Patient care manager

[mschelee, MSN, RN]

So today I enter interviewed with a small hospice company (census 30, case managers 2, one on call RN).

I thought I was interviewing for a case Managment position, but they are looking for a PCM. I have 4.5 years hospice experience, so this is pretty exciting to me. I was told they have a good training program and excellent support. My questions:

How do you tradition from being a co-worker ( just another case manager) to being the manager? I've had a manager that was too chummy with the nurses and we felt she wasn't professional enough, and I've had some that were to professional and micro managed. I want the balance. are there any PCM's that will share here secrets to being sucessful? And some home hospice nurses tha will share the best and worst clinical manager attributes?

Mschelee

Ps I won't find out until next week about the job:) but it looks good, the administrator wants me to meet with another administer next week.

[SoCalRN1970]

Good for you. But keep in mind.. you will be responsible for others performance. If their performance is subpar, it's your responsibility to clean it up and repair it.

Lots.. more work than a case manager.. good luck.

[SappyRN]

You have to seek a balance that builds the trust of your team along with the trust of your superiors. It can be a challenge, but think back to what you have liked and not liked about your past managers and incorporate some of those skills into your own. You have been in the field long enough to understand their duties and recognize weaknesses. You also know what things would have made you job a little easier some days. I worked in the field for 5 years when I accepted the PCM position over the team that I had always worked with. It has been difficult at times but also knowing everyone had advantages. Good luck.

[spacey]

SappyRN -- I am interested in how you transitioned. Could you share an experience where you had to pull back a bit in friendliness / friendships... or maybe where you came on too strong. It is difficult for a team to go through any change, but when a coworker becomes "boss" there is a lot of potential for hurt feelings on both sides. We are facing this now... although we don't have a decision on who exactly will be the "boss"... LOL. ANY advice or experiences you could share, if you have a minute... would be so interesting and helpful. We are all hoping for a teamwork mindset with a lot of positivity but hard decisions will also have to be made at some point. I guess it's unavoidable but it would be great to hear some specific examples of what you learned along the way!!!