ICU nurse managers lack of support.......

nilepoc · Apr 15, 2004

Wouldn't your manager know when you apply since you are need a recommendation from your manager?

Not necessarily each school has pretty different requirements for recommendations.

2ndCareerRN · Apr 16, 2004

Perhaps the NM is a little dissapointed in hiring you in the first place.

It seems that you took this job knowing it would be very short term without letting the NM know. Perhaps she feels betrayed that you were not forthcoming prior to your employment and that is causing some of the hostility.

If I knew a person was only going to be available to work for only 4 months, I am not sure I would take them on in any position other than per-diem. With the nursing shortages the way they are, and the difficulty finding an experienced ICU nurse, I would not want to expend one of my full time positions on someone who will only be there a little longer than necessary to get a good grasp on the way that particular ICU works. Of couse, this is IMO and YMMV.

bob

melrey11 · Apr 16, 2004

bob, I am only per diem. I think ANY NM discouraging any of her nurses in pursuing higher education is unprofessional. I have NEVER met anyone who was discouraging, I think that is why I was shocked at her statement. I need to work until I start school, I was worried she would not even hire me after her statement.

I have been an ICU nurse for 7 long, hard years. I will never forget how rough it was. But that is one of the many reasons I am leaving that area of nursing.

Thanks everyone for your response. This forum is GREAT!!! It has taught me so much, and is one of the reasons I was able to get in to school. I cannot wait to be a CRNA!!!!! YEAH!!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

nec · Apr 16, 2004

Hi am also starting school in a few months, I have been in the current hosp Icu for almost three years and i could tell you first hand if i had to do it over again i would not tell anyone what my plans are, my manager is cold to begin with and all the nurse that are in her click that have been there for twenty years are the same way they look down on you and talk about you i think it is all jealousy though i have to admit it is very frustrating workking with people like that, in my you they would limit the number of open heart patients that i was allowed to take care of it is all petty and controlling but i look at it as a small kink in my long term goals, i am counting down my days until I start school and I cannot wait good luck nec

vaRN · Apr 16, 2004

My NM was the most supportive of all my coworkers. She wrote my recommendation letter and called everyone in the hospital to tell them the good news. She encourages career advancement for our unit's nurses. I think it depends on the person. Our unit is a great place to work the majority of the time because of the support we receive from her. Our previous NM was feared and horrible and kept all of her staff from receiving promotions or transfering to other locations within the hospital. Needless to say the staff turnover has decreased considerably. As for my peers, I have noticed some jealousy, while others are very supportive.

J.L.Seagal · Apr 17, 2004

The best strategy that has worked for me has been to "kill them with kindness." It's hard to be petty and jealous to someone who is kind to you.

athomas91 · Apr 17, 2004

i never had an issue either - but i made my manager aware of my plans prior to even applying - telling him that in a yr - i would be leaving....he is supportive of higher education anyway - ...but...one thing you will learn first hand in school (and very quickly in clinical) is to do your job and do it well - and let the rest fall by the wayside.

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2004

I don't understand the "don't ask, don't tell" mentality. About 6 mo. prior to graduation, I'm going to request interviews with the nurse managers to discuss my interest in higher education. Whichever hospital I find most suiting, I will do my preceptorship there during my last semester of nursing school. That will cut costs of training significantly. This seems only fair to me.

Upon graduation, I'm going to request to take all of the ACLS, PALS, hemodynamics classes, etc that the institution offers, and then be the best nurse I can until I am accepted into a NA program. If all of this works out, I will stay loyal to that hospital and come back to work with them as a CRNA.

It's about time nurses started to value higher education. If registered nurses are to achieve professional roles, advancing their education, and taking pride in doing so is the place to start.

MEDIOCRE, adj.

1: Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of excellence; indifferent; ordinary 2: Of no exceptional quality or ability.

ICURN2BCRNA · Nov 30, 2004

I am starting CRNA school in 4 months. So, in the meantime I am working as an ICU nurse. I just started at a new hospital until school starts. I did not want to tell my nurse manager that I was in a CRNA program until I "felt" her out. When she asked me my "long term goals",(not knowing I was already accepted) I mentioned becoming a CRNA....she then stated "well, I know that's the latest buzz, but I dont think that is a very promising route because of the "good ole boy network", and the lack of jobs." I was VERY irritated, but knew right away that I am just going to do my time here before I start school. Did anyone else find a lack of support from your nurse manager?? I was hoping to establish rapport with her and then come back in 2 years as a CRNA to that hospital. Is it true that upper nursing management positions are discouraging of anethesia?, in that they think you are leaving the profession of nursing.(not that I care, Im doing it anyway!!)

