question about nurse managers / General Nursing / Nursing General / Forums / NurseCentral -

wow, thats some pretty big goals you have set out for yourself. to become a NUM you usually have to apply for the position and have an interview and go from there. You dont have to go through all the 'ranks' first but I would be very shocked if you got a NUM position so fresh out of uni. Every NUM i know has been a clinical nurse first and has many many years experience in a variety of settings, especially in the area they are the NUM for. For example, just say there was a job opening for a NUM in an ICU, and you went for that job with hardly any post grad experience let alone ICU experience, you would probably be laughed at! It also helps to have abit of experience as an acting NUM, which is what clinical nurses usually do when the NUM is on holidays etc.

im not saying its impossible, but remember you would be going up against other nurses for a NUM position who would have alot more experience, and generally experience is taken over having a masters degree.

what uni are studying at? every masters course ive looked at requires you to have at least 1 year full time clinical experience before even thinking about doing a masters.

if you really want to become a NUM it might be best to get some experience first and try for a level 2 or clinical nurse position first.

good luck with your studies & career!

Author	question about nurse managers
sas (offline) Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Posts: 1	Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:09 am I have just graduated as an RN, and im planning to do my masters in nursing management. I am wondering to become a NUM or nurse manager, do you need to work through the RN ranks years 1-8, or how does it work? Thanks in advance sas

ticklish (offline) Joined: Sep 2009 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 38	Oct 02, 2009, 02:42 pm wow, thats some pretty big goals you have set out for yourself. to become a NUM you usually have to apply for the position and have an interview and go from there. You dont have to go through all the 'ranks' first but I would be very shocked if you got a NUM position so fresh out of uni. Every NUM i know has been a clinical nurse first and has many many years experience in a variety of settings, especially in the area they are the NUM for. For example, just say there was a job opening for a NUM in an ICU, and you went for that job with hardly any post grad experience let alone ICU experience, you would probably be laughed at! It also helps to have abit of experience as an acting NUM, which is what clinical nurses usually do when the NUM is on holidays etc. im not saying its impossible, but remember you would be going up against other nurses for a NUM position who would have alot more experience, and generally experience is taken over having a masters degree. what uni are studying at? every masters course ive looked at requires you to have at least 1 year full time clinical experience before even thinking about doing a masters. if you really want to become a NUM it might be best to get some experience first and try for a level 2 or clinical nurse position first. good luck with your studies & career!

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