Nurses in management positions --help!

[OceanMindedRN]

Hi, I am currently a senior year nursing student taking a nursing management course. I was given an assignment to interview two nurses in management positions and ask them a series of questions that I will put down below. Anyone who can help me and give me their feedback about their job as a nursing manager, it would be sooooo greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to hearing from you all! I am going crazy trying to study for my first exam while going to clinicals and doing another 10 assignments. You all know the story! lol also I am so excited to have become a new member of allnurses.com. This is awesome!!!

1. What is your job title and where is your position on the organizational table in your organization?

2. What are the biggest challenges you face as being a manager?

3. What do you consider qualities that a manager should have?

4. What are the responsibilities of your job?

5. Can you hire, evaluate, or recommend change?

6. When a change is ordered by your institution, what strategies do you use to help staff conform and make the change?

7. What techniques or methods do you use to solve a problem with a staff member? For example a "just culture" or direct discipline.

8. When a corrective action plan is required, what role do you play, if any? Example of a situation.

9. Describe quality improvement actives in which you are involved. Could you give an example?

10. Is there any special training needed for the position you are in?

11. Do you have to serve on specific committees, attend meetings and how often?

[VivaLaVespaGirl, BSN, MSN]

Hi OceanMindedRN -

Several of our nurses on this site are also educators, have stressed that the point of these interview assignments is to actually go out and interview a nurse and practice those interview skills. There is a lot of give and take in an actual face to face interview that one misses out on when you just email or post a list of questions. Additionally, on an anonymous site, you have no idea whether the person you are speaking to is actually a nurse or even in management. You will not get any takers here, so my suggestion would be to use some of those connections you have been making in your clinicals to find a couple of actual managers to interview. I think you will find the experience extremely valuable. Good luck to you in your final year!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

another suggestion is to contact one of the Educators at a local hospital for names and numbers

[OceanMindedRN]

Hi OceanMindedRN -

Several of our nurses on this site are also educators, have stressed that the point of these interview assignments is to actually go out and interview a nurse and practice those interview skills. There is a lot of give and take in an actual face to face interview that one misses out on when you just email or post a list of questions. Additionally, on an anonymous site, you have no idea whether the person you are speaking to is actually a nurse or even in management. You will not get any takers here, so my suggestion would be to use some of those connections you have been making in your clinicals to find a couple of actual managers to interview. I think you will find the experience extremely valuable. Good luck to you in your final year!

Thank you for the advice. I forgot to mention we have to do TWO interviews, only one has to be face-to-face.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Thank you for the advice. I forgot to mention we have to do TWO interviews, only one has to be face-to-face.

I'm sure we do appreciate the variety of assignments, and their formats. However, an interview that is not "face-to-face" IS expected to be with someone whom you have verified their actual identity, and credentials. In other words, you can do a phone interview, or an email format, with someone you have contacted personally AND can prove who they are.

Online message boards, unfortunately, do NOT afford you that ability. I wish I could tell you that every person here who portends to be a nurse is one, but we've found imposters. Over the years, we've found people who give great details of their work histories, only to be discovered as frauds in the end. Why do they do this? Who knows. Acceptance, belonging, friendship where they previously had none.....whatever the reason, it does happen, and frequently enough to have those of us who are NOT frauds warn students of this very real situation. And it's why we ask you to call local hospitals, well-centers, medical practices, anywhere you can speak to a real live nursing professional, and KNOW that this is the case.

Wishing you the best! :)