What makes a great ER manager?

littleRNthatcould · Jul 22, 2008

Honestly, I've never worked for a "good ER manager" , but I have worked with a fabulous Clinical Nurse Specialist for the ER and based on what I've seen her do, I've got a few suggestions.

1. Be available. Our management teams carry a code and trauma beeper. If it goes off at 0300, she's calling, "Do you need help?" If we do, she's there. We rarely need her to come in but if we do, she's there.

2. Listen to your senior nurses. They've probably seen and lived through every change that upper management has thrown at them. They have some good ideas.

3. Practice accountablity for yourself and your nurses. Understand that you can only "re-educate" so many times before something has to be done.

4.Happy staff means Happy patients. No your ER nurses don't need hand ho

littleRNthatcould · Jul 22, 2008

sorry..hit return before I meant to....

"hand holding"...but they do need your support.

5. Avoid gossip and cliques at all cost

6. Remember you are only one person. Some nurses will expect you to fix everything for them and in that case, refer to #3.

Best of luck to you

northshore08 · Jul 22, 2008

My best, most loved manager had these qualifications:

1. He was organized. You always knew he had your back with paperwork. Sometimes you know when you drop off things with your manager that it will disappear and you will never see the results (like check reimbursements or licensing stuff) and be asking for it forever. His desk was almost completely cleaned off every night when he went home. Your papers/requests would not get lost!

2. He was there and showed his face in the department every workday (unless sickness or weekend/holiday, then you could call for anything, and he never made you feel like you were wasting his time or interrupting.)

3. Consistent good attitude, even when counseling someone...("how can we work on this together...) Always supportive of the staff, especially with complaints.

4. Helped out during busy times in the department, even if it meant missing an executive committee meeting, or coming in from home prn. He knew how our staffing was. He knew when we needed help.

5. He did the schedule. Because of #4, he was able to get others to come in and help with callouts when the nursing office "scheduling nurse" would just get answering machines.

6. And he knew when, like previously stated, that "reeducation" can only do so much.

It was a sad day when he moved on..... :crying2:

Hope this helps, and Good Luck!! :yeah:

dmkm2001 · Jul 23, 2008

Yes that helps! Thanks.

widi96 · Jul 23, 2008

Good Communication!! That is one thing our ER was seriously lacking. Would've helped tremendously.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2008

I want a manager that gives the staff some control over their schedule, not someone who appears to arrive at a schedule with different colored darts, and throws them at the blank schedule...OK, the magic dart scheduler says you have a 3p-3a shift on monday, off tues, back to 7a-7p on wed., off thurs, then 7p-7a on friday. Since nights friday don't count as a week end, we need you back at 0700 on Sunday.

I am not kidding! That was one of my weeks recently.

I want a manager who provides the department with adequate and safe staffing of RN's and support staff, adequate equipment so I can do my job, and then leave me alone to do my job, and don't micro manage.

I want a manager who will stop problems in the beginning and will not let them grow into mountains.

I want a manager who accomodates the staggered schedules of most ER staff by holding mandatory classes, meetings etc. at times where we can come to them. If I work mostly 3p-3a. then don't schedule all meetings at 0600 and 1800. If you must, then videotape them, or at least let us read and initial the minutes.

I want a manager who is as comfortable saying, "You guys are doing a great job" as well as, "here are some areas you can improve on.

Remember we are adults, even if sometimes it may not seem that way. Treat us with respect and you are likely to get it back. If you are condesending, play favorites and do not allow your staff to have some autonomy, you will likely see a huge turnover.

These are just my quick thoughts after a very busy 14 hour shift. So I may not seem terribly coherent. I am off to bed. Good luck, just don't forget who you are leading. I can be lead much easier than I can be "managed".

dmkm2001 · Jul 23, 2008

What does "good communication" mean?

Weekly updates? personal meetings? emails?

dmkm2001 · Jul 23, 2008

Been there and done that with ya.... I know where you are coming from.

Thanks for the input.

bill4745, RN · Jul 23, 2008

Say "thanks for a great job with the code/transfer/etc". once in a while.