Difficulty adjusting to charge RN role...need advice

[xokelly2]

Hi friends!

I have been a floor nurse for the past three years on a telemetry unit and have been doing charge nurse for the past 5 months one night a week.

I really do enjoy doing it and believe that I am capable but I am have an issue adjusting. When I wasn't charge I prided myself on always having a positive attitude and going with the flow....and long story short I felt like I was received better by my peers. Now as charge nurse I feel like all I ever am is the bearer of bad news (Admits, needing to work a mandatory overtime, bugets) I do try my hardest to do whats right for the floor nurses and the unit at the same time. Granted I'm not perfect and my decisions sometimes reflect my novice status, but I always have a significant rationale backing up my decisions. The accusations (not outwardly but insinuated) of playing favorites, purposefully making bad assignments, etc... gets me pretty down.

Any advice on how to adjust to a "management" like role where you there's no avoiding being the bad guy? I love the challenge and experiences as charge but as petty as it sounds, I guess I'm really having a hard time not having my co-workers like me as much as they use to. I'm really nervous for when peer eval. time comes around.

My fiance says it's just a learning curve that I will outgrow but it gets me down everytime.

Thanks so much for any words of wisdom!

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

As long as you are fair in distributing new admits, etc...and fair in all other matters then you shouldn't worry about how your co-workers act towards you. You will never be able to please everyone. The rest will see that you are fair and will accept you as a charge nurse.

I have also found that if you are relaxed with them it goes a long way towards helping the shift run smoother.

A few times I've had disagreements with staff but handled it a very calm and civil manner and there were not any lasting issues.

[mom4josh]

I don't know if you take patients when you're in charge, but if you don't, it usually helps a lot if you offer your assistance to staff, including UAs. When they realize that you are trying to be helpful, they usually chill out somewhat. Also, it can be hard when someone who was your peer is now "giving orders" so to speak. They may try to question your authority, question your judgement, make you feel guilty for something you have no control over, and just bring you down in general.

But, as was already said, there are some that will never be satisfied no matter how hard you try. You either have to develop thicker skin or get your feelings hurt... I know that's not easy because I can be very sensitive too and often get upset when I think someone is mad at me. Just try to not take it personally, be fair, help out where you can, and let the chips fall where they may.

Best to you in your new role!

:ancong!:

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I've only been nursing for about six months, and I work with a charge nurse who's been charge for maybe about four months. I worked on my floor as a CNA for a year prior.

At first, it was easy to second guess the new charge nurse. Things were rough, and he made some pretty serious errors in judgment. But over time, he has proved himself and I have a great deal of respect for him. How has he proved himself? By being willing to make tough decisions and stand by them, and not take any flak from anyone about it (including me!!!). Also, by advocating for his staff by being willing to go to bat with staffing to make sure we have enough nurses on the floor when staffing wants to cut nurses.

If you have a level head on your shoulders, a solid rationale for your decisions, and a willingness to advocate for your staff even if it brings difficulty to you personally, then you will earn the respect of your fellow nurses. Just give it some time. Just like with working the floor, you will make some errors in judgment, but if you're smart, you'll take them as learning opportunities instead of beating yourself up.

Congrats on your new role!

[fultzymom]

Just be fair about the work load that you assign. You will never be able to make everyone happy. You are not there to be their friend. There are going to be times when you are not very popular. But in the end if you are fair to everyone, willing to pitch in when you are able and needed, and listen to your employees, I think you will be ok. Also, let them know that you will go to bat for them when needed. Good luck and congratulations on the new job.

[CHATSDALE]

the things that you figure are 'bad news' are now YOUR JOB be fair, distribute the patients, help out when needed/and possible, you will gett the hang of it but there will be always flack but your higgh-ups believe that you have the capabilities to handle this

[rita359]

As a supervisor you have a lot more information on the overall staffing, nursing ratio, and accuity levels of the patients than staff nurses do. Staff only see how an admission etc affects them and usually don't like having their routine or plans interfered with. However, if there is an empty bed have to figure it is going to be filled. Its just the nature of the beast we call nursing. The decisions you have to make are the nature of the beast we call management. There is a different set of expectations all have to adjust to. This is an adjustment you have just begun. Only you can decide whether that adjustment is something you want to do.