Sung Lee completed her 2-year associate degree in nursing right after high school. Upon graduation, she was off ered a staff position at the Harbordale nursing home and rehabilitation center where she had volunteered during high school. Most of her classmates accepted positions in local hospitals, but Sung Lee felt comfortable at Harbordale and had loved her volunteer work there. She thought it would be an advantage to already know many of the staff at Harbordale.

Th e director of nursing thought it would be best to place Sung Lee on a short-term unit. Most of the patients in the unit were recently discharged from the hospital and still recovering from an acute event such as stroke, injury, or extensive surgery. Sung Lee found her assignment challenging but satisfying. She admired her nurse manager, an experienced clinical nurse leader who became her mentor.

Six months later, the director of nursing called Sung Lee into her offi ce. “Sung Lee,” she said,

“we are very pleased with your work. You have been a quick learner and very caring nurse. Your colleagues, patients, and physicians all speak well of you.”

“Th ank you,” replied Sung Lee. “I know there ’ s still a lot for me to learn, but I really love my work here.”

“You may not be aware of this,” continued the director of nursing, “but your nurse manager will be retiring next month. Our policy at Harbordale is to promote from within whenever possible, and I ’ d like to off er you her position. It ’ s a little soon after graduation, but I ’ m sure you can handle it.”

Sung Lee gasped. “I ’ m honored that you would consider me for this position. May I have a few days to think it over?”

1. Why did the director of nursing at Harbordale off er the nurse manager position to Sung Lee?
If you had been in the director ’ s position, would you have selected Sung Lee for the nurse manager position? Why or why not?
2. If Sung Lee does accept the nurse manager position, how do you think her fi rst month would be? Write a scenario that describes her fi rst month as a nurse manager.
3. If Sung Lee declines this off er, how do you think the director of nursing will respond?
4. Write a list of typical nurse manager roles and responsibilities. For each one, indicate how prepared you are right now to assume each role or responsibility and what you would need to prepare yourself to assume this responsibility.