New manager starting soon. Mixed emotions

Davey Do · Dec 22, 2017

My unit is getting a new manager.
Could be really great for me, but I always expect the worst.

I hear you. The GeroPsych unit is going through the same thing and I expect the worst. Why? Because in my career, the majority of new managers believe they can do great things when in reality they're only on some sort of power trip.

Anyone have advice/experiences to share?

You have, of course, heard of NETY? Well, I am a NETNM. I have eaten some new managers. I have driven nails into their coffins after they've power tripped me and tried to tell me what my job is after I've been doing it for years.

New managers don't want to make our jobs better. They want us to make them look good. And they typically start out by changing a process- by fixing something that's not broken.

Too often, administrators try to fix stupid. For example, if one incompetent nurse does something imprudent, then administration comes up with a form to rectify this situation. Instead of identifying the individual, counseling and educating them, EVERYBODY has to pay the piper.

And this is what new managers do: They rush into a situation with great temerity, have one look around, and believe they are Mighty Mouse who has come to save the day!

I apologize. I am not in a very positive space when it comes to new managers.

I always expect the worst.

We pessimists are rarely disappointed.

The very best to you mmc.

JKL33 · Dec 22, 2017

My unit is getting a new manager. This is my first time having this kind of transition. It is very nerve wracking!
We should be better off, but the not knowing is stressful. I am sure it is on the other end, but the wait has been a struggle too. We have been w/o one for more than a few weeks and new one starts mid-Jan.
Not sure what to expect. Do they ever meet with each nurse? We are a small unit. How much do they talk to previous manager (I know this one has and our old one is still employed in a different capacity-awkward!).
Could be really great for me, but I always expect the worst.
Anyone have advice/experiences to share?

I mean this genuinely - having any real degree of stress about this means too much of your life/identity is tied up in work, which these days is means you're signing up to care way too much about a situation that wouldn't stop for one millisecond if you fell off the face of earth.

See, put it in those terms and you can stay c/c/c (calm, cool, collected) no matter what happens with the transition.

And Davey started it, not me.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

Davey- you crack me up. I think the problem with the old one, they did not like the strong people that would make them look good; saw that as a threat for some weird reason. I am a huge team player. JKL, i disagree with you. I have some anxiety, but I am old enough to have learned that there is not a single person that is not replaceable. I just would like the drama to stop-mostly caused by ex NM.

I just finished my MSN, I have options-I don't need to stay there. I just love the unit and the doctors, I am comfortable there and want it to continue to be a fabulous place. We have surgeons that people come from all over the country to see. I am proud of that.

We do have some nurses that NETNM. That might be interesting. I don't want anyone run off. I want fairness (as much as possible).

I'll fond out soon enough!!!!!

Thx all!

cleback · Dec 23, 2017

Maybe they'll be great? And not jaded? Open to ideas?

I had a newer manager at one of my jobs. She just left for greener pastures but she was great. Very invested in developing our department. I definitely miss her enthusiasm and I hope our next shares some of her qualities.

I guess I'm an optimist.

AceOfHearts<3 · Dec 23, 2017

It was the best thing for my unit. We knew the new manager and we all loved her and were thrilled. We went from having an unengaged manager who was never around to the total opposite. Things around the unit were fixed. Our break room was improved and was turned into a comfortable place for us to eat- we actually got chairs for it!! I know, such a novel concept that somebody has an actual place to sit and eat their food- especially when those 30 minutes might be the only time they aren't on their feet for 12+ hours.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Dec 23, 2017

You are right to be concerned. New managers will flog the peons to make themselves look good.

I worked on a unit for 4 years. We had 4 different managers and long periods without one. ( Goes to show ya that that level of management is not necessary). The only manager that worked with staff stayed 3 months. When she left, she said" I can't force anybody to do something that I could not possibly do".

Good that you have options, let us know what happened.

CCStacey · Dec 27, 2017

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Chances are that the new manager is as nervous to meet his new staff as you are. This new transition may be for the best of your unit and could open up a new view on how you can improve your performance.

allnurses Guide · Dec 27, 2017

I have had a lot of transitions to new managers. None of them were awful. A few straightened things up that needed to be straightened. All of them were good people working a very hard role.

Keep doing what you do. Time will tell.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 28, 2017

I've had lots of new managers over the years, and most of them were great. Some make an effort to sit down with every one of their staff for a 15 minute chat about their goals -- and some don't. The ones that didn't do so formally usually made an effort to get to know us informally. As with anything else, you usually find what you're looking for, so why not look for a good experience?