What makes a good head nurse??

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Charli Heard — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:13:15 GMT

I think our head nurse/nursing administrator has a pretty good balance. She is very much a member of the team and doesn't feel like one of the management except except when she needs to. She is very experienced and has worked at a variety of practices including a large referral practice but I have never felt that there's a question I cant ask her, or a topic we can't talk about. To my knowledge, this hasn't been an issue to far but if there was a problem with my work I get the impression she would think carefully about how she treated the matter and be extremely tactful with her approach to correcting it. Having heard some horror stories about head nurses I feel very lucky!

And the most important thing - you can never tell she's the head nurse on a night out!

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

hayleyw — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:46:54 GMT

someone who is friendly and approachable but also respected by both the nurses and the vets. Seems people are either one of two extremes a lot of the time.. too pally or too unapproachable! Also helps if they muck in with everyone else.. and someone with the qualification/experience to actually know what they're doing. Also someone who makes the whole team feel involved and isn't afraid to delegate.. Just my personal opinions!

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Vicky RVN — Wed, 04 May 2011 20:07:58 GMT

I would say if taking on a new job as HN to see how things work in the place before making changes, so that you can see what changes need making rather than just making them because that's how you're used to things being done. Otherwise peoples backs will be got up.

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Sal the 1st — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:02:01 GMT

if you do end up in a practice with a 'queen bee' and their little cliquey pals who have little respect for a new head nurse (and it is surprisingly common to get one person who feels they should have had the HN job by default and resents the new HN) get them to organise a team social event where everybody is taken into account. If they do it well loads of praise and let them know how much you value their effort and how strong a team you can be with them as your eyes and ears - and if they do their own thing and its business as usual then maybe suggest to them that they have yet to demonstrate to the bosses that they have the support of the whole team and maybe this was why they didnt get the HN job because they still need a bit of practice!

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Phrin Vernon RVN — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:36:35 GMT

I agree with Dippy

I've worked in practices before where HN was really pally with a select group..... said select group seemed to get away with murder, and the rest of us were pulled up over trivial things.

Be approachable yet demand respect. Don't let friendships show too much at work.

Be up to date on latest VN developments and news too if poss, but being approachable, and with the trust & respect of your staff is more important IMHO!

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Dippy — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:14:18 GMT

A good balance between being approachable and friendly but not so pally with particular favourites that others feel some get favoured or that they can't talk to you in confidence if necessary without it getting back to their mates in practice.I've also worked in some places where the head nurse has no respect from others and therefore it's like no one is really in charge when they need to be. It's a difficult balance but I've worked with several who seem to have got it just about right!

Re: What makes a good head nurse??

Kez S — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:26:16 GMT

In my last practice our head nurse was not approachable, undermining, abrupt and an all round cow! She made everybody feel uncomfortable and on edge when they were working with her, and she'd happily go out of her way to make you feel an inch tall.

I think it's really important to be able to communicate well with the head nurse, so you feel you can approach them with any problem without hesitation.