Should I take a supervisor position?

Hey RNin ICU:

I would talk with the director of nursing and ask her those hard questions as it really varies between institutions. Maybe you could make a REAL difference in changing policies are outdated and unsafe. I would make the leap...it is not like you can't leap back if you don't care for it....ICU will always need more nurses. My 2 cents...

Chris

Why don't you suggest trying a relief house supervisor position, fill in in emergencies while still maintaining you bedside nursing. It will give you a taste of what is to come and help in your decision making. Good luck

Chris B gives good advice. I have been a manager for 9 months now. I love the challenges. There are more "peaks and valleys" in management though. You have to make decisions that are not going to please everyone all of the time. There is also a big difference in having a desk where the work waits for you verses punching in and out of a shift where someone takes over your work.

Good luck with your decision! If the politics are not good, this may be your chance to make a difference!

Have you considered following two different managers, each for one solid day? This should give you time to ask questions and get a brief feel for the job.

If you decide to do this, network, reach out and find a mentor, a good one who put's nurses, not paperwork first. you need a support system, and a variety of persons to give you a sounding board for ideas and problems.

My hospital also offered management classes, I took every one! This will help too.

Good luck

sorry, didn't answer fully, you asked for likes/dislikes. I think this response will vary with everyone but here's mine.

Likes; Ability to encourage and nuture growth in ways other than clinical expertise, encouraging autonomy and participation in problem resolution, it's not my unit... it's the nurses unit... I'm there to provide information and remove barriers to inhance patient care. Also enjoy the decision making ability to make changes. Setting a open door policy.. and people start comming in.. usually with personal problems to share, once they trust you, they will confide in you... usually they just want someone to listen. I've learned so much about people and how to listen, I'm still in awe that they want to share pieces of themselves with me, I''ve cried happy and sad tears with many of them.

dislikes; Total accountability = long hours. When your short staffed and no one will come in, you have a choice... sit home while your staff is struggling or go in... even after working 10 hours.... how can you respect a manager that won't work side by side with the nurses... this = long hours. Phone calls at 1am, 2am, 4 am then getting up, going to work and getting a 1am call ect.

dislike; you are always being watched and evaluated, every facial expression and body movement is over evaluated for a while until the staff knows you.

final dislike... the problem employee, that you see so much potential in, that you keep mentoring, guiding, even disciplining fairly, that just can't make good choices for themselves and you have to choose to let them go, knowing they need their job so badly, but not enough to make required changes.

It's a very rewarding, sometimes exhausting career.

The fact that someone recognised special traits in you to handle such a challenging job is a HUGE compliment to you!

we're all here to help

carol