First Job as a Nurse manager

[joohwangee]

Just got my license in March and after long time of searching for jobs, i was offered as a nurse manager position at a nursing&rehab center.

I wanted to get a job at a hospital and get some exp during my first year, but it seems there aren't many positions aval. around here. Should I accept this job?

I mean, I've been searching and searching for 2 months now, and many are looking for experienced RNs.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

2 months is not a long time...It took me 8 months to secure and start my new grad job at a hospital.

Yes, most positions are looking for experienced RNs, although many will make exceptions.

There are other non-hospital positions that will give you a depth of experience without being a manager-acute rehab hospitals, post-acute facilities, corrections, psych, specialty offices, etc. Have you tried those types of settings?

[Stella_Blue]

I had to work in LTC for about 9 months before I finally got a job at a hospital. As much as I hate to admit it, I learned tons of great info. I learned how to manage my time and emotions so to speak. Certain situations I am in at the hospital now would have had me bawling before. Now I just let it roll off my shoulders and do only what I can do and get it done. I am also pretty darn good at my medication knowledge

[NotYourMamasRN]

One of the SNF/LTC facilities I worked at lost 4 of their 5 managers in a one month period. They resigned or quit because the new DON that came is was, to say the least, the worst nurse and leader in the history of the world. They had always hired people with little experience in management because there was not much selection for beggers to be choosers. So the facility hired 2 new grads to fill 2 of the 4 management holes. One quite after 2 months and the other was a precipitating factor in a sentinel event. I HIGHLY recommend you investigate this position before taking it, especially as a new grad. I had a background in management in my first career, but nursing management is a different beast. Not to mention you worked hard for your license, don't risk it for unsafe corporate business tactics.

[rpsychnurse]

I don't know if nurse manager means something different where you are located but here a nurse manager takes on significant responsibility. Usually years of experience is required- I'd be very wary of being offered a management position as a new grad. You don't have the experience to perform as a manager yet, in my opinion. I would urge you to look for something else- management isn't something you should go into lightly and it doesn't sound like it's something you really want anyways.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Is it a true manager position or is it an 'RN Supervisor' position? I ask because one of the larger LTC/Rehab corporations out there use the title 'RN Supervisor' for all the bedside RNs, they are not managers in the true sense-- the title is largely one simply because you're considered 'charge' over the LVNs and CNAs during your shift. In all fairness, you really work along side the LVNs, not 'over' them.. but this company does this so that if only one RN is in the building (say NOC shift).. they can say they have 24 hour RN supervision.

[NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN]

Please do not take that job! If they are hiring someone fresh out of school to be in charge of experienced nurses, something is VERY WRONG! You are being thrown into a dangerous situation!