The best manager you ever had?

Mermaid4 · Aug 19, 2004

The one I had in 1982 who, during a discussion with two irate physicians over one of the nurses who actually appropriately stood up to them, said, "Once I have spoken to the nurse involved in your dilemma and heard her side, I will schedule a time to speak with you since her opinion and version, is every bit and possibly even more important than yours..." She didn't take doc complaints at face value OR lose sleep over trying to bend over backwards to please them at the expense of "Her nurses." God bless you Shirley Overstreet wherever you are!

KacyLynnRN · Aug 19, 2004

The BEST manager I've had is Nikki D., who used to live here in Indiana but moved to Florida to take another job. She used to show up at 5am, in scrubs, to help night shift get vitals and labs when we were short. She actually CARED about my coworkers and I, and if we had a personal situation going on, not only would she work things out as far as our attendance, etc...but actually asked us how WE were doing! I've never seen another manager understand what we really went through as nurses out on the floor, (she missed the class on how to develop amnesia on what working on the floor is like when you get into management, as most other managers I've had have taken!) or care so much.

Unfortunately, we've had to trade her for one of the "bad managers" :crying2:

nursemike, ASN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

My manager is very nice, and quite attractive, but I think she may have a bit of a crush on me. Most semi-annual evals last 15 min, tops, but if security didn't come drag me out of mine after an hour and a half, I think she might talk to me all day.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 19, 2004

I've had a few nurse managers who were willing to help out on the unit, but none who actually knew what the hell they were doing when they did. Nevertheless, you have to give them points for trying!

My best manager actually stood up for her nurses as well. That's pretty rare among managers! And I don't understand why that should be so, because a manager who is loyal to her staff begets loyalty FROM her staff!

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Aug 19, 2004

I've had a few nurse managers who were willing to help out on the unit, but none who actually knew what the hell they were doing when they did. Nevertheless, you have to give them points for trying!
My best manager actually stood up for her nurses as well. That's pretty rare among managers! And I don't understand why that should be so, because a manager who is loyal to her staff begets loyalty FROM her staff!

Unfortunately, the managers that I've had who routinely stood up for their nurse did not last long in their positions. The powers that be like "yes" men and women in management roles and those that stand up for nurses, although beloved by their staff, are not what the big dawgs want in place - they want people who will "keep those nurses in their place". I'd say that is why managers with a spine are such a rare occurrance.

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2004

The manager we have now is the best manager I think I have ever worked under. She comes in in nursing attire everyday and has no qualms about pitching in to help when needed. She is easy to talk to and is always willing to listen. She has done more for our department in the last few months of being there than the former manager did in the years she was there. I can't say enough good about her, she is great!!!!

The last manager before this great one was one of the worst managers I have ever worked for. Rarely did we see her at all, let alone see her in nurses attire. Never listened to anything anyone had to say or address complaints or issues that needed addressed, not even if they were voiced by our docs. She was VERY unprofessional and everyone was glad to see her go! One of the nurses had a going away party for this bimbo, and even collected money for a gift. I didn't contribute money nor did I go to her party. I was glad she left and so was everyone else.

Pam :)