head nurse interview

[renerian]

I wanted to see what you all thought of this. I have had three interviews already for this position. I have two more interviews on Tuesday with another 30 people. Then I have another one with the docs. I think interviewing with almost 50 people by the time I am done is excessive. Has anyone ever seen a person have to jump hoops like that?????

renerian

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Renerian, definately seems like you are being taken advantage of. You need to seriously reconsider this job. Sounds like you are going to be both a staff nurse and a manager. Probably one of those jobs where whenever there's a hole they can't fill you'll be getting a phone call anytime "renerian....you're working the floor today", while still being expected to do all the management things.

To ask you to work nights as a staff nurse, to still orient to manager, to still attend meetings, which are obviously going to be during the day, etc. is very unreasonable.

I do think a few days, or a week or so on the floor is an excellent idea though.

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

I would not agree to this. I am currently working in a management position in industry; I worked here first as a staff nurse, although I'm an NP (long story). When I started in management, I went salaried, and my hours immediately increased dramatically. I don't have time to get everything done as it is, and I'm not expected to cover for the staff nurses, though I have voluntarily done it on a few occasions. I'm not saying that a head nurse should not occasionally work a shift or help out, but that's not your primary role there. It sounds as if they expect you to learn the management job, do the managment job, and work as a staff nurse. I don't think that's at all reasonable, and I don't think that's what you agreed to when you accepted the job. I just would not do it.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Thanks 3rdshiftguy and santhony. I was shocked. I am glad she could not see my face as it is was not pretty LOL. I called her back because I think it is unreasonable as well.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me. I appreciate it.

renerian

[Audreyfay]

You don't need that job badly enough to be put through the wringer. I had a job like that once. I lasted 6 months, long enough to get the moving expenses and hiring bonus, and then I left for greener pastures. I was always in a losing position. Nightmares! If you aren't getting what you want, there's another pasture just around the corner. Good luck renerian!

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Thanks Audreyfay..........is that you in the picture? What type of position did you have?

renerian

[Audreyfay]

It was an Assistant Nurse Manager position on afternoon shift on a Med/Surg unit. A very bad experience. So bad that I totally left Nursing Administration at that point...never to return to management. : ) I'm a diabetes educator now.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Yes the position was open a long time. Good for you on the diabetic educator role.

Thanks for your replys everyone.

renerian

[Noney]

I've never worked management, but this doesn't sound good to me.

Noney

[mattsmom81]

Sorry, I just saw your thread Renerian.

In all those interviews was there no mention that this would be an expectation for you? Sounds to me like you will be expected to wear many hats and make lots and lots of people happy....

IME, too often good people ARE taken advantage of in these middle management roles...24/7 accountability...plug and play wherever the senior manager wants to place 'em, switching gears at their whim. I don't like that so I don't go there anymore.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. You read like a good person and a nurse I would like to work with. Follow your heart with this. If it doesn't feel right don't ignore that. Best wishes to you always.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Thanks for posting. I love nursing and I love helping people. I am still awaiting a call from the HR person and the unit manager director to tell them I cannot work night shift and be there during the day. I know my body and I would be sick in no time.

renerian

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Thanks Noney. Does not sound good to me either and I have worked in middle management off and on for years.

renerian

[jemb]

Sounds like the old bait and switch to me. How would they know otherwise that they would need you on nights

for a full six months to fill a staffing gap that just recently occurred ?

Sorry, Renerian. It must be very disappointing after all you went through to get hired.

Send them a bill for your time. (Don't you wish you could!)