Do you, as a unit manager, have to come in to cover shifts?

I've been in my NM job for almost a year and have worked on the floor twice so far. I'm their last resort, but they know they can call me anytime. NM's also take one weekend a month of Admin call and can be called by any of the cluster units if need be for staffing. I've never had to work staff on other units, though I get calls on Admin or staffing questions once or twice per weekend. Hope that helps.

That's good to know. Since March, it has been about 3 times so I guess that isn't too bad, though it's more than what was told me on interview. Just want to make sure this was pretty standard for UM's...Thanks1

As a NM of almost five years, I've never been called in to work the floor because I am not considered a direct care giver. 24/7 responsibility means much more than meeting staffing requirements. I'm called to problem solve staffing issues and have gone in to help until assistance is found but that is by MY choice not because I'm mandated to do so.

My staff knows I would come in in a heartbeat if all other means of staffing the unit fails. I'm on the unit when it is busy doing whatever it is that needs to be done, D/Cing, admitting, medicating etc.

The first and very last thing I do daily is to recheck the schedule to insure we have the staff we need. Of course there is nothing that can be done r/t unexpected sick calls other than to hope we get a float or use O/T. I treat the staffs schedule as if it were my own, so when I need something, I make deals with them which benefits both the unit and themselves.

CNM's have 24/7 accountability to manage their unit and staffing so it is ulitilmately their responsibility to work if they have not been able to secure other staff. It happens at times.