Facing a management position...

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, PACU, Med-Surg.

Recently I have been asked to take over as manager for our small, but busy, med-surg floor when our current manager retires. This is a great opportunity and I am thrilled at the new challenge. One of my big reservations, however, is the prospect of supervising people who are currently my peers. I already do that to a certain degree, as I am one of the charge nurses. I think I may be blowing this out of proportion a bit, but I would love to hear from others who have faced similar challenges.

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I had a manager who started working at the hospital AFTER I did, and fairly soon became a unit manager over that floor- it was great. She was professional, maintained her sense of humor, was fair , didn't play favorites, and had no problems w/people respecting her and the position she was in.... I recently found her on FB, and both of us were really happy to be in contact again :)

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Your charge nurse skills should be the perfect segue into a management position. You already know how to set boundaries, to be fair, and to multi-task when you are slammed. You already know how to delegate and you can run the floor.

As long as the current manager does her job in teaching you the nuts and bolts of the job itself, the rest should feel quite natural to you.

Good luck, and congrats!

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looks like these two covered it nicely!

congratulations

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Specializes in Oncology, LTC.

I was put in this situation...my manager was leaving and wanted me to step in as interim manager until the hospital found a replacement. I knew that I didn't want the postion permanantly though, as I only had 2 years of nursing experience. I had the position for 3 months ( I actually wanted the position after 2 months, but decided against it). The most challenging part of it was what you stated in your post- the previous week I was working alongside these nurses who were now coming to me with issues that they had with each other. They were treating me like a different person at first, which I didn't want! My team respected me when I was a staff RN, so I knew that they would respect me as their leader.

But like the other posters said, just be fair, don't play favorites. Don't try to be everyone's friend though either. You will learn a wealth of information regarding management and leadership skills. Be honored that you were chosen for this position, and good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, PACU, Med-Surg.

Thank you so much for the replies. I appreciate the input, and I'm looking forward to the new challenges!

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Specializes in ICU.

My ex nurse manager had this problem. She was friendly with all the staff, we all went out, got drunk, danced until the wee hours as friends..... then she became our manager after one got hired and immediately quit. She was assistant manager before, but was pretty much on our level as in working bedside and really just doing scheduling and being charge nurse when she worked.

Well, when she became our manager, she continued to party with us. She was really, really good friends with some. So when she tried to gain some respect.... she had a hard time. Some friends took advantage when she put rules forth or tried to do the schedule.

I think it can be done, but you may have to stop the outside of work stuff if you do any. Transition it off, so they don't start thinking your position "went to your head"

Good luck and congrats!

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry, PACU, Med-Surg.

I may already be ahead of the game there as I don't socialize with anyone at work. I am friendly with everyone, closer to some more than others, but I don't see anyone on a social basis.

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I'm with Mom 100% (Moms are always right!! LOL). ...and since you're not doing extra curricular activities with them now, that won't be a problem.

Maintain professionalism, don't gossip, be friendly but set boundaries and rules. If someone is jealous of you, they may be mean or difficult to work with - but remember that's all it is...jealousy. Just brush it off & remember that you were asked to take the position, so someone saw the fact that you're an excellent nurse and definitely manager-material.

Congratulations!!

Amanda Tillema

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