How do you move on to a leadership position

[sourapril]

I just started my nursing career a little over 6 months ago, so I am just thinking ahead. I never had any leadership experience in nursing before besides being a team lead for a flu clinic briefly. My organization doesn't have a clinical ladder. So how do you build up your leadership skills and eventually get into management and supervisor positions? Do you just put in a number of years in your job and then apply to a management position?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Management is NOT simply being a nurse with longevity. Sufficient experience as a staff nurse that you've really, unquestionably got your clinical chops is a starting point.

Management involves big-picture thinking, understanding of budgeting and healthcare finance, process improvement, project management both within a department and across departments and disciplines, and personal qualities that make one a leader.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

DON'T DO IT!!!

Signed,

Former member of middle management

But if you are gonna...start precepting, get certified, get your BSN and MSN degrees, then apply for those managment jobs and remember...you asked for it.

[mhy12784]

Either of you have any advice specifically?

For example I work for a small magnet hospital, have my MBA and am getting my MSN, and ONLY have OR experience

How tough of a time will I have getting into management ? (oh and im a male too, which nurses always tell me helps although i have NO idea if its true or not)

Once I have my MSN ill have like 2-3 years OR experience and my or cert. Will they be all over me for management ? Or will the fact that i ONLY have OR kinda pigeonhole me

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

Either of you have any advice specifically?

Not really. I go by the Peter Principle for management, which could be either good news or bad news for you.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Not really. I go by the Peter Principle for management, which could be either good news or bad news for you.

This principle definitely applies, in my experience, in healthcare management.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Get involved with you Clinical Practice Council, get on a research project. Find ways to do constructive things to get you off the floor. I work weekends so I try to find projects to help with. It gives you a new perspective on how things "happen" in the facility. Preceptig and charge nurse classes, climbing clinical ladder. These are things that you can do to help.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

i dont know, time in grade, doing best jobs i could......but the opportunities did seen to just fall at my feet after abour 3-5yrs.....

but lordy the headaches

[klone, MSN, RN]

Volunteer for committees. Volunteer to precept students and new nurses. Are charge nurses in your department a permanent role or are nurses rotated into it? If the latter, show reliability and responsibility and once you have some more experience under your belt, show willingness to be in the charge nurse role as much as possible. That looks great on a resume for that first entry level management position. And once you get your foot in the door for that entry level management position, it's just a matter of time and experience before you can move on to bigger things. Of course, get your MSN in leadership if management is ultimately your goal.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

@mmc51264I liked your idea and in a similiar situation on how I can enhance my leadership skills. Right now I'm taking prerequisites and will be applying to a nursing program hopefully next year. This summer I'm looking for a research project and had no luck till I received an email from a professor at ucla to volunteer to do a mental health project. Its more toward public health and in hopes I get the opportunity. I've been looking for a research project or a way to help media outreach to raise funds for an organization with little luck. Hopefully everything will work out.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Some of these have already been mentioned:

You already have your BSN, which is great, as that is increasingly a requirement for leadership, especially in Magnet organizations.

Charge nurse

Preceptor

Volunteer for committees and QI projects

Make sure your manager knows you'd like to eventually move up in the organization

[sourapril]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I work in public health, not hospital. I have precepted students, volunteered on committees, and if anyone asks "who wants to do this?" I am always the first one to raise my hand. I am not really good at talking with people in management positions. I feel more at ease talking to my peers or support staff.