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What Every New Manager Needs to Know: Making a Successful Transition to Management
REVIEWS
A guide for new managers; health care study skills; a research guide for clinicians What Every New Manager Needs to Know: Making a Successful Transition to Management Gerard H. (Gus) Gaynor 2004, 256 pages $17.95 softcover