Non nursing managers

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Is there anyone out there that is being managed by a non-nurse? I am currently being managed by a registered dietician who does not have a clue as to what I do. I have been working with non-nursing managers for the past 18 months. It is unique. I don't know how they can even do an evaluation. They don't understand nursing at all. My biggest fear is that they can't do an assessment nor are they concerned about patient/nursing issues. Has anyone experienced this type of situation??

Is there anyone out there that is being managed by a non-nurse? I am currently being managed by a registered dietician who does not have a clue as to what I do. I have been working with non-nursing managers for the past 18 months. It is unique. I don't know how they can even do an evaluation. They don't understand nursing at all. My biggest fear is that they can't do an assessment nor are they concerned about patient/nursing issues. Has anyone experienced this type of situation??

Valair55,

This is exactly what I am/WAS going through. My boss is a staffing manager, who manages MA's, business office, and I was the only nurse. WAS. Sorry, but I feel your pain. A lot of the problems I tried to describe to my boss (ie: not wanting to give a flu vaccine that was pre-drawn by an MA earlier, without me witnessing it)...she didn't understand. They have no clue what we go through as nurses, and I, too, found it difficult/impossible to deal with that situation. I don't know what advice really to offer, as it is the most frustrating...Just wanted you to know that I understand what you're going through. I hope others have advice for you.

Emma

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It's really a shame to read that many nurses are working under someone who isn't a nurse. If they want someone to do the scheduling, accounting, etc. that's fine, but then hire an "office manager" and get someone who knows nursing, patients, etc. to oversee the nursing staff. Seems like a simple soultion to me, but common sense seems to be lacking quite a bit in the world these days.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Just a little of the other side, I work with a non nursing manager and she is brilliant. Yes she questions me about cost and resource issues but will always defer to my clinical judgment if I say that decisions that she makes will increase clinical risk or impact on patient care.

I trust her managerial skills and ability to protect our interests at board meeting and she has implicit trust in my clinical judgement and supports any decision that I feel is appropriate.

I am very lucky

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Just a little of the other side, I work with a non nursing manager and she is brilliant. Yes she questions me about cost and resource issues but will always defer to my clinical judgment if I say that decisions that she makes will increase clinical risk or impact on patient care.

I trust her managerial skills and ability to protect our interests at board meeting and she has implicit trust in my clinical judgement and supports any decision that I feel is appropriate.

I am very lucky

Yes, you are.

As you point out, a good unit manager doesn't necessarily have to be a nurse, but know their limitations regarding clinical issues and have someone on board they can trust to assist them in those matters.

Worst manager I ever worked under was an RN with a bunch of letters behind her name, but had never worked in a clinical setting since graduation oh-so-many years ago, and had absolutely no experience in our field. Had she simply been a good manager, that could have been overlooked. Unfortunately, she suffered under the delusion that she was clinical nurse extraordinaire, and refused to listen to her experienced staff regarding patient care issues.

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Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.

I worked under a social worker for a while. It was very difficult for both of us. It did not help when the grant we were working under implemented a plocy that 75% of the grant had to fund medical case management, and as a SW she was not qualified to do it. I was the only nurse so you can imagine the workload. The grant was for 4 positions so that left 3 people to do 25% and yours truly with 75%. What we really needed was another nurse but the SW were intimidated so they hired ANOTHER SW. That said, I think there are good supervisors that are not nurses. The best you can do now is impress her with your competence so she will trust your judgement, and count the days to a new job!!

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Specializes in Psych, Geriatrics, Oncology.
Yes, you are.

As you point out, a good unit manager doesn't necessarily have to be a nurse, but know their limitations regarding clinical issues and have someone on board they can trust to assist them in those matters.

Worst manager I ever worked under was an RN with a bunch of letters behind her name, but had never worked in a clinical setting since graduation oh-so-many years ago, and had absolutely no experience in our field. Had she simply been a good manager, that could have been overlooked. Unfortunately, she suffered under the delusion that she was clinical nurse extraordinaire, and refused to listen to her experienced staff regarding patient care issues.

What a shame!

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

Right out of nursing school I was offered multiple management jobs due to my past business history and "new" nursing degree. I turned them all down....felt I needed to work as a nurse for awhile....I may consider it in the future, but right now I need to be a nurse.

On the other hand, nurses that are made management aren't always the answer. They don't have a clue how to deal with the higher ups or the many demands that may face them. Usually, they come down harder on the nursing staff because that is where their comfort level is. It's the "suck it up" attitude for coworkers.

Personally, I'd rather have a nursing manager with business experience....that is the best match.

Maisy;)

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