New Nurse Manager on Psych unit

[Crazy Mama]

I sure hope someone out there can give me some insight on what to expect. I will be in charge of a 15 bed unit on a Gero psych unit. I have been w/ this hospital for 5 yrs. on this unit and the 2 Physicians that we mainly use asked me to take the position. We have went through 4 NM in 5 years. I turned this position down several times, but the staff have encouraged me to accept the job. I went to HR and they only wanted to give me a 6% raise which would have been 27 per hour. I told them I wanted 32 at least and I ended up at the 29 mark, or so I thought. I spoke w the DON and an admin. and was told 29/hr was ok. I was also told that they thought that was fair because I could get a bonus if I kept OT limited to I was wondering if there is a guide line on what we need to do as a unit to be up "to snuff"? can I start a plan of correction and will this show JACHO that we're trying? Is there somesort of guideline I can use? I love what I do or I wouldn't be at this hospital (the pay sucks). I also don't want to be blamed for past NM errors. Thanks if you can help. I read the previous threads, and NM are not a favorite w the staff. I hope I don't fall prey to the same thing.

[joannep]

Hi, I totally understand where you are coming from.

Are you able to get help from your superior? Or from a unit manager on another ward. There is probably stuff on your computer that you haven't "found" yet. As I am in Australia I can't help with specifics, but networking seems to be the key here.

Good luck

Joanne

[Crazy Mama]

Hi, I totally understand where you are coming from.

Are you able to get help from your superior? Or from a unit manager on another ward. There is probably stuff on your computer that you haven't "found" yet. As I am in Australia I can't help with specifics, but networking seems to be the key here.

Good luck

Joanne

Thanks for the feedback. The hospital I work for is just now "coming of age". We still handle labs/x-rays by written message. We are unable to get lab results etc by computer. Recently we were bought out. The new company will be putting new computers in place and the other units will be doing bedside charting. On our unit I'm assuming that we will continue to chart at the station. We have 2 computers on our unit and unless I've put the info in, nothing else is there. I did get to speak with a representative from the company that oversees us and she did a quick walk through w/ me as far as the unit goes. She did say a plan of correction would be good for JCACHO. There was so much that needs to be corrected, that I typed out 4 pages for maintence to correct. Did you know that kids use broom straw to put in the elec. outlet to light cigarettes? Clocks if not secured can be used as a weapon. Exposed pipes can be used for pt. to hang themself, even the ones under the sink. Need non tampered screws for all the rooms so the pat. can't unscrew something and hurt themself. There is so much that I was unaware of. I did find another unit manager that is like me, searching for answers. I believe with the right attitude and if we pray hard enough things will be ok. I let you know how things progress.