I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY MANAGER WHEN I HAD WORKED THERE OVER A YEAR AND TOLD HER I WAS TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER UNIT. SHE TOLD ME SHE WOULD NOT RIGHT ME A GOOD REFERENCE AND SHE'S MAD B/C A LOT OF HER NURSES ARE LEAVING THE UNIT TO GO TO ANESTHESIA SCHOOL. PERSONALLY, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE IN WHATEVER THE STAFF MEMBER WANTS TO DO. AND SHE WILL STILL BE A MANAGER WHILE HOPEFULLY I WILL BE A CRNA.

jenniek · Nov 30, 2004

My managers have been nothing but supportive. I received a great review for both schools I applied to and he has wished me nothing but well wishes. I have worked in a few different ICU's in different hospitals, and the culture here is much better than other hospitals.

I think part of the problem is jealousy of wanting to push yourself further and the person feeling "stuck" in their position. Who knows....

Jennie

mattsmom81 · Nov 30, 2004

I imagine some ICU managers and their staff tire of putting energy time and $$ into new nurses who blatantly use them and their critical care unit as a steppingstone.

I've had many come into my ICU as new grads, all full of themselves, immediately announcing "I'm only here for the minimum time to get into anesthesia school'. Gee, why are they be surprised when they aren't enthusiastically received??? Its like they want immediate respect just because of this grand announcement. Please.We gotta walk before we can run...why not respect ICU...ya might like it and stay. I did.

My advice to all young nurses: do your best wherever you are...get good at ICU, OR, ER or wherever..... and earn some respect before announcing grandly to your mentors and teachers you are only using them as a pitstop.

I have nothing but respect for my experienced, competent colleagues who go on to CCRN , NP, or MD school. BUT there are a lot of loudmouth new grads out there who are trying to get into ICU any way they can , use it as a ' brainsuck ', and then 'on up the ladder' . These types are generally perceived as obnoxious; nor do they get much in the way of info or energy from their preceptors. I understand why.

Its not a jealousy or 'young eating' thing...its a respect thing.

rn29306 · Dec 1, 2004

There are two sides to every story. The reason I can say this in earnest is that I was one who went the the unit after BSN and then to CRNA school 3 years after. I was turned onto anesthesia even in high school and every decision from there on was geared towards anesthesia. In my interview for the unit in Atlanta, my manager poised the money question "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" I was not personally going to bring up my goals for after the unit during the interview, but she brought it up, not me. Without hesitation I stated something along the lines of "in crna school" or "already out". I believe that being firm on your goals, not being a braggart, and doing your best not only shows determination, but drive in succeeding. So many times managers find themselves nurses who just work the minimum hours required per week and who's only goal is to make it to shift change so he/she can go home. What is refreshing to see is a young, eager individual striving to make him/herself better. I never bragged about where I was going or what I wanted to do, but if someone honestly asked, then they got an honest response about my intentions. I also noticed my best friend and I (Carolina SRNA who is also in attendance for anesthesia) were the only ones spending our own money (after maxing out the company continuing education a local university for chemistry and physics) for additional education. How many nurses do you see reading medical based surgical and anesthesia texts? (and no one voice in that you never sit down, there are slow points no matter what the shift). He was honest as I was in the interview.

I provided a link that discussed this in further detail about whether or not a new applicant to ICU / CCU should tell his or her manager about their plans. I am not saying this to brag, but I honestly think this can be a win/win situation. The manager gets someone who knows they have A LOT to learn and will get a very productive nurse with a little assistance at first. Sometimes it is better to raise your own than try to change already established bad habits. Our organization sank around $20K into individual new grads and required a 2 year contract just so that the new grad wouldn't take the money and run, thus shafting the company in the process.

There are morons in every category of human existance and nurses are no differece. I'm sure that all it takes is one person to spoil things for everyone, but people who go into nursing for CRNA school have no reason to be shunned. I throughly enjoyed my 3 years of nursing, learned alot and have good stories to tell (as all of you do) but my dream is to deliver anesthesia. The opportunity is there for everyone.

http://www.allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80918

add this poor excuse of 0.2 cents to my federal and secondary out-of-state loan amount

rn29306