Is this a bait and switch?

Dear Discouraged,

Many of us who have been in management never had much training. Our industry is notorious for promoting bright bedside clinicians and not teaching them the skill sets needed for their new role.

You come to the role with a lot of clinical credibility and maturity, but there is much to learn. You will need to learn about full-time equivalents (FTEs), productivity metrics, and scheduling others. You need to be very well versed in the facility's policies because you will be troubleshooting and guiding others. Just as an example, you need to know what constitutes a coroner's case in your state, because you must report it, and you will need to have a firm grasp of overtime laws. You may be responsible for seeing that employees clock out for lunch before the six hour mark, or whatever the time frame is in your state.

This is not to discourage you. It's pretty common to learn on the job, but it's important that you have someone who is available to you. I would definitely ask what training will be provided, and who is your immediate supervisor.

You don't have to accept the job if you have reservations. The fact that you were offered a job at one rate and they didn't stand by that offer is disturbing. It's not your problem that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing in their own organization. Once an offer is made, it is professional to stick to it. For me that's a red flag. 

You could counter with "I'm sorry, I was comfortable with the original offer but now that it's been rescinded and lowered, it no longer meets my needs. " They may backtrack and increase the offer if they really want you.

You could simply turn down the job. Or you can accept it as offered but don't be surprised if administration tells you something one day, you act on it, and they contradict it the next- it could happen.

Best wishes on your decision,

Nurse Beth