What is your definition of a good manager?

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I am curious as to how nurses feel about their managers, and what constitutes an effective manager in your opinion.

I feel that a manager should be able to run circles around the staff-meaning that they should not only be able to DO your job, but be a confident and reliable resource when you get into the weeds. I believe that managers should LEAD their staff when they have the desire to learn more (meaning sitting down and discussing educational offerings when you as a staff nurse express an interest in further learning, like trauma conferences, charge nurse classes, CEUs). I think that managers should give feedback when they know you have had a terrible day, and give you pointers on how to make your day to day job more organized.

We have all experienced what it is like to have a bad manager...and I don't want to focus on that. What I want to hear from y'all is how a GOOD manager impacted your day to day life.

While this example does not stem from management experience, I learned a valuable lesson from a surgical tech long ago. I noticed that after a case, this tech would use negative body language and tone of voice. When I asked her what was wrong, she said "nothing." A few days later, I asked her pointedly, "What can I do to help make this case easier for you?" She immediately ticked off a few things that I could do. At first, my knee jerk reaction was "well why didn't you tell me this earlier?!?" and then I figured out that she was was hesitant to ASK for help and was waiting on me to ask her what I could do to help. This lesson was a valuable one for me, because I now know that I must ask clear and directed questions instead of "what's wrong".

So my question to all of you is what makes a manager effective in your eyes? What do you wish they would do more or less of? What do you value most about them?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Someone who:

1. is not afraid to work 'the floor' when short staffed

2. will stand up for his/her nurses when unfair accusations are made

3. will not walk away from you when you see him/her on the floor and ask for help, advice, etc. (yes, I've seen it happen)

4. will not make promises he/she cannot keep

5. comes in early and stays late (not everyday, but sometimes night shift appreciates being able to see their manager)

[Guest717236]

A good manager listens to his/her staff concerns and takes steps

to improve the concerns as appropriate.

A good manager is confident in their ability and is a resource person

to staff, encouraging individuals to grow in their practice.

A good manager leads by allowing the team to develop in their relationships.

A good manager expects a team of individuals to work in harmony together,

and stand independently in their practice.

A good manager is fair,no favorites.

[IHeartPeds87]

A good manager has confidence in his/her staff, and backs them up when unfair accusations are made. If a family member complains about something, bring it up to the nurse/aide in question and ASK them what their point of view is on the situation. Get all of the information before blaming the nurse or the aide!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Managers should know how to perform the jobs their staff performs. Not all managers are expected to come from the same position their staff is in, but once in the managerial role they should quickly learn the staff job as well as their own.

Managers must/shall be willing to work shoulder to shoulder with their staff to learn, teach, assist with, and improve upon the task at hand.

Managers should know how to communicate: listen, speak, read, and write. They should not be afraid to address individuals and groups and give compliments and kudos. Managers should not be intimidated about bringing individuals, and on the occasion as needed, groups before them to admonish and reprimand.

Managers should know how to counsel their staff members to help them perform a better job and function as the manager wants the staff member to in accordance with the organizational mission statement and goals.

Managers should be willing to defend and support their staff members before higher ranking leadership within an organization. Managers must be willing to admit fault rather than placing blame.

Managers must know the delicacies of delegating work tasks to enrich their staff members and improve efficiency rather than pawning off tasks to avoid work.

Managers must be open to criticism from above and below their office.

Managers must be insightful and be aware of what is taking place in their department rather than relying on tattlers, gossip, and assumptions.

I've only had one supervisor that exhibited all of the traits I listed above. Sadly, he was offered a better position and left the organization about three months after I was transferred to his watch. This man made the lowest paying job I've ever had the best, most fulfilling, and most enjoyable job I've ever had.

I've had others who have exhibited a few of the traits, and I've had one who exhibited exactly none of the traits I listed above. The latter made me literally disgusted to be in his presence. I even told him that.

[Poi Dog]

A good manager runs the floor by leading by example.

A good manager leads by integrity.

A good manager is not afraid to get his/her hands dirty.

A good manager follows through on his/her word.

A good manager treats staff with respect and in return, the staff reciprocate.

A good manager has a zero tolerance for bullying/gossip/malicious behavior.

A good manager will go to bat for staff.

A good manager is understanding should a family emergency arise.

A good manager has a calm exterior and that in turn is relayed to the staff.

A good manager treat staff like family with an agreement that yes, there will be spats but in the end, they will still be there.

Ah, one can only dream. I have not worked under a good manager yet.

[Start2]

What makes a good manager?

First, I have to say that I agree with what has already been stated by the other posters.

Second, I will say that I have had several managers I considered to be very good, some were excellent.. I have also had some very poor managers.

In addition to what everyone else posted, I like a manager who occasionally does check up on his/her people and what they are doing and the quality of their work, but does not hover.

I appreciate a manager who recognizes when a worker knows his/her job and that he/she is doing it and lets them do it.

Another quality I admire in a good manager is the ability to correct a person in private without making them feel inadequate or frustrated and without embarassment to the individual but giving encouragement and perhaps showing them a way to do it a different way that may be more efficient or productive. In order to do that, this manager has to know how to do the job better or how to delegate the task of helping this person with this process to someone who does know how to do the job better without putting the original person down.

A good manager should be able to join his/her group in many different types of activities; including breaks and/or lunches sometimes without the group feeling as if they are in a glass fishing bowl.

A good manager should be able to listen from outside a room and spot a potential problem between coworkers and step in quickly to difuse the situation.

A good manager should always be available to help if the workload is too heavy for the staff available.

I just started a new job last week and I have already seen many of these qualities in my new manager. Lucky me!

I wish everyone a good manager...

[felineRN]

(1) A good manager is one who can see the forest for the trees or see things in context:

So you didn't have a stellar night last night...A good manager would take note you had 7 pts, one care partner, and a repeat ams offender continually trying to get out of bed coupled with a handful of sicklers. (I.E. Cut me some slack.)

(2) A good manager will take feedback from employees. This isn't a dictatorship. If I have feedback that is constructive, well thought out, or pertinent *LISTEN*

(3) As mentioned by others, a good manager will help work a floor that is short or find adequate staffing if needed. A good manager will help start the tricky IV on the Ca pt with their only vein in the foot

(4) This is a personal pet peeve of mine. A good manager can smile and do some good talking when the "suits" are around, but knows when to cut the "bullsh*t" and won't recite to you mission statements etc when you are in need of help. Corporate values certainly have their place, but don't go on about teamwork and utilizing your charge nurse when I see you leaving for the night and you know your noc shift is struggling.

(5) FINALLY: Have sense of humor puhlease! Nursing is srs bsnz (serious business for the non inter-nerds), but even management should have a sense of humor to be sane!

Oh and one more thing:

Encourage education amongst your staff. Just because ACLS isnt required on our floor doesn't mean you should discourage staff from taking it b/c of the bottom line ($$).

[RN1980]

leads by example and responds to your needs and inquiry with the same speed and manners as he would the needs and wants of the hospital ceo.

[RNperdiem, RN]

A good manager hires quality staff.

I work with excellent nurses, enthusiastic CNAs and a strong secretarial staff. My manager has had good instincts in hiring and letting go.

[RN1980]

i have a decent manager at my full time job at a pretty good hospital to work at, i have a 2 great managers at my part-time and prn gigs but at sorry hospitals to work at....go figure?

[AggieNurse99, BSN, RN]

A good manager knows the staff = strengths along with weaknesses

A good manager knows how to use positive reinforcement effectively and often