I turned down a management job

2 As I posted here a month ago, our assistant manager passed away. Approx. a week ago, my nurse manager asked me if I wanted the position. I was flattered, but told him no. I like my current position and I like touching people. He told me I could work 2 days doing 12 hrs and then the other two days I would do management in 8 hr shifts. He thought I would jump on that, but why would I want to work 5 days a week and have that pressure? Since I have my ADN, I would have to get my BSN within a few years. I plan on doing so, but first have to get my husband healthier and graduate two kids from college.

I told him I would be more than happy to help him with paperwork by coming in on Friday for a few hours.

My husband supported me, but I have a feeling he thinks I'm nuts.

I really do think I have a good thing going. I work Tue-thur, 7-7:30. I do charge position, discharges and education. My boss treats me like his right hand man, and I spend a lot of time going to management meetings and being on several commitees, and help make decisions that influence the running of our floor, yet I don't have the bean counters putting a thumb on my head. I also won't have the pressure of returning to school right away with the above issues.

I'm pretty comfortable with my decision, but part of me feels as though I should be climbing the ladder.
"i really do think i have a good thing going. i work tue-thur, 7-7:30. i do charge position, discharges and education. my boss treats me like his right hand man, and i spend a lot of time going to management meetings and being on several commitees, and help make decisions that influence the running of our floor, yet i don't have the bean counters putting a thumb on my head. i don't have the pressure of returning to school right away with the above issues."i'd have done the same.

I like touching people.

My biggest mistake was taking a job in management. If you are happy, don't ruin a good thing.Honestly, my personal opinion. Nursing Management sucks.

Sounds like you made the best decision for you. Managment jobs can be very stressful, unless it suits your personality. However, you sound very competent and we can use some good nurses in management. I try to support my nurse managers because I would rather have an RN manager than a business degree manager.

" If the system ain't broke, don't fix it."

You are very clear on your wants and needs. Good for you for doing what's right for you right now.

Thanks everyone. I do feel good about where I'm sitting. My manager is disappointed though, but I think he can deal. As for touching people, yeah I keep it clean. I love to help do procedures, pass meds and start IV's. My manager has his masters, so he does have that nursing background, but he is so far removed he sometimes needs a reality check. I would really hate to become like that.

It sounds like you did what was right for you - and we all know the floor needs caring, competent nurses who actually enjoy it.

"Society's plan of attack is to create dissatisfaction, to convince us that we must be in a constant pursuit for something "out there" that is sure to bring us happiness. Contentment is possible when we stop striving for more " - Charles Swindoll. Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment - 1 Tim. 6:6

Why would you "have" to get a BSN when this position doesn't appear to require it? Not that it's a bad idea, but there are ADNs (myself included) who hold management positions and have a great deal of responsibility and influence in their companies.Of course, management isn't for everyone, and even for those of us who enjoy it, there are days (and weeks) when it totally sucks. If you don't want that, by all means don't do it......management is a hard, stressful, crazy job that sometimes saps the very life out of us and makes us yearn for a job whose major responsibilities include remembering to ask, "Didja want fries with that?"

Quote from mba2bsn"Society's plan of attack is to create dissatisfaction, to convince us that we must be in a constant pursuit for something "out there" that is sure to bring us happiness. Contentment is possible when we stop striving for more " - Charles Swindoll. Godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment - 1 Tim. 6:6

Quote from VivaLasViejasWhy would you "have" to get a BSN when this position doesn't appear to require it? Not that it's a bad idea, but there are ADNs (myself included) who hold management positions and have a great deal of responsibility and influence in their companies.