Under appreciated or Self-Centered

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Mar 10, 2019

Initials and education do not necessarily make a good leader.

There is something in your leadership style that management does not want. Management won't tell you, but your most trusted coworker might.

caliotter3 · Mar 10, 2019

What BTDT said, or they could just be taking you for granted.

beekee · Mar 10, 2019

Do your coworkers come to you with questions or ask your advice? Do you pitch in without being asked? Are you in on the floor gossip?

Are you quick to (negatively) judge others? Do you keep to yourself? Do you look down on others who haven’t spent the time and money on letters behind their name?

There could be a myriad of reasons you are not being asked to train for charge. But I think some hard self reflection might reveal the answer.

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2019

On 3/10/2019 at 3:33 AM, BadChoiceRN said:
Hi,
I’m just looking for a little advice here. I landed my dream new grad job as an ER Nurse. Flash forward three years, I’ve obtained my BSN, almost done with my MSN, I have consistently sought out learning and certification opportunities outside of work using my own money and time as well as traveling long distances to do so, I have been told I am viewed as an experienced nurse on the night shift for this unit, and have worked hard to obtain multiple letters after my name as well. I would really like to continue to learn and grow my career. I would like to train to be charge nurse for this ER. This ER is notorious for being understaffed and utilizing new grads and then progressing them to trauma and charge nurse barely after only one year of experience. I have asked for feedback from leadership and management in ways I could improve and the responses I get are you are a huge asset to the department keep up the good work. I did start to train to be charge nurse for a handful of shifts, but have since never done training for this or been put into this position again. Again I asked for feedback so I could learn and improve and was told I was still going to be charge nurse as soon as they trained someone with 30 plus years experience that they just hired first. I have gone to almost every staff meeting since hired, I get great evaluations, again I hold more education than almost the entire department. I will always have something to learn and more experience to gain, but it’s been six months now and in that time they have been training multiple nurses to be charge with less nursing experience than I have and less time in an ER setting, many with barely over a year. I’m not sure what to do anymore because no matter how many times I’ve asked for feedback I get told I’m doing good and am an asset and am training to be charge. I don’t feel like my career is progressing at this organization anymore or that I’m appreciated or recognized for all the work I put in to progressing in this career and being a good nurse. Am I just being self-centered? Any advice is much appreciated.

Maybe you are too good and they need someone willing to throw people under the bus. Many of the charge nurses I have ran into have been the nurse ratched types.

TriciaJ, RN · Mar 13, 2019

I'm thinking 2 things: 1. Are you outspoken? Will you advocate for positive changes and appropriate staffing? Management may well prefer the mousy types who don't upset the apple cart.

2. You seem awfully eager to do charge. That is certainly not a bad thing; it shows your willingness to stretch yourself. However, management may perversely keep you back just because of your eagerness. They like things to be their idea and take a dim view of relentless self-promotion.

In other words, the very traits that might make a great charge nurse can be the what management is shying away from. Drop below the radar for awhile. Leave the alphabet soup off your name badge. Stop asking to do charge. Wait until they're in a bind and let them come to you. It's a matter of time until they do.

guest940422 · Mar 14, 2019

It'll happen, just not on your schedule. Start acting like a charge nurse now so its easy to see you in the role.

Education is great but it won't make you a better nurse or leader, people want to follow someone who is willing to work in the gutter with them, management wants to promote people who wont rock the boat and aren't too idealistic (it helps to understand the financial side of things too, saving money and preserving resources will get you noticed far more than picking up too much OT)

Don't over-extend yourself by jumping into every project/committee you can. Instead pick a favorite and work your way into a leadership role in that committee... when people see you spread too thin because you want to have your hand in everything you just seem too eager... it is good to have a focus and priority then they can see you leading in that aspect, you will feel like less of a threat to your coworkers too.