Unit nurses...how do you feel about an outsider becoming manager?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Do you think it's generally better to promote from within the unit, someone who is acutely aware of the unit's issues and problems, and knows in and out how the unit operates? Or would you see benefit of an 'outsider' taking over the unit manager job - fresh eyes, no previous relationships with staff as a peer, etc?

Would you choose the devil you know over the devil you don't?

Just curious about people's feelings - do you feel there are more hard feelings if a manager is chosen from outside the unit, rather than choosing to promote an internal candidate?

[brownbook]

I have had both. The one promoted from within was awful!

I just want a manager with good people skills, good common sense.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Internal is better if the person is fairly neutral and "plays well with others". Someone who's experienced a lot of conflict with co-workers would NOT be ideal, however.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I have seen it work out both great and horribly in both cases. The best way is for staff to interview the candidate and help decide who is best for their needs.

[MunoRN, RN]

In general hiring an outside candidate works out better in my experience.

The biggest challenge for any new manager is overcoming the entrenched "this is how we've always done it" views of staff, hiring from within often just further entrenches the things a manager should be changing.

[Dranger]

Outside. Too many conflicts of interest with an internal candidate.

[TheSpectator]

Another vote for bringing in an outside manager in most situations. My unit recently had to make this decision and promoting internally would have been a disaster for us. Some people have been resistant to change but it has worked out well so far.

[Libby1987]

Outside.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

People can usually forgive anything but a co-worker who rises from the ranks. I'd vote for an external candidate.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I would also vote for an outside candidate. We have promoted from outside our ICU but within the organization and some of that nurse's former employees worked on our floor and it was a disaster for them. They left the former unit to get away from her and found her being their manager again.

I was asked if once I got my BSN if I wanted to be an ACM on a unit and said "NO way". I knew I couldn't be fair with some of the nurses I previously worked with. Why? Because I knew them from before and the problems they caused, and knew I would not be fair in dealing with them due to preconceived notions.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

An experienced manager knows how to 'learn' a new department... how and when to introduce change in a way that will most benefit everyone involved. Internal promotions always trigger resentment because in order to be an effective leader, you cannot be 'friends' with subordinates... you have to treat everyone the same. This is unbelievably difficult especially when it comes to colleagues that may have seen you through "thick and thin" as a staff nurse. A first management job is stressful enough without having to deal with this also.

Yep - experienced manager from outside is preferable.