Wanting to go to mgmt career?

[Twodecadevet]

Looking to take my career into another direction. 20 yrs. nurse, good clinical skills in variety areas. No, I'm not seeking NP, either. I recently have gotten a generic MSN, working on nursing education. Wondering if I should also go for mgmt. Nurse educators are needed, however, it seems as though everyone wants 2+ years of teaching experience. Anyone out there got some real life advice? Career trajectories for gaining a management role? I know it will take close to 3-5 years to move up into possible hospital mgmt. and/or LTC ADON/DON. I have tons of hospital experience. I'm even ready to move to LTC if the career prospects are there, and I work with geriatric folks most everyday.

I was happy as staff for a very long time, raising kids, etc. Now, it is time for a change.

Advice? Comment below

[llg, PhD, RN]

A common strategy that often works for moving towards either a management career or educational career is to start small while you are in a staff nurse position. Join committees, project teams, etc. that relate (even peripherally) to the career paths that interest you. Become more than just a reluctant Charge Nurse or Preceptor, become a great one who provides informal leadership/mentoring for the less experienced ones. That's the foundation that will get you the recommendations for your next job up the management or educational ladder.

Share with your supervisor that you are interested in taking on more responsibility, perhaps seeking a promotion in the future. Ask for his/her support. Seek a position as a unit level leader (staff educator, shift coordinator, assistant manager, etc.). A lot of those "1 step up from staff nurse jobs" are a mixture of staff nursing + some added responsibilities, but don't let that discourage you. That job is just a stepping stone. It gives you some experience to help you qualify for the next job that is a full time job in management or education.

Most times, you have to "start where you are" and move up gradually for 2 or 3 years to get some intro-level experience behind you before you can make the big career leap from the staff nurse level to a full time job away from the bedside. Use the time while you are in school to do some of that so that you can be ready for a promotion when you graduate or shortly thereafter.

Good luck!

[klone, MSN, RN]

I just want to clarify - you did not receive a "generic" MSN, you received an MSN in Nursing Education.