I am a staff nurse about to embark on my first role as a nurse manager (within the same ward). I would like to hear from any nurse managers on their own experiences on making this transition. What problems/issues did you encounter with your new role, how did you deal with them? How did you relate to your colleagues after your promotion?
I'm also considering a diploma in management. Have you found that a management course of this type helped you make the transition to management? In what way?
I just took a position as a nurse manager in a facility that had not had a nurse manager for about a year. Needless to say there were alot of problems. I have an employee that has been "reshuffled" instead of removed from his position because he's seen as a bully. I have that to deal with along with the everyday issues of staffing, budget and maintaining an atmosphere where patients and their families receive the best care possible. It seems overwhelming and at times it is. All in all I am happy. I have learned that I need to pace myself so that I am not doing five 12 hour shifts a week. My family are very concerned with my hours and being on salary isn't really benefiting me. This is a huge responsibility that requires unconditional committment and that's harder at times. I look forward to the weekends so that I can truly rest. My charge nurses are excellent. They really handle themselves and the staff well. I make sure that I let them know how much I appreciate them and I make sure I stand behind the decisions that they make as long as it is in the best interest of the patient. I haven't had any orientation into this position and I am looking forward to taking some leadership courses that can assist me in this transition. I know that management is where I want to be; I just need to find some balance.
Any ideas?
Try searching the net for leadership courses and speak with HR about any trainings they might offer. In the meantime look at these:
I am a staff nurse about to embark on my first role as a nurse manager (within the same ward). I would like to hear from any nurse managers on their own experiences on making this transition. What problems/issues did you encounter with your new role, how did you deal with them? How did you relate to your colleagues after your promotion?
All responses greatly appreciated,
Shearan.
Just be prepared to juggle alot of different things at once, and hopefully you are the type of person that enjoys a challenge. In management you will never be bored, that's for sure! I think you are at a certain disadvantage being promoted on the same unit you worked on. That is a series of challenges on it's own. I was lucky that I was promoted to an entirely different unit where nobody knew me and I had no friends or connections. Makes the transition easier for sure.
I made this transition almost two years ago, and moved to a new state for this promotion. That has been the difficult part, since there was no one to talk to and get advice from. Does anyone know of a mentoring program for new nurses in management? Someone to bounce ideas of off and get advice for situations that come up? I think that would be key to a success for anyone who receives a promotion (as we know, there is no training or orientation for this job).
NurseRatchett
34 Posts
Try searching the net for leadership courses and speak with HR about any trainings they might offer. In the meantime look at these:
http://www.leadershipiq.com
http://www.amanet.org
http://www.wordwidelearn.com