Job Offer, but need advice! Manager has bad rep.

[Justlikehaldolpropofolversed, BSN, RN]

I am a new grad (that alone should make me jump at the job) but when I was interviewed the nurse manager was really concerned about how long I planned on being on her floor and what not. Most of the nurses on the floor had been there for years, only two were there for only a year. The most was 6 years.

My friend in nursing school who knows I got offered a job at this hospital on a certain type of unit. She called me saying how (the actual nurse manager's name) cannot hold down her staff and to be weary of being hired there. I didnt admit to knowing the nurse manager's name though and told her I wasnt sure if it was the same manager (but it is).

She was pretty intimidating in the interview and everyone seemed to kiss her butt.

I am just worried about being fired from my first job, so I was wondering if maybe I could still keep my options open.

During the panel interview with nurses, I asked do they have any advice? and they said to not believe the horror stories.

So maybe my friend does not really know what she is talking about?

What leads to new nurses being fired? How do I impress everyone once I start?

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Hi Calinewgrad:

I am a recently hired new grad, just off orientation, but have quite a bit of working experience from my first non-nursing career.

Right of the bat, what your friend said doesn't seem to jibe with reality. If the manager couldn't retain her staff, how would she have so many long-timers on the unit. That just doesn't add up. Or do they mean she has fired a lot of newbies?

In general, I would take your friends words with a big grain of salt. First of all, what is the source? Maybe a disgruntled former employee? But people who have been there for up to 6 years probably have a different opinion. Secondly, one person's experience is always different from another. The fact that someone did not get along with your future manager does not mean you will not.

Now, your own gut I think is important. You thought she was intimidating. Do you think you will be able to work with that person? Will you be comfortable asking her a question or going to her for advice if needed? In my job, I, frankly, don't even interact with my unit manager that much, except for scheduling questions. I interact with my colleagues, my educator and my assistant manager much more regularly.

And lastly, it seems like you assume that because she is "intimidating" she will be more demanding and more likely to let you go if she thinks you are not up to par? I think that when a manager hires a new person, they are the ones most interested in that person succeeding, because they are going through the expense and effort of hiring and training them. And they, as managers, are likely evaluated on how well they hire, train and retain employees. So there is no incentive for them to be unfairly tough as long as you are doing your part. And everyone understands that, as a new grad, you will not be walking on water. They just expect you to be safe, diligent and willing to learn and grow.

Good luck!

[Justlikehaldolpropofolversed, BSN, RN]

True, but honestly she was intimidating in the sense she was asking questions to me that I wasn't expected in a new graduate interview. I was really nervous that day and some of the questions (even basic), I could not answer, but she helped me think them through though. I think what saved me was even though I couldnt come up with an answer right away, I voiced by thought process and she lead me to the right direction.

I left the unit excited to start there, the staff were really friendly and seemed to all get along. But its hard to gage the reality when I was only there for the interview time.

And its true what you say, people mesh differently but I can see myself fitting in there pretty good.

[caliotter3]

I have found that I should listen to what others have to say about the job, but I still need to make my decisions based upon my own assessment of matters with a strong sense of how badly I need a job. It would be a different story if you had two other job offers and at least one of them had far superior aspects to the offer. Then, I would say to pass this manager by. Otherwise, consider everything before you make your decision. Good luck.

[Justlikehaldolpropofolversed, BSN, RN]

Yea, but I think it would be worse to start a new job in which I would get fired from and have that permenatly on my record rather than just waiting months or a year for a job that wouldnt make me look so bad.

Also, my post also suggested that I am still willing to work there and asked for advice on how to the best new grad so I wouldnt get fired.

[seconddegreebsn]

I work in a floor like this - the people who have been there a while are, frankly, just putting in their time and don't want to have to relearn a new job and have told me as much. The comfort of knowing the chaos instead of having some new, unknown chaos, is comforting to them. She has come after them and fired several of them but the union got them their jobs back. The newer hires usually last under two years - which is when she'll allow people to transfer (yeah, she blocks that - nice, huh?). I personally don't like her management style and plan to leave soon as well. I'd definitely listen to your gut - if you feel like something is off, it probably is.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

What makes you think you will get fired? So your manager asked some tough questions in the interview - there is nothing wrong with that. It is her job to challenge people in a positive way. And it seems like she challenged you in a positive way since she helped you through the thought process and gave you an offer at the end:)

Plus you loved the team.

I don't see an issue here. Maybe that's just me.

[lorichka6]

You could always ask to shadow for a day and get a better feel for the atmosphere on the unit. Pay close attention to the talk in the break room :)

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Be very careful. Have you applied elsewhere?

Just because a unit has long-term staff does not mean the manager is good or even tolerable; they may have learned to cope in various ways, including brown nosing.

It is very easy to get fired as a new grad (or in nursing in general; much is subjective, the work load so heavy that they can find a reason if they want to.) They may not fire you, but force you to resign or claim you failed your orientation. Most likely, it would not be your fault... but might just be devastating to you anyway.

But everyone is different, you may have no problems at all with this manager - perhaps she'll just like you (and not others). Is it a chance you are willing to take? Only you can answer this. Good managers don't normally have a bad reputation.

Best of luck to you, please keep us posted.

[klone, MSN, RN]

True, but honestly she was intimidating in the sense she was asking questions to me that I wasn't expected in a new graduate interview. I was really nervous that day and some of the questions (even basic), I could not answer, but she helped me think them through though. I think what saved me was even though I couldnt come up with an answer right away, I voiced by thought process and she lead me to the right direction..

She actually sounds like a great leader. She asked you tough questions, then helped guide you through to the answer.

Hmmm...a nurse manager who challenges her staff and gives them the tools to succeed. Sounds awful!

[BiotoBSNtoFNP]

I dont think you are in a position to turn a new grad job down? There will never be a perfect new grad job. Passing up on this one does not guarantee that the next offer will have a better manager.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Whether or not this manager's bad reputation is fact, you need to change your mindset.

No one should start their career with anticipation of being fired. That anxiety will set you up for failure.

Guiding you through difficult interview questions is the sign of a very good manager.

What type of unit is it?