New to nurse management

[Jayreb84]

I was recently asked to become interim nurse manager of a Level II NICU and a small pediatric/gyn/motherbaby overflow unit. I have a BSN with 8 years of bedside experience in gyn/postpartum/peds and level II NICU (which is my love). I started at my current hospital about a year and a half ago in the special care nursery and was surprised by the lack of education and engagement. During that time, I have filled the role of charge nurse, resource coordinator, March of Dimes captain and nurse educator to the NICU staff. My current nurse manager announced her resignation and I was asked by the DON to be the interim nurse manager. I love bedside care and education in the NICU and the NICU staff is very supportive of my transition into management. I have received backlash from some of the pediatric staff when the announcement was made this week. Need some advice on how to deal with unsupportive staff during this transition and what to expect moving from staff nurse to manager. Thank you

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

It can be really tough to become an upper level manager in a unit where you were once line staff. Nurses who were once peers may have difficulty accepting you in your new role - but accept you they must. It is up to them to get past their own resentment, jealousy or whatever else is motivating them to push back. Eventually you may have to meet with the problem children individually and explain and define roles and expectations. You can tell them that you understand their disappointment over being passed over, but the job has become yours to do and that is exactly what you plan to do.

Best of luck to you.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

The above advice is very good. I want to add that you can show some humility towards the staff that "interim" does not mean you have the job. In fact, just from personal experience, I have rarely seen an interim nurse manager be offered a job. So, if you want this job, show the management team that you can make the transition as a professional or it is not your job to have...

In fact before you pull individuals aside, talk to the staff as a group in a huddle or in a department meeting and discuss some of their concerns in an open and caring/sharing atmosphere... After that, if the trouble children still spread poison, then pull him/her aside for a 1:1 conversation... Nip the bad behaviors in the bottom or they will get worse and you will not look like management-material in the eyes of those who made you interim. Good luck. Keep us informed. :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

Locate your resources -- and don't be afraid to call on them. Do you have a boss or peer that can mentor you a bit? It's usually a good idea to cultivate a few colleagues in your own institution who know the culture, history, etc. and who can give you some good advice about how to handle some of the stickier situations. If you don't already have someone like that at your workplace, see if you can develop some relationships quickly by saying that you need to "orient" to your new role by talking with some people in similar roles.