Maybe you all can help me think of questions....

Published

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It has been suggested to me by several people that I work with that I should apply for a Nurse Manager position that has come available. I hadn't considered it because I have only been a nurse for 2 years. I am really involved on our unit with committees, relief charge, precepting etc. They believe that because of those things and the fact that I am about to begin my MSN in August that I could do this job. My question for you is what kinds of questions should I be prepared for in this type of interview? I realize the nurse manager for a unit is responsible for many different things so it is hard to figure out how to prepare myself.. Any advice would be helpful:o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

The position requires intense multi-tasking abilities, extraordinary organization, the power to help people get along, the power and confidence to discipline with care, time time time, wayyy past your normal hours. TONS of paperwork, dealing with families, complaints from below and above you. You have to be able to smooth over every problem and go to millions of meetings, then pass along the info and implement the ideas. Scheduling nightmares, disgruntled employees. making appointments, calling doctors, Oh the list goes on.

They may ask how you will handle any of the above. Like what will you do with short staffing complaints? How will you calm an angry family member? How will you discipline an aide who did something wrong? Best of luck to you....I just left that job. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

The obvious challenge questions revolve around why you feel you are well-suited to this position. If you are in fact a mom to 4, be prepared to use your child-rearing and relational experiences to describe how you would manage. It may also not be a bad thing relating the nursing unit to a family unit, with some "kumbaya" thrown in the mix.;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Very good Rob! Yes I am really a Mom to 4 aging 14, 10, & 8 yr old twins:D Many Kumbaya moments lol:lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.
Very good Rob! Yes I am really a Mom to 4 aging 14, 10, & 8 yr old twins:D Many Kumbaya moments lol:lol2:

Dear Lord, the fun's just startin'!:D We have 26, 25, and 20, and two of them work on campus with us. Its a plot, a subversive conspiracy to take over a University...:jester:

Seriously, managing can be brutal. If at all possible (assuming you apply, and get the position) be thinking about a delegational model you can work with- nurse teams, primary nursing, alltheotherfancyideasI'veforgotten. If you can have two "juniors" below you, and 2-4 "senior" LPN/MA/CNL/PCT or whatever you have available, that you can trust, it will be soooooo much easier.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

you may want to post this under Nsg Specialties:

LTC: Directors Nsg and Assistant

hopefully you'll get adequate responses there.

good luck!

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion