SummerIsMyFave2

Interesting! I applied and was accepted to beginning my MSN for FNP this winter. I have been an RN at a Critical Access Hospital which means wearing multiple hats! I'm an RN in every area of nursing (M/S, ER, Surgery, health clinic...) and also the 5K Director, Marketing team member, Safety Committee member, in charge of Employee Health....always Lots to do! We have been in a major overhaul of restructuring and hired a new DON. I was encouraged to apply. I asked for the job description and told my HR that I felt a MSN would be best for the role. Ends up they hired the new MSN prepared DON and then because of restructuring and various experiences that I've gained, it seemed to be a good fit for me to work alongside of our new DON. So.... MSN work is postponed for now. I also have contemplated MSN for nursing leadership or MBA. I lean toward MSN. This is how I came into management. I've led various projects and there was a need. I'm passionate about patient care and advocacy.... as Employee HEalth nurse, I'm also an employee advocate. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know.... until you go for it. I'm a 20 year experienced RN. I have had great leadership and not-even-close-to-good management that was ineffective leadership and disappointing. :-)

I have worked with several MU RN/BSN grads. They have seemed pleased with the educational experiences received. Some people who graduated from an RN/ADN program in the same town have told me that their clinical experiences in local hospitals have told them that their ADN preparation seemed to focus more on the clinical skills versus research, leadership, etc. That is a generalization though because I've worked with both community college ADN grads and MU BSN grads. I would be comfortable recommending MU for a BSN program.

I believe that being a nurse manager is a privilege and challenge at the same time. Your Critical Care experience is a great asset. You can learn a lot in two years. As a more seasoned nurse (aka "older" nurse ;-) ) I would also like to say that I personally appreciate the insights that newbies can share. Communication is key. Have a presence... which you WILL in a charge nurse role. As a new RN in 1995, I thought so highly of our charge nurses. She worked very closely with the nurse manager and they were really the greatest team of leadership I've had in my career was on that Oncology unit. In my 20 years I have been blessed with true Mentoring leadership and also bummed/disappointed to have experienced very poor leadership. I believe we do learn from both types. Your post *sounds" like you have enthusiasm and passion. There is always a lot to learn. I also think you can be firm w/o being a jerk. Accountability is so important but it's important to require it from the get-go and by setting the best positive example you can. "You get what you tolerate".... whether from administration, fellow nurses or the docs. Know that there will undoubtedly be challenges. There will also be blessings/joys along the way. I personally am an avid book reader to learn more about leadership. "The Essential Drucker".... "Crucial Conversations".... "The Leadership Challenge".... read a biography of an inspiring leader in history. You do not HAVE to read everything "leadership" - that is just how my brain works. Soak up as much as I can from good resources. Listen to your co-workers. We cannot make everything perfect, but we can try to make it the best possible. We can also lead by positive example. Best wishes to you!!!