Managing your staff Is extremely important if you aim to progress in your field. However, some areas are more likely to need a stern ruling than others.
Imagine if people didn’t have themselves put together when life and death hung in the balance. Hospitals are examples of such, where subordinates need to listen to their supervisors to get things done.
Not only does insubordination set a negative impression, but it can also change the way some professionals practice.
Recruits tend to deviate from the norms and think that they know better than established professionals. Even though determination and self-confidence are admirable, it’s important to follow instructions when the time arises.
You need to have things sorted with your managers and supervisors in such fast-paced environments.
If you are a seasoned nursing practitioner and have a hard time getting through to the junior nurses, this article might be able to help you.
We will discuss several ways that you can get the newbies to take your seriously and follow the instructions you provide.
Read on till the end of the article to gain a fair idea of managing the fresh grads.
- Possess strong academic credentials
One of the major reasons nurses flex their opinions over others is that they think they are better educated. There is no denying that education gives you a sense of power and prestige; however, misusing it is a major no-no.
If you want the juniors to take you seriously, consider educating yourself further. With online education, studying and working has become easier than ever, and more and more people are opting for higher education degrees.
For this reason, online DNP programs are more accessible than ever, and most medical officers are taking advantage of them.
It will help you with the new hires, but it will also obviously strengthen your credentials and look great on your CV. You need a strong educative background to move forward in your career, so it can always come in handy.
- Lead through example
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your support staff is lead by example. It wouldn’t be wise to tell your newbies what to do and not follow what you preach.
If you tell the recruits to be on time, get in their scrubs and be on their feet while you don’t practice any of these, don’t expect the newbies to follow you.
Whichever sector you go into, you will need to practice what you preach. Leading isn’t just hauling orders around and expecting people to listen to you.
If you don’t sort yourself out first, you will have a hard time adjusting to the new crowd, and they might not give you the respect you are looking for.
- Practice empathy
If you are indifferent to your subordinate’s issues, you won’t stand a chance of getting through to them.
People respond well to others who treat them well. If you aren’t receptive to your staff’s needs and wants and refuse to take them seriously, you will have difficulty dealing with them shortly.
Talk to your juniors, make life easier for them. Remember that they are also new to the field and are trying to make their way in a new environment.
This is the first step in their professional’s journeys, so bear with them and make sure you make the process easier, not harder.
- Remind them about policy
No facility stands by and has recruits walk all over established nurses. Tenure and seniority mean something very important in the medical sector.
Policies are always in place to ensure misbehavior and foul play are avoided at all costs. No matter what the issue is, there is no room for discrimination, intimidation, or insubordination.
Reminding new nurses that a policy is in place for such behavior. Whether it’s a company or care facility, the standard protocol is harmonious operation throughout the facility.
If you have a serious issue with the recruits, consider reporting them to HR and withdrawing yourself from the entire equation.
- Teach and guide
Leading by example has an aspect of passiveness to it. However, if you actively show them around and teach them what to do, perhaps you can break through to them.
Helping them with the patients and guiding them around the facility will help you develop rapport, which will, in turn, encourage them to listen to you.
Having a mentor is different than having someone telling you what to do. The younger generation does not respond to authoritative assignments. Empathy, leadership, and general human decency go a long way in developing relationships inside and outside your place of work.
Conclusion
There we have it, a few tips to help break the ice with new nurses and get them to listen to you.
From gaining stronger education credentials to teaching and leading by example, we have discussed several things that you can consider to help adjust the newbies and help them along their journey.
If someone refuses to behave and acknowledge authority, there isn’t much you can do. These tips can help, but you can’t force someone to respect your position.
We hope that this article has been helpful to you and that you sort out critical issues in your workplace.
