New Moderator for Nursing Management Forum

Sterling-RN · Jun 16, 2005

Hi all .... just wanted to let you know that Brian appointed me as the moderator for the Nursing Management Forum. I frequent this forum often and asked Brian if it would be ok to moderate the forum as I am pretty passionate about some of the issues discussed here.
I would love to encourage nurse managers from all walks of life to come to the forum and lend their ideas as well as discussions. The topics have been very intersting and educational and I know that many nurses and nurse managers benefit from this forum.
I am going to open a new Roll Call thread so we can get updated on all the new nurse managers that are out there as well as new members to allnurses. Nurses who are considering management are certainly welcome to lend their ideas as well as discussion.
A special invitation is extended to the lurkers in this forum ... the folks who just read the threads and do not respond. Please feel free to join in. I promise and I know the other nurses promise a flame free experience.
Anyway - I am happy to be moderating this forum and welcome any suggestions as we move forward together.
Patrick - RNPATL

Hi Patrick,

I understand that you had left the role of Nurse Manager a few months back, but I was hoping that you could impart some of your wisdom about moving up the ranks into management.

I am still, technically, a new grad RN. I earned my BSN in December, and sat for my boards in Feb of this year. I came to nursing with a Bachelor's in Busness Management, and my application is sent to the same University to begin work on the MS in Nursing and Healthcare Management.

I am always touched by my work on the floor. I work in a Nursing and Rehab facility, and although I am impressed with the art and science of nursing, and the personal rewards that go with it, I am longing to inch my way in to a role that will help me to carry out a vision I have for myself.

I see a lot in my facility that I would like to give attention to. I keep thinking that my voice is not being heard, and I have the goal of setting new standards. I am not complaining so much about the plight of nurses and associate staff, but about the process, and the style of management that causes friction between departments, and ultimately affects patient care.

In defense of the facility's management, they are abiding under corporate policy. If change can come about through our home base, though, I would like to lead the charge.

I know that you have the experience to give me a little insight into what I am setting myself up for. I have heard the horror stories that come with the position, but I feel as though there has to be positive outcomes. I know that I am relatively fresh to nursing, but I am somewhat seasoned in healthcare and in management.

Thanks for your time and guidance. I hope to hear from you soon.

Mark

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Jun 16, 2005

Mark - you cetainly sound like an individual that has a mission and understands how to move forward with that mission. Bravo to you!

It sounds like you are in a skilled facility? If you are, then it will not be long before the Director of Nursing role opens for hire. Unfortunately, these positions turn-over frequently. Not because the people in the role are bad, rather, the role is stressful and highly challenging. If you desire to move into a Director role .... then I would suggest sitting tight and getting some general floor experience. I have found over the years that many people who desire to get into management, do not spend enough time on the floors, learning the culture of the floor and the people. Once promoted into management, they can not understand what is going on with their staff members and they can not effectively lead positive change. My suggestion is get some experience on the floor. Not becasue you need to, but becasue your future staff members need you to.

In the mean time ... it might be helpful to let your Director of Nursing know that you would like to participate on some committees designed to improve care. This involvement gets you active in what is happening with the facility. It gives you the opportunity to network with the other department heads and often with the administrator. When a position opens, it would be common sense for them to consider you for a position, becasue they know you and have worked with you on these committees. That would be the first step.

Next step would be to offer to cross train with the MDS and with staff development. Fill in for vacations ... yes, even work overtime if needed. This way you get exporusre to many of the areas that you may be supervising in the future. You may not have any direct experience as a Nursing Leader, but you can point to the fact that you have crossed trained in education, MDS and chair or participate on several house committees. All these activities make you look promising as a future leader. I know when I was runiing a nursing home as the administrator, I would often look at rising nurses and see if they had the potential to be the next Director of Nursing. Nurses that were present and involved in the operation of the facility were always my first choice for the position.

Last, but certainly not least ... earn the respect of the staff. Nothing is worse than a nurse that wants to move up the ranks and uses the people they work with to get there. Develop healthy and respectful relationships ... so when the position opens, people will naturally look to you and encourage you to apply for the job. Any administrator worth anything will go to the staff with candidates and ask them for their opinions.

Hope these tips help! Good luck man ....!

Patrick