Nurse Manager roles, views from Mgrs and Staff

[aazark]

Hello,

I'm a nursing student--you probably remember all the crazy homework we get!

My assignment is to ask a couple staff nurses and nurse managers this question: "What are the two most important roles that a nurse manager must fulfill?" Then I am to compare what the staff vs mgr says.

So I'm just wondering if anybody would be willing to participate.

Thanks.

[Jolie, BSN]

I've held positions as staff, assistant nurse manager and nurse manager. My role model for management was a nurse manager who had not only a nursing background, but also ran a small family business. Her advice was this: 1. Never ask a staff nurse to do anything that you are not willing to do yourself, and haven't already done. 2. Never mess with anyone's time or pay. If an error occurs in scheduling or payroll, correct it immediately. Don't ask anyone to wait for a corrected paycheck, even if it was the employee's error.

My opinion is that a nurse manager's job is to ensure that the staff has the resources necessary to do their jobs well (Adequate education, staffing, equipment, supplies) and to provide leadership in the form of setting a good example, having up-to-date policies & procedures, providing guidance in the form of honest and meaningful employee evaluations, handling disciplinary issues in a fair and timely manner, etc.

Managers need to have adequate clinical skills and knowledge to work the unit, especially on off-shifts and weekends when resources are scarce. But their most important contribution is their "people" and business skills and know-how, something that many nurse managers lack.