Which one to choose

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I have two people who have interviewed for a nurse manager position.

One is an LPN and has worked as a staff nurse in my building for 5 years.

The other is an RN, has 5 years experience in long term care and has been a nurse manager for the past 2 years.

The unit is in disarray and will need a strong leader.

I'm torn between a good employee with no experience as a manager and a new person with lots of experience.

Any comments?

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I used to manage an assisted living and I had an LPN who eventually became the manager a year after I left the position. She was not an impartial manager as she was buddy buddy with some of the staff and this created problems and hard feelings along the way.

I don't know what your LPN is like and if she can do the job without letting friendships made get in the way of the job that needs to be done. It would be easier to have someone who knows the facility and the residents but like I mentioned it could bring more chaos to a unit already in disarray.

I think I would go with the New RN this way everyone will need to adjust and get used to the way a new manager will do the job. Plus she already has manager experience and could bring some new ideas to the table. A fresh new face could be what you need.

Just my 2 cents.

[Madras]

Agreed. I'm new to the LTC scene, but I was hired actually with no LTC experience over one of their PN's who had just graduated and became an RN. The DON was concerned that although she was a great nurse, she wouldn't be able to put on the "sup hat" when needed. I was a fresh face that nobody could get over on.

luckily they were able to find her a position in a sister facility.

[LouBean]

I would also hire the new nurse. I'm not a nurse yet, so I apologize in advance if my two cents is not wanted here, but I worked in retail management for some time.

At my last position at a large department store, I worked my way up from a lower area management position to a store manager -- and I can tell you it is incredibly difficult to be "boss lady" and write up the same people who threw you a baby shower. I really had a hard time with it.

Put enough thought into your decision so that you feel you've been thorough, then just relax. Everyone makes bad hiring decisions. It's the only way to learn and to eventually make (mostly) good ones!

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

i think the new nurse........

[chiandre]

Go with the RN. She has managerial experience and strong LTC experience.

[LTCRN4LIFE]

I agree with everyone here even though I was once that LPN and did that role and did fine. Now I am on the other side of the fence. It is the rare person that can treat the staff all fairly after they have worked that close with them.

Also your RNS have a broader scope of responsibility. Your LPN cant stage a wound..through what experience would you expect the RN's to follow..... how can she teach new hires regarding staging....she'd have to go ask the RN to do it..........can't assess....depending on the state there are some differences too.

I think I would have an issue with an LPN expecting me to follow her direction if I disagreed when I am held to a higher level of responsibility. I also would have an issue with an LPN disciplining me for something not in her scope of practice.

[caliotter3]

The new RN would most likely be the easier choice. She won't have the disadvantage of anyone trying to take advantage of the fact that she used to be just "one of the guys". Not saying that the LPN could not handle any of that, but just easier to avoid the possibility.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Thanks for all your opinions. After hearing through the grapevine about the new nurse from some of her current co-workers, she is not the one for my facility. When we called to get a reference, "do you drug test" was one of the first answers! Yikes.

[duskyjewel]

Eek, yeah that sounds like one to avoid.

[LTCRN4LIFE]

Keep looking.