Help with decision

[MJJFan1, BSN, RN]

Need some advice from you all. Here is my dilemma: I'm stuck with a decision on which job to take. 1. Nurse Manager, med-surg on a unit that I previously worked and was detailed to for a short while as nurse manager. I am really on the fence with this one because of the bureaucracy, and lack of support from top leadership for this unit. I am the only one who truly has the nurses best interest in mind. In my time with them, I improved many outcomes and increased their level of satisfaction. They really want me for the job but I burned out when I was there. On the other side of that, I feel that I'm all they have when it comes to someone standing up for them. I don't want them to go back to the previous misery they had before. 2. Clinical informatics. I have no experience with it but I have always been interested in it since I began working at the facility and finally a job came open. I feel there would be less stress and less burn out but I don't know that for sure. I'm also aware the grass always isn't greener. My husband says "I just want you to be happy." I don't know which would do that for me. Help!!!

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

So, do you want to continue to be a manger or do you wish to become an Staff RN/Non-Manager RN?

By the way, nurses come and go. I work on two units (My department is made up of two) and I have nurses who have worked for the Department since the stone ages... But it does not matter because over the next few years for various reasons many are leaving despite the improvements made and my department's high employment satisfaction scores.... My point being don't stay because of your feelings of "I'm all they have when it comes to someone standing up for them. I don't want them to go back to the previous misery they had before...".. because you and they are replaceable.... It is a fact of employment in a society that does not value loyalty as it once has in the past....

However, you are not replaceable to your family. So in my opinion, if you make a choice to stay, do so because your health and your happiness is connected in a positive way to that position... otherwise, look into other managerial positions or into non-management positions as you seem to be doing...... Good Luck!

[jrt4]

Do not feel guilty for leaving. Your employees happiness is not dependent on you and if it is that is a bigger problem...hopefully some of the strategies you initiated to improve staff engagement would continue when you leave. Informatics is an exciting new field for nursing. I am not sure I would want to do it but I know plenty of people who do! Good luck!