New Career in Management???? Advice?

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So, I am being considered for a management position at a facility much closer to home. I currently work as a staff nurse at another facility in a neighboring county. I love where I work and I love the people I work with, but I would really like to advance in my career. Where I am now, I have many friends, and I know if I leave I will be putting them in a bind. But at the same time, this position, if I get it will not only advance me in my career but is also much closer to home and better pay. I guess I just feel very guilty. Is there any advice or words of wisdom you can give me? I would love to hear it.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Don't let anyone (including yourself) guilt you into staying. For every job you leave, you will leave a hole that will need to be filled. That's just a fact of life. Don't let that stop you from a good opportunity that comes your way.

And ... if the new job doesn't turn out the way you would like it to, it sounds like your old job would welcome you back.

So if the new possibility develops into a real new job ... give it a try. Have a good life and good career. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

Go for it!!!! Your co-workers will be fine.

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Gonna let your co-workers run your life?

YOU are # 1 . Do what you need to do.

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Lots of wisdom provided already. I’ll just say that it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you. Go. Enjoy the advancement and the other perks. Good luck! ??

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

There are definite advantages to transitioning to a management position somewhere other than with your current employer. Taking an in house promotion often comes with some issues when you are suddenly the boss of people that were formerly your co-workers.

If a management job is what you're interested in, go for it! Just make sure you leave your current employer on good terms so if you decide down the road it isn't what you want you have the option of going back.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

I agree with kbrn, it's better to start in management somewhere fresh so you co-worker friends aren't expecting special treatment for days off or whatever.

I think you'll get along well with new staff since you seem to have a lot of friends where you are now.

The fact you're worried about leaving your friends in a bind means you care, but consider the fact there will be an opening for another nurse who may really need or want it and it's their turn to be there now.

Change is scary. You're leaving something comfortable. Don't let it hold you back. If they are really your friends they will support you. If they aren't, then you haven't lost anything!

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Is management something you really want to do? I would just make sure you have a very clear idea of what the job entails before accepting it. I was a nurse manager for four years with a LOT of support and it was HARD. It's hard supervising colleagues, hiring and disciplining staff, having less direct patient contact, making schedules, denying time off requests, etc. It is also really hard being the person that ends up "responsible" when there are scheduling issues, staff disciplinary issues, etc. I gained a lot of experience but I also knew after those four years I will never return to a management position again. Not at all trying to dissuade you, just want to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before accepting the position. If you do take the job, allow yourself at least a full year before knowing if you will like it. It is a steep learning curve for sure.

I think feeling "guilty" for leaving is a natural response when you are genuinely happy where you are, but you need to do what is best for you.

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If you are someone who loves to have friends at work among your co-workers...and you have good solid friendships and a team with the people that you currently work with...then I would say seriously consider not taking the management job. I only say this because-in order to be an effective manager I feel that it involves a different skill set...one in which you need to enjoy the people that you work with certainly...and develop your team of people and allow them to grow and develop...but the bottom line is-when you are their manager, you cannot be their friend. I mean this in the nicest way possible. What I am basically trying to say is: when you are the manager, you cannot be the friend. You can be friendly, and caring and supportive...but if you are the 'friend' in the same way you are currently with your co-workers-you will lose the ability to be an effective manager. And if having many work friendships are important to you-you are best remaining where you are.

That being said- if it works better for you pay wise and distance wise-and you are up for a new challenge....go for it! Either way, all the best on whatever you decide. ?

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
On 2/20/2019 at 6:23 PM, SarahLeeRN said:

If you are someone who loves to have friends at work among your co-workers...and you have good solid friendships and a team with the people that you currently work with...then I would say seriously consider not taking the management job. I only say this because-in order to be an effective manager I feel that it involves a different skill set...one in which you need to enjoy the people that you work with certainly...and develop your team of people and allow them to grow and develop...but the bottom line is-when you are their manager, you cannot be their friend. I mean this in the nicest way possible. What I am basically trying to say is: when you are the manager, you cannot be the friend. You can be friendly, and caring and supportive...but if you are the 'friend' in the same way you are currently with your co-workers-you will lose the ability to be an effective manager. And if having many work friendships are important to you-you are best remaining where you are.

That being said- if it works better for you pay wise and distance wise-and you are up for a new challenge....go for it! Either way, all the best on whatever you decide. ?

I agree with much of what you say, but as a former business executive, must point out that managers develop new professional "friend" among their new peers. In addition, it is indeed possible to become friends with subordinates. Many of my closest friends were once my subordinates, and I have also become friends with some of my former managers. That said, it is important to be very professional at work and not get involved in gossip, backstabbing, and favoritism. Be kind, but also fair, firm, and consistent.

Good luck!

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Hello,

I can relate to feeling guilty..but you come first. It is always hard leaving a job where you have good people around you, I believe that is rare. I do agree with the posts above that you should really understand the role you are applying to and consider if you are their right fit. Everything comes with risk and from personal experience when you get to the higher positions it gets lonely at the top. The reason I say this is as a RN I had a great group of colleagues and then when I became a NP it was a lonely-kind of isolating not working in a team anymore. Definitely a different type of stress.

So I agree with Sarah Lee- you will not be able to have great friends around in this new position- you will be more lonely. (I am not trying to discourage you from taking this job) but just realistic.

Good luck

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