Post Assistant Nurse Manager Interview

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 7, 2015

I don't know about others having this type of arrangement, but I can see how it's beneficial.

It will show the staff you manage that you are willing to pitch in and do what needs to be done. That is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to earn the respect of the staff.

jrt4 · Oct 7, 2015

My first leadership position was like this. 75% of my time was spent in staffing and the other 25% was doing payroll, evals, etc. It is challenging but it wasn't bad. I was paid hourly so if I did get sucked into staffing more than my FTE I was compensated for it. I don't think this position is unique but it sounds entry level management. You have to be careful to set clear boundaries with staff as you are still their supervisor. When you are in the proverbial "trenches" it is easy to cross the line of appropriate vs inappropriate conversation.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

Yes, OP when short, yes, this is normal... And the 80% administrative thing is not accurate. We are expected to be Staff RNs, PCTs, Transporters, Charge RNs, Nurse Managers, and Administrators all in one with no extra pay and no union backed recourse/protections... You will likely be Charge or take assignments more often than not and have to take care of the administrative work on the side causing unpaid OT. This is why there is a very high turnover rate among entry level nurse mangers (ANMs).

klone, MSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

Yes, OP when short, yes, this is normal... And the 80% administrative thing is not accurate. ).

I imagine that is highly facility dependent. I know a lot of places where the assistant manager/clinical coordinator does not ever take an assignment.

special1rn · Oct 8, 2015

Well I got an offer today and another interview tomorrow. I just have to think about it and evaluate. I am not sure 80% floor is what I am looking for. We spoke in the interview and they are not filling any positions right now so even if I took it there is no idea for how long it would be this way. I would like to grow into a leadership position, however if all I am going to do is come in and take an assignment I am not sure how to achieve this. However I don't want to be to close minded about the opportunity either.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2015

I would like to grow into a leadership position, however if all I am going to do is come in and take an assignment I am not sure how to achieve this. However I don't want to be to close minded about the opportunity either.

Very good!!! I had/have the same approach, which is why I am not apart of the turnover rate. :)

ANMs are leaders. We also have direct reports, which ultimately will make a big difference in whether you will be seen as a future department manager or service director or not. For example, I know nurse leaders who have never had direct reports and so have hard time getting a department manager position. In addition, it is hard to take an assignment every shift and run the floor so you are likely not to do this often; the thing is it can happen because it was mentioned in your interview as a possibility as it was mentioned in mine.... Plus, you may become the charge nurse more often or cover breaks often because this is a typical expected duty and responsibility of an ANM on the floors.

I suppose ANMs that work in ancillary departments can get away with most of their work day buried in paper work, office/arm chair management (managing others behind closed doors), and/or meetings occupying their productive time, but those of us who work the floors are in the trenches with our team leading them up the hill throughout the shift. The meetings and paper work are a big part of the job, but you will be surprised how many meetings you will attend on a day off from the floor or how much paper work you will complete on your own time off from the floor.

special1rn · Oct 9, 2015

I forgot you work nightshift. But I always appreciate your feedback. What is your typical week like? I just feel so torn about this one. And maybe it is a clouded view in my system the shift managers have more responsibility but no jobs open, so I have been looking outside my system.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2015

I imagine that is highly facility dependent. I know a lot of places where the assistant manager/clinical coordinator does not ever take an assignment.

True! Under most circumstances this is appropriate.... However, on clinical floors it can happen even if it does not happen daily..... Last week a manager (department manager) accepted a few patients because he was short staff, his ANM already had patients, and no one else could take the patients. He did not have them all shift, but he had them! He was a nurse and someone had to take the patients.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2015

I forgot you work nightshift. But I always appreciate your feedback. What is your typical week like? I just feel so torn about this one. And maybe it is a clouded view in my system the shift managers have more responsibility but no jobs open, so I have been looking outside my system.

I work day shifts too!! :) I pick up all three shifts where I work as extras... :)

In fact, I just completed a day shift... Today I accepted a patient while running the floor. I did not take the patient the entire shift because the floor could not go without a Charge Nurse... Staffing and leadership acted quickly to get another nurse, but until they did, that patient was mine! :)

A typical week for me is running the floors on a shift as Charge. It is a juggling game to do everything. Your phone goes off every second throughout the shift and people walk up to you to request something of you or from you. For example, you have to address patient complaints, staff complaints, MD complaints, admissions, discharges, broken and missing equipment, quality and surveyor audits and reporting needs, escalations/disciplines, staffing, coordinating with House Sups... etc...

After my shift is over, I complete a lot of the issues and paper work that occurred throughout my shift or with my direct reports. I also write up reports.

Do not worry.... You will get used to the chaos....

special1rn · Oct 14, 2015

I just want to say thanks for all advice. I was offered the job. I haven't accepted yet. I am a little nervous about going back to night shift I haven't done this in 5-6 years. So that's new, however I do look forward to something new. I am just trying to negotiate a few more things then if all goes well I am off. I am most apprehensive about the morale on this unit, as well as learning a new system. But what gets us to goal without challenges.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2015

I am most apprehensive about the morale on this unit, as well as learning a new system. But what gets us to goal without challenges.

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Yes! You will grow fast if you allow the challenge to push you in a direction you have never been before without running the other way. The job is not for everyone for that reason. Plus, the challenges of being an ANM is non-stop and on-going. Once you have picked up 10-20 things your job requires, you will need to pick up 10-20 more things in a short amount of time. :) So, congrats and welcome! :)