use the middle managers to do so. And one of the first things that is asked is "how do we save money" and is your friend willing to start cutting staff that type of thing. It is all fun and games until one actually gets the job. Then the "rising star" may fall down pretty quickly.

And the new shiny job--I understand the love of a challenge. But again, as a middle manager, will your friend have the power to change one thing? It is easy to say, but hard to do. Nurses can be frustrated over staffing ratios. Senior management says "too bad, so sad" and then your friend is left holding the bag. If your friend wants to start hard core on the culture of the unit, culling out those who make it a less than stellar place to work, that's easier said than done. So one would go in already near drowning.

I don't mean to sound snarky, however, sounds to me like your friend has had a couple of cups of koolaid. Before the whole pitcher is consumed, I would be very, very clear on what he/she would have the ability to actually put in motion as far as the new opportunity, and be very eyes-open as to what the future holds in the current climate. Climates change. And they change quickly when a freshly groomed and puffed up nurse is put into a management role.

[Red Kryptonite]

The job is for the equivalent position as my current manager, but with a lot more FTEs and quite a few human resources challenges (which I consider a plus to the job – I love that sort of challenge and my current job, everyone gets along too darn well).

This stood out to me. Jumped out, actually. Gee, what a curse to be stuck in a peaceful, mutually respectful workplace. The "challenges" you're talking about taking on are the kind that end up with people drinking out of Mylanta bottles like hip flasks. You may think it's a challenge you want, but most of those type of problems come from intractable personality problems that can't be solved by managers. A workplace that doesn't churn off your stomach lining is not to be underestimated as a life-enhancer.

[Jules A, MSN]

I tend to prefer a bird in my hand than one up my bush, lol, but this is a tough one. The hopeful promises that someone may or may not get promoted when someone may or may not retire would make me nervous. If in fact things didn't work out and I didn't get the bosses management position when she retired I would have to resign because I'd be too pissed off to be of any use to anybody, but thats just me.

Why can't they find you a suitable admin position on another unit in that organization when you graduate and then have to transfer back to your current unit when the manager retires? I'm not one to want to sit around and spin my wheels especially when there is no sure thing involved. On the other hand working with a great team is invaluable to me however I have to say I have been fortunate to have worked at several facilities where I felt my team was stellar, of course I'm probably biased because psych peeps are generally pretty awesome.

I'd probably try my hand at the new job but keep my pulse on the old place so that if or when your supervisor retires I'd be first in line for that interview. Good luck.

[Farawyn]

From Anonymous Friend:

"I thank everyone...for their feedback, which gave me a lot of good food for thought. Still not sure what I will do if offered the job, but I'm leaning towards staying with my current place where I have always been treated well and I know there will be room for advancement in the future."