Congratulations on advancing your career! I got into management after being a bedside nurse for about a year. My first role was an assistant nurse manager and I had the privilege of working alongside the bedside nurses about 75% of my shifts while spending about 25% on other stuff...usually education or management related. I think this is a great first step for those who are interested in leadership. Don't let others discourage you because you only have 5 years of experience. Leadership is more than experience. I would take a 5 year RN who has great leadership qualities as a manager over a 25 year RN who does not. Experience certainly helps but I have managed units that I have had no experience in...its certainly easier if you do but its doable in today's environment of nursing management. I would caution you against taking a job as a manager because you feel you are "doing nothing" with your degree. You want to make sure you are entering an environment that is supportive of your growth. I have worked at magnet hospitals in the past who have groomed new leaders into great leaders. I currently work at an organization that does not do this and is hard on new leaders. Fortunately I have the experience as a leader that I can be successful but you don't want to get yourself into that situation as a new leader. Be sure to ask questions about how the organization supports new leaders. They already know you are green because they have your resume. No reason to try to make up for that in an interview. They chose to interview you!
jrt4
244 Posts
Congratulations on advancing your career! I got into management after being a bedside nurse for about a year. My first role was an assistant nurse manager and I had the privilege of working alongside the bedside nurses about 75% of my shifts while spending about 25% on other stuff...usually education or management related. I think this is a great first step for those who are interested in leadership. Don't let others discourage you because you only have 5 years of experience. Leadership is more than experience. I would take a 5 year RN who has great leadership qualities as a manager over a 25 year RN who does not. Experience certainly helps but I have managed units that I have had no experience in...its certainly easier if you do but its doable in today's environment of nursing management. I would caution you against taking a job as a manager because you feel you are "doing nothing" with your degree. You want to make sure you are entering an environment that is supportive of your growth. I have worked at magnet hospitals in the past who have groomed new leaders into great leaders. I currently work at an organization that does not do this and is hard on new leaders. Fortunately I have the experience as a leader that I can be successful but you don't want to get yourself into that situation as a new leader. Be sure to ask questions about how the organization supports new leaders. They already know you are green because they have your resume. No reason to try to make up for that in an interview. They chose to interview you!
Good luck!