In over my head

[floyd]

Nursing is my second career. I am 44 with 6 years nurse experience but my only experience has been in a fertility clinic as a nurse manager. I recently quit that job after 5 1/2 years and immediately got offered a position as a clinical operations manager at a pulmonary clinic. It's great money but I have been there for a month and feel like I am in way over my head! There was no training at all so I have no idea how to do my job and it's a horrible feeling. I was told at week 3 that I have about a two week window to prove myself to the doctors! It's a lot of project management and I have no experience in this. I was offered another position at a nearby acute care rehab. It's less money but it is closer to home and 3 twelves (which I love). Since I went right out of school into a clinic setting I never learned the med/surge nurse skills. The acute care facility would be my chance to learn it but would I be making a mistake? Everyone I talk to says I will hate acute care and to stay in my management position. But I feel so lost!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

If you truly believe that you're 'over your head' in your current position & you're facing a sink-or-swim deadline, it may be better to voluntarily make the switch if you're in danger of an involuntary termination. Does the rehab facility offer adequate training? It will be difficult to move from 'expert' (manager) to newbie, but if you are looking for a change, it'll be worth it in the long run.