Young and new manager.

[laKrugRN]

Hello Everyone!!

I am hopeful to get some advice from my AN family. I have been offered a position as a nursing manager at a LTC facility. This is my first job as a nurse. I am excited, yet terrified. How this place works is there are RNs who oversee the LPNs and CNAs. I am worried that the fact that I am new and 23, I won't be taken seriously. Some of the employees are older than my parents. An LPN was present during my interview and she did not seem too happy to see me there.

Trust me, I am not the kind who thinks I am better than anyone else. However, if I am the manager, I want respect and teamwork. I show people kindness and respect, but will not be afraid to manage efficiently.

Any advice? Anyone ever been in this situation? As a manager, or as a person under a younger manager?

Thank you all!

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Hmmmm. If you weren't 23 and had healthcare experience, I would say if your heart is in it, go for it. However, I can see a lot of potential issues in your future if you were to take the job. For one, you have no nursing experience. I think that in order to be a good manager, you need to be in tune with the staff's needs. The best way to learn this is to actually have experience as a staff nurse, particularly in the specialty you will be managing. The other issue is your age. Now, I know that there are very mature 23 year olds who can hold down the fort, but you may be at a serious disadvantage when it comes to being taken seriously by the staff, especially from resentful LPNs.

[laKrugRN]

Thanks Lev for the advice! I definitely see where you are coming from! You basically are reading my mind! This has been my only job offer, so I would feel silly rejecting a potentially wonderful opportunity and be unemployed another 2 months. I am thinking I will just take a breath and go for it. I am praying all goes well.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I hope it works well for you!