new grad offered nurse manager position

[aye125RN]

I just wanted to know does anyone think it is possible for a new grad with BSN to be offered a nurse manager position? What are the pros and cons of taking this position straight out of nursing school? Thanks for all inputs!!!!!!

[nkara, CNA]

I wouldn't be comfortable but it depends on you and the facility. I've been in management in other jobs but not nursing. I wish you well in whatever you decide.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

That's your personal opinion and one you are entitled to. But to say that a new grad manager would have no idea of what it's like to be a nurse is not entirely true if you've worked in the department for many, many years and know how it runs from top to bottom. A person might have years of managerial experience and years of clinical experience at a different level that may lack a few skill sets that can easily be obtained through training. Like I said, it's a situational decision. I'm not saying that I advocate new grads going into nurse manager positions however I am saying that if a situation presents itself and there is the support of all parties concerned, staff and physicians, than it can be possible.

Sorry. But I still stand by what I said. I was a PCT for 10+ years in the same place. I Knew the ins and outs of that place like the back of my hand.

Now that I'm a nurse, I can tell you-without any bedside experience you have NO idea of what it's like. And you never will.

[keme]

In my particular situation, I did have bedside experience. Like I said, I'm not advocating new grads with no hospital or bedside experience to take management positions. I'm merely saying there can be exceptions based on the situation and it just depends on the facility and staff.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

No, you didn't. When I say bedside experience, I mean as an RN. No other experience compares.

[keme]

I agree. As a new grad RN I confer...no experience compares. But in my case, it was a skills set, not necessarily the experience and it doesn't mean I don't understand the role. I've precepted LVNs and even trained RNs on specific procedures and worked there long enough to understand the duties and workings of the department. The RNs respect me because I have proven myself knowledgeable and am always willing to help out when needed. The MDs respect me for the same reason and appreciate my work ethic.

[rn/writer, RN]

I agree. As a new grad RN I confer...no experience compares. But in my case, it was a skills set, not necessarily the experience and it doesn't mean I don't understand the role. I've precepted LVNs and even trained RNs on specific procedures and worked there long enough to understand the duties and workings of the department. The RNs respect me because I have proven myself knowledgeable and am always willing to help out when needed. The MDs respect me for the same reason and appreciate my work ethic.

Because of your somewhat unusual history, you may be a rare exception to the rule. But for the other 99.9% of new grads, they simply are not prepared to take on two very different--and often conflicting--skill sets at the same time.

More often than not, when facilities are willing to offer a management position to someone fresh out of school, there is something hinky going on, and they are hoping the newbie will not be savvy enough to figure it out until she's already in the crosshairs. New nurses considering this kind of position need to ask themselves why no seasoned nurse wants the job. They should ask how long the previous manager held the position. If the answer is less than a year, they might be looking at a "disposable" position. Hire fresh blood. Burn 'em out. Then move on to the next crop of new grads.

When I graduated, there was no nursing shortage. My first job was night charge on a complicated sub-acute unit with 2 aides and 35-40 patients with end-stage renal, hepatic, HIV, ca, and other diseases. After six months, I escaped, still fortunate enough to have my license. I found out later that management at this place used the aforementioned disposable nurse plan. Later, I was not at all surprised to hear about them in the news for serious violations that included at least one resident death. I believe the state finally shut them down. Either that or the corporation that owned the facility decided that doing right by their residents and staff cost too much, and they threw in the towel on their own.

Looking back, I am appalled at what I had gotten myself into and am thankful that I made it out of there before I made any serious errors.

It's the same lack of experience that renders new grads unsuitable for immediate management that sets them up to accept such a dangerous "opportunity."

[keme]

Precisely why I don't advocate it. :) And you're right, mine was just a rare case where it worked because of circumstances that's all.

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

You want the truth? Here it is, baby girl:

You are being offered this position because nobody else wants it. For whatever reason, NOBODY ELSE WANTS IT.

You are not being offered this job because you are special/uniquely gifted/immensely qualified.

NO ONE ELSE WANTS IT. No one else would take it, for any amount of money. They couldn't convince an experienced nurse to take it so they figured they might as well take a chance on you. They were hoping that, with your lack of experience and expertise, you wouldn't realize that they were trying to hoodwink you.

Something is very wrong here. Call me the eternal pessimist if you need to but RUN don't walk from this place.

Firm grip on your panties, head into the wind, and don't look back.

The vibes scream "BAD NEWS."

[WindwardOahuRN, RN]

I agree. As a new grad RN I confer...no experience compares. But in my case, it was a skills set, not necessarily the experience and it doesn't mean I don't understand the role. I've precepted LVNs and even trained RNs on specific procedures and worked there long enough to understand the duties and workings of the department. The RNs respect me because I have proven myself knowledgeable and am always willing to help out when needed. The MDs respect me for the same reason and appreciate my work ethic.

I'm confused. Exactly what was your role?? "Skills set, not necessarily the experience"?

What does that mean?

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Wow ... I hope you told them NO WAY!

[Yendis, LPN, LVN]

Firm grip on your panties, head into the wind, and don't look back.

That was too funny!!! I totally agree!!:chuckle:yeah:

[BunnyRN]

I feel that a nurse manager should be clinically experiencedin order to be able to manage the floor. At least he/she will be confident and able to take on the daily pressure.

:cry:A new grad shouldn't have to worry about managing other experienced nurses, when they need to get their feet wet.

After, getting real nursing experience for a few years, you'll be able to understand your coworkers and their needs. Then, why not???