"Crazy" to decline this offer?

[Lucky724]

I have been offered a job - hospital setting - overseeing two units - surgical and medical. The pay is 25K more than I make now but the responsibility would be 10 fold at least. Throughout the interview process - which was LONG and even when the offer was extended I was told repeatedly I would be responsible "24/7" for the units (50 beds, plus all staff for both)..other Unit Managers remarked during the interview how they were usually able to leave between 5-6 each evening but sometimes it would be 7 or later, others talked about being called a 5 a.m. with staffing issues or having to come in on the weekends to help - all not compensated since the position is salaried while another said she had been in her position about a year and her husband "stayed mad" because she was "always" having to change their plans. It's a good hospital but a busy one. While I do not mind working and working hard or staying late I know this would be a a problem for me if it was something that happened often. I value money but I also value time - probably more so because of some personal losses that occurred in my life so I'm aware of how fast life goes, while I want and need to work I don't want work to be the reason for life - make sense? The only real benefit I can see if the increase in salary but I think what I would be giving up wouldn't be worth it - right now my spouse and I do ok - we are able to pay our bills, go eat, spend time together so it's not like I'm desperate for a job.

I work in a clinic that I like, with coworkers who get along, are supportive and even if there are personality differences, everyone does their job, little drama. No weekends, no holidays (but they are paid us holiday bonus), no nights, no call. Lunch is an hour. It's a safe place to work with mostly pleasant patients, close to where I live. Fridays are short days. I'm in a management position that is not overwhelming and I am support 110% by the few people above me. I rarely have to discipline anyone as the other employees do their jobs. If I need a day off or call out sick - which is rare - there is no backlash. Staffing is a breeze to get done.

The draw backs are its a specialty clinic so there is little variation from what we do, the hourly rate is about at I would make base in a hospital...there is a small merit increase yearly from what I'm told - I'm few months out from a year. As usual the MD's and the NP's can get snappy but that's anywhere - mostly they are professional and pleasant. It's not a setting where I am fully utilizing my degrees but I do get to use some clinical and management skills. It's low stress and I very rarely, if ever, work late.

My question, I guess, is for Unit Managers/Directors - are your weeks normally 40 hours? Are your weekends usually quiet? Knowing what you do now would you take the role again?

[amoLucia]

Not one of the UM/Directors or even acute care you seek , but if there ever was a post that screams out to me ....

Sounds to me like you're wanting us to talk you out of this position - that you really don't want it. You have mixed emotions but your 'pro' list seems to pale when compared to your 'con' list.

That's OK!!! Really! That's your gut feeling sending you warning signals! You're seeking validation that it's OK to decline this new position that only seems to offer you more money. That's OK!!!

You don't need us to talk you out of this position. Nor do you need any permission from anyone. Your inner voice is telling you what to do. Listen to it. Just the fact that you've noted the dissatisfaction of the other mangers with the position rings loud & clear. That's OK!!!

Who knows? Another possible position could come up and you'd have more 'PRO' for your list other than just money. (Altho money is a good thing.) If you're looking for some diversity or a little extra income, consider picking up something part-time somewhere.

You can call ME (and I betcha a bunch of others) "crazy" but I think you've got the better deal where you are now. Some people would give an arm or a leg for the 'PROs' of your current position.

JMHO

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Don't do it.

[TxRN-ICN]

Hello,

Everything they told you in your interview is absolutely true. I've been in management almost 5 years now and three different positions with different responsibilities in each but what doesn't change in your clinical responsibilities which does mean that you will be called at 0500 (or 0100, 0200) for clinical questions, you will leave at 7 p.m. so essentially doing 10 hours in one day. But sometimes you will leave at 0300 doing essentially 6 hours that day.

To answer your questions:

I do about 45-50 hours a week

My weekends vary

Would I take the role again? Absolutely.

Many of the problems I have reflect my own bad decisions. 45-50 hours a week is because my time management waned somewhere along the way for that week. You have to be a little selfish with your time (i.e. close your door for an hour to get your work done, turn off your phone also). You are constantly being interrupted and being a good manager means leaving your door open however, you also have work to do so close the door and concentrate for an hour on another task (stats, answering calls, catching up on emails etc.)

Second, my weekends can be disrupted due to the fact that I released the schedule unbalanced, put people who have little charge experience in charge etc. It took me awhile to figure that one out, so now I make sure my weekends are well staffed with experienced nurses in charge so I have my weekends less interrupted. However, I do have an assistant manager so that person is in charge of answering weekend call problems. If I am needed, I am consulted. Who will be your support staff? That's a question you need answers to.

I do make good money as a manager but my time is not my own. I miss my freedom. I am married to the job. As you get more experience, you learn how to handle your time better but I'm not there yet. I should be after close to 5 years but due to some hospital problems outside of my unit responsibilities, I am unable to be where I need to be just yet. Also, I switched management positions in one job and then relocated and ended up taking another management position so I had to relearn since each position required different things from me.

If I were you, I probably wouldn't take the job because you have it good where you are now (it seems like). But if I was looking to advance, grow, use my degree I would take it knowing that the first two years will be a time for growth. I hope they have a good mentorship program to build their leaders. If they do, then one year. After that, you'll get your rhythm.

I say I would take it again because I learned a lot about myself and it is always a different day and I like change, diversity, challenge. However, if you are not properly mentored, you'll burn out quick. Make sure they have a good mentorship or leadership program.

Good luck on your decision and go with your gut.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Being in nursing management requires a certain type of mindset that not everyone possesses. It is okay if you do not want this position.

Some would say you're crazy to walk away from an additional $25,000 per year in salary, but I think you know in your heart that this position is not an ideal fit for you. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[RNtoACGNP]

I agree with commuter, your current position sounds like a dream job that you love- I would not trade that for extra pay because that extra pay may not be worth it! What's money if you have no time to enjoy it

[Lucky724]

Update: my comments are to serve as a bit of friendly advice..first, I ended up having to take the managers position because one of the people on the panel interview was personal friends with one of the doctors I was employed by..who was not aware I was interviewing elsewhere. Once he was told - and not by me or HR where I interviewed - my job was over. So, if you think a current employer won't react negatively if you are interviewing elsewhere..trust me, it can happen.

I accepted the position because I had to at this point. I was actually going to decline it after much thought and looking at this site and others for feedback..I lasted less than 3 weeks. The salary was high but literally every work day ended up being close to 12 hours with weekends consisting of emails/calls and potentially having to go into the hospital. I realized VERY early on that the people in the positions definitely weren't kidding when they said they were married to their jobs..for this particular hospital that seemed to be the expectation/norm.

I could go one but basically the work/life balance was non-existent..and would not be..it was not like an occasional late day or weekend..this was constant.

My advice to anyone thinking of upper level management is make SURE you are able/willing to commit to the 24/7/365 availability as well as being willing to work the unit, attend LOTS of meetings, sit on committees and more. For those who are willing, my respect because while I want to work and need to, I am not ever going to be a nurse whose only interest/goal in life IS to work - no amount of money for me is worth it.

[jrt4]

Sorry to hear that . I do have to say that all management positions are not like this.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP: very good thread!!! Are you able to go back to your former employer? You wrote like it was a good fit for you and your life style. I am sorry that they did not give you a chance to report to them that you were only looking out of curiosity and you had no intention on actually leaving that position before they decided to let you go. Also, since you only lasted 3 weeks in management (I am not surprised given your original post that the position you were offered was not a good fit for you or your life style) was your former employer able to find someone to replace you??? If not, go back. Grovel, beg, plead, but go back if you can. :)

By the way, management positions outside of the hospital setting, I am told, are not as draining or as demanding on one's life. Thus, if in the future you choose to try management again, you may want to remain in the outpatient setting. In the immediate future, look at positions similar to your former one if you are not able to go back to your former employer.