First Management Interview...help!

Specialties Management

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Specializes in Med-Surge, Tele, PCU, CVICU, NSICU.

Okay, small background...been a nurse 5.5 years. 3 years experience med/surg 2.5 experience ICU. Charge nurse experience in both. Have my BSN, finishing my MSN within the next couple of months.

Okay...so I applied for a Nursing Supervisor position at one of our sister hospitals. Hadn't heard anything in over a month so I called to inquire if the position was even open, spoke with the current manager and he suggested I apply for the Manager position instead of the Supervisor position. I would much rather go straight to management but honestly would accept an offer for either for the experience. End goal (someday way in the future) is CNO.

Any tips? Tricks?

I've done research on the facility: their mission, values, how many beds, who their CNO is, HCHAPS scores, etc... I've talked with the current manager who is leaving. I know a few people who know the Director above him and they've given me tips on her personality. I've also researched salary ranges for my area for managers with 5.5 years experience.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

OP: Your goal to go the House Supervisor route prior to landing your assistant nurse manager postion is not a bad goal. House Superviros are managers/leaders, but they do not have direct reports. In fact, I know former House Sups that made that step prior to his/her first nurse management positon with direct reports. I also know assistant nurse managers that moonlight as House Sups. :)

As for your pay, you will be treated (probably) as a new House Supervisor. House Supervisor is not the same as Charge Nurse so unless I misread your post, you really cannot say you have 5.5 years of experience. Yes, you have been a nurse that long, but not a House Sup.

For example, the duties and responsibilities of a House Sup includes knowing and understanding the flow of the entire hospital on your shift. That means you need to understand and have experience in knowing the needs of every unit, communicating with every unit, transferring patients and accepting transfers from outside facilities, move patients from the ED to the floors, etc...

Positives: You know people on the inside and you did your homework/research. Thus, you are likely to land this job! Talk to the director prior to an interview and do not worry too much of the pay unless it is so insanely low that you cannot pay your bills. The reason being, becoming a House Supervisor is a great step toward your future goal of CNO. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Med-Surge, Tele, PCU, CVICU, NSICU.

I'm sorry....here in Texas Nursing supervisor is like assistant nurse manager or permanent charge nurse. Sorry I didn't make that clear

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
I'm sorry....here in Texas Nursing supervisor is like assistant nurse manager or permanent charge nurse. Sorry I didn't make that clear

Ahh... that makes a difference!! On the other hand, do you have direct reports as a charge nurse? Assistant Nurse Managers in general have direct reports. So, you may end up being treated like a newbie nurse manager even with the charge experience if your new position requires you to supervise direct reports and your former positions did not. In that case, you can probably negotiate a salary commiserate with your years of experience as a charge nurse in your area (it cannot hurt to try). Good luck on the job interview. :)

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Specializes in Med-Surge, Tele, PCU, CVICU, NSICU.

As charge nurse on the unit, depending on staffing, I am in charge of 1-2 patient care techs, 1 secretary, and 11-18 nurses on days I am charge :)

Thanks so much!!

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Has anyone been through a Nurse Manager interview and if so can you please share what was asked of you by the CNO and the physicians?

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