Interviewing for manager position but have issues...

[jlcole45]

Recently I applied for a nurse manager position and now have a interview scheduled. I currently work

as a house supervisor one weekends, and I have over 20 years acute care experience. I had my own reasons for applying for this position (mostly financial - husband recently lost job and I needed to make more money).

Another dilemma is that I am in school for my MSN, but I am in the FNP program not the administrative track.

I would guess that they will ask about it and I'm not sure how to answer it.

You are probably wondering why I am in the FNP program? A couple of years ago when I started the process of returning to school for my MSN I considered all the options - and at that time I felt the FNP was the best fit for me. I like interacting with

patients and I thought the FNP would be pretty flexible. But how do I explain that during the interview?

How bad do I want this position? It's hard to say because I don't know a lot about the position yet. I am going to go on the

interview and check it out. Has anyone else ended up in management positions sort of accidentally? If so how did you do or are doing? Do you like your work? Is it worth it?

[aura_of_laura]

I ended up the nursing supervisor (kind of an assistant to the DON) for a 35-bed acute ped psych unit about two years ago. The supervisor whom I replaced was relocated to another facility, and administration thought I had the leadership skills to do the job. I've never wanted to be in administration, but I thought, hey, pay raise!

In my experience, any job you can learn to do well will further your skill set and look good on a resume. I only stuck with it for a year before taking over our infection control department, but there were a lot of intangible things I learned as a supervisor - mostly that I hate being responsible for a bunch of twenty-somethings who had no understanding that a job involves working and showing up even when you're scheduled to work on Friday nights.

Unless you're close to being done with the FNP program, it can't hurt to try for this position. Money can be an awfully good incentive. Good luck!

[sundayj]

I would say that the reason for FNP program is that you want to assist your staff in every possible way including sorting through some difficult clinical issues. Hope, everything will work out. And I would also pray.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

I was a weekend house supervisor for a large nursing home. Learned that I'm not so good at telling people to do stuff, would rather just do my own work and go home. The title and mostly imagined power sort of went to my head initially, I think, although I felt like my own head was always on the chopping block, too, with my higher-up's. Not that stuff went wrong or that I was in trouble - it's just that some bosses are sooooo negative and they read bad into everything. I hated having to call the Admin on call for some of the stuff we had to call for. Stuff that could have kept, if you ask me. But they wanted to be kept totally abreast of all happenings. I disliked dealing with Admin and Management at all, really. That's just me.

I thought I might have a chance to make sure that residents got the best possible care. But mostly I had to do staffing. I did not like the feeling that others were afraid of me or ill at ease when I made rounds or helped with orders, dressings, or toileting. I'd relieve nurses for their meal breaks, so they were glad to see me then.

Perhaps Management is a lot different from keeping a facility afloat for one shift at a time. I'd say check it out. you might really enjoy it. Good luck with the FNP, too. You might want to not mention that you're in school. On the other hand, it could work to your advantage, as they will know you are up on your physical assessment skills and know good orders from bad ones.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I would probably say that when you began the NP track, it seemed like the best career path option available to you. But now you are not so sure ... and want to explore this management opportunity.

[jlcole45]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

To my surprise, I actually like being the house supervisor at my present hospital, but was investigating other opportunities for previously stated reasons. In my present position I do not hesitate to help the nurses, housekeepers or CNAs if they need a hand. I also do the more unpleasant things like talk to difficult family members, deal with the grouchy docs, etc ... for that they trust me and respect me. Now I am sure there is one or two who doesn't like working with me but I overall have been successful and comfortable in this position. And I've reached a stage in my life and career that I am comfortable in my own skin. Does that make sense? In other words, I've reached a stage where I don't care if others don't like me. I try to be pleasant to everyone I meet - unless given a reason not to be. And the care of the patients comes first and foremost, and as a result I am well regarded at work - even though I am part of the 'management.'

I'm not sure I want to stay in management the rest of my career though talking to some of the FNPs they definitely do a fair amount of managing in their work - in a different way but managing nonetheless. So it would perhaps be good experience. So we'll see what comes out of the interview this Thursday. If anyone else has anymore suggestions please do post them.