RN, Nurse Manager

I feel that at times that my job is that of a baby sitter rather than a nurse manager. Does most managers feel this way?

Some days yes! Did you mean babysit the pts or staff

agree totally. My babysitting duty is with 29 of them.

I would have to agree. I just started a new job as DON and these nurses are truly starting to try my patience. Had to suspend one the other day for the most unsafe thing I've ever heard of in my life and a couple of the others have to have their hands held almost constantly. Their charting is terrible; their judgement is terrible. I am certainly not used to this level of near incompetence. And they've been inserviced but it has apparently gone in one ear and out the other. Not sure what to do here but their ignorance could end up costing me my license and I'm not too happy about that. Any suggestions??

Hi Theresa- am currently interviewing for a DON position after years as :) MDS coordinator. Am apprehensive and just a bit nervous about taking the step to DON but feel that I am able. Going for my second interview tomorrow and have already checked out the facilities QM's and recent survey results (not great either!)....but was just wondering about salary...wasn't sure what the going rate for DON is. Thanks!

I am continuously amazed at how adults with college training/degrees can have the level of unprofessionalism & lack of interest in advancing their training & skills as they do. I did the management thing for about a 1 1/2 years.

I am now doing education & had a situation just last week prior to ACLS testing. I do not allow open-book testing for ACLS written test or mega-code...because of the lack of preparation when students know it will be open-book...besides the fact that I think it minimizes the integrity of the program. Anyway, somebody, not sure whether nursing or respiratory started it, started whining about how I was out to fail them during ACLS because I didn't allow open-book...the same expectation from nursing school...know your material & they're whining about having to know what to do when a patient is dying before their eyes... Amazing!!

Good luck on the interview!! I was surprised when I went for the interview and found out that the salary was nearly the same as I was making as an agency nurse. I was driving 180 miles round trip, so when you deuct the gas, hotel, and meal expenses etc. the pay wound up being the same!! Plus only about 5 minutes from my house instead of 1 1/2 hours!!