Should I take management offer?

JKL33 · Jun 24

It really depends on your skills, interests and personal career goals.

It's interesting that you say you would regret not having taken the managerial role if the physician with whom you are currently working moves/quits. You don't say exactly what your role entails right now but since you are working with a single physician and not managing nearly 30 people it seems fair to say the roles are vastly different....and you said you do love the job you have now.

Maybe it would be good to ask yourself whether you're more just feeling pleased and complimented at the idea that others would consider you fit to be a manger...or do you really want to MANAGE 30 PEOPLE?

You probably know the answer to this. Have you been hoping to get into a managerial role and preparing for an opportunity?

I am admittedly biased as I have never for a single day in my nursing career wanted to work in a managerial role. I would not be good at it....but there are certainly those who are. I think it is likely a bit of a thankless job and many organizations are rough on managers; they get it from all sides, really. I would be concerned about the significant stress and much longer work hours that come along with the 15% increase in your pay.

Nurse7995 · Jun 24

Thank you for the reply! You make an interesting point and I think a large part of it is feeling flattered at being offered the job. If I compare the two roles I would rather stick with my job now. It's a very straightforward easy job. I don't really aspire to be a manager but I also don't want some new person coming in and making changes. I wouldnt say I've been hoping for a manager job. I think I've always envied nurse managers in some way but I'm not sure if the perks outweigh the stress. Currently I do more administrative work than clinical. Assist in procedures, schedule surgeries, phone triage, assist with orders. I would regret not taking it if this doctor left because I wouldnt want to get stuck with a mean doctor.

JKL33 · Jun 25

Nurse7995 said:

I would regret not taking it if this doctor left because I wouldnt want to get stuck with a mean doctor.

We're all different and I understand your concern but I would MUCH rather have to work at winning over a somewhat jerky physician than listen to and constantly manage and deal with the life difficulties of THIRTY PEOPLE under me. A physician that needs to get along with me is a drop in the bucket.

If you don't want this opportunity to pass you by then...I mean, you don't want to go through life piling up one regret after another. So do what feels right to you!

Good luck with your decision ~

mdsRN2005, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 26

I definitely would not take it out of fear that your doctor might leave or out of gratitude for being offered. I would only take it if you truly have a desire to work in that role. Most people either are a mgmt personality or not. I am and would jump at it in a heartbeat, because the staff nurse role would bore me to tears. The fact that you don't feel the same way makes me wonder if you don't have the desire for mgmt. Ask yourself this — if you had a guarantee that your current doctor would never leave and that if you passed the mgmt job up a competent person would be hired to take it, would you regret not taking it? If you'd kick yourself over it the rest of your career, take it! But if you'd be perfectly happy to stay in the staff nurse role, then maybe mgmt is not for you? Good luck deciding and hope you enjoy your job either way!

simplminz · Jul 29

Being a good nurse manager is not an easy job. A good nurse manager is a leader and supports her staff while balancing the demands of those over her. It requires a lot of hours and work. Good managers are in short supply. If you want a department that runs well and is respected you need to have the respect of your staff. Managers are responsible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take a long hard look at what you want your life to look like. Do you want work life balance? Your time off not to be interrupted? Does it energize you to mold and shape a department? (If so I would encourage you not to make sweeping changes immediately if you want to earn the respect of your staff)

It sounds like you're enjoying the position you have now and the benefits of it. Are you bored with it? There will always be management positions available and other avenues in nursing to pursue.
Good luck

Nurse7995 · Jul 29

Thank you! This is great advice. I am doing the role in the interim and is quite stressful and poor work life balance. It's also not very good pay. I do not plan to take the position after this interim phase.