Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Kelly Eyre — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 15:31:35 GMT

Thanks Dave!

Ive bee part of the nursing team for four years now, and have a few ideas to improve things. I've got plans of opening up a cat only clinic in my future so very ambitious and business minded, hopefully they will like my ideas!

If I don't get it, I'll ask for feedback and know where I need to gain experience for future roles. As I've always said, everything happens for a reason!

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Mark Hedberg — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 12:27:36 GMT

Maybe he doesn't know you're interested - why not ask him to consider you! :)

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Sal the 1st — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:49:31 GMT

I have been with my current practice a few years now - when my boss mentioned to me recently that he would in future be advertising for a head nurse to be really honest it has left me feeling really low (I am the only qualified). The fact that he was going to advertise obviously means that I am not what he is looking for. It also leaves me questioning my future loyalty.

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Dave Nicol — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 09:15:10 GMT

Dear Kelly,

Good for you for taking the initiative and throwing your hat in the ring. Your employer will be pleased to see this.

I can tell you from experience that I always promote internally when possible provided I have the person in scope has the potential to grow. It's such a huge part of good leadership to give everyone in a team the chance to grow and my best performing team members are those who have stepped up and taken on the challenge of a bigger game to play.

Now, assuming you get the support required (as the new role will demand leadership skills development on your own part) I hope you get a fair crack of the whip. Good luck.

Dave.

having the

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Steph Worsley — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 18:33:35 GMT

It is definitely a six of one and half a dozen of the other type situation....I became head nurse 18 months post qualification....however I had worked in practices for 6 years and since word go had dealt with debts/insurance/rotas etc as my first practice only had me as a permanent nurse for the first 6 months I was there.

I do think life experience as a nurse does count a LOT when becoming head nurse.

I would also make sure you go into the interview with new ideas not just "Oh I'd just keep everything the same" but also don't say that you'd change everything lol fine line to tread!!!

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Kelly Eyre — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:48:43 GMT

Thank you everybody for your replies! It's great to hear different opinions.

It's a small practice, with only 2 nurses and a VCA. The current Head Nurse became promoted after 1 and a half years of bein qualified, and I have always been asked for input with decisions she has made. So I have experience in that aspect.

Its a very relaxed, friendly place to work, so it depends what they are after I suppose! I'll go in to the interview confident with my ideas and thoughts and see what happens!

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Charmaloo88 — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:11:49 GMT

This is a tricky one...there are benefits to promoting internally as you have someone who already knows the team and how things work, but agree there are huge benefits to bringing in someone with a fresh point of view and with more experience.

It sounds like you have a relatively small team but I can tell you from experience being HN is not easy. I was employed after locuming at the practice for a while so knew everyone pretty well and I was 5 years qualified at the time. I lasted 4 months and the stress made me quite sick. Not to mention the fact I was tied to a desk most days and hardly nursing, wasting the skills I'd gained from years of doing what I really love. I've been offered multiple management and head nurse jobs since and turn them down as I don't think I'm management material really!

It's all very individual to your circumstances and it may seem unfair to you bringing in someone new but you still have a lot to learn despite being qualified, the first few years should still be exciting not wasted on paperwork!

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Ben Ogden — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 13:46:58 GMT

It's a good thing to bring someone new in. A new perspective on everything you do. It's amazing the amount of things a new experienced member of the team can bring.

The advantage of 'an outsider' coming in is that they can offer things to your practice in terms of day to day protocols, information and knowledge that the current roster may not have consider or know. For what it is, rota's, stock management etc are all easily picked up by someone with years under their belt.

Its leading people and motivating a team that requires real skill and having years of working in a Veterinary Team (or teams) is the best way to know what works and doesn't work. With that kind of experience, which cannot be taught as effectively as 'doing it' avoids the dangerous pitfalls inexperienced people get into of 'we have always done it this way' etc.

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

WelshyNurse — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 21:27:20 GMT

I do think it depends on the head nurse responsibilities at the practice. They have all been different in different practices I've worked in.

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Nick Shackleton — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:38:44 GMT

For me the qualities of a head nurse is one who has developed the skills of leadership through both formal courses as well as life experience through their career in veterinary nursing. I feel that with less than a year post qualification that maybe you lack the experience required for a more senior role within your practice. I think that you need at least five years if not more post qualification experience. Dealing with teams is not an easy task. Don't feel disheartened if you are not offered the role at your current practice. It takes time to gain the experience required to lead a team of nurses and other staff members. Look at courses you could undertake to help you develop the skills for future opportunities.

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

WelshyNurse — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:59:25 GMT

Ahh.

Every practice I've worked in promoted internally. Fingers crossed for you!

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

Kelly Eyre — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:55:31 GMT

Hello!

I did yes, the day the head nurse handed her notice in. I sent an email explaining my qualities etc and got a response to say that it was a great email and a certainly have some of the skills needed for the role. They then said that legally they have to advertise the role. (Part of IVC).

RE: Promote current nurse, or employ new Head Nurse?

WelshyNurse — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:29:28 GMT

Did they know you were interested before advertising the job?

I think it's always best to promote internally rather than advertising. It rewards hard work and sends a good message to the rest of the staff.