Hit brickwall

To all my fellow collegues i need some advice please.

I work in melbourne australia, and i have been the associate unit manager of the medical ward for 5 years, 18 months ago the Director of Nursing persuaded me to move over to the surgical ward to further my career. i then became the associate unit manager of the surgical ward (for all my international collegues this means I'm the charge sister for my shift)

Anyway we had several staff off on sick leave and maternity leave and the Unit manager on long service leave and i was asked to fill this position, this was a big challenge as it is a 35 bed very busy surgical ward at the end of my fill in position i was told i had done a wonderful job and everyone was happy including staff and doctors, i was told i had a calming effect on everyone especially when it was out of control. The current unit manager would be retiring in June 2009 and would i consider taking her position.

This was a big opportunity as well as a challenge i think i would be capable of doing, having had several meetings with the director of nursing she suggested for me to go ahead and try this position, I said i would like to know what was fully involved eg: what reports i had to write, rosters any other things that needed to be done in my time. The D.O.N said she would speak with the current unit manager and get her to train me to take over after several attempts this was not successful due to the current unit manager not wanting to hand over her role (even though retirement had been planned) and would not show me anything.

It has now come time for applications to be submitted for this role and asked if i would apply, my response was i do not think Mary wants me to do it because she won't allow me to know what is involved.

Last night i was told the position had been filled by a girl who is 18 months out of her grad year and has not had any experience of running the ward and had full support of the current unit manager.

I'm devestated, very upset and angry and i'm now told i need to go to work and be calm, and give this girl my full support and help her in the role as she gains experience please tell me how can i do this, my 8 years of experience meant nothing, i do not even think i can face her.

So many of the staff last night were crying with me and many came to give me a hug and say they were sorry, should i stay or should i go.

Bubbles:cry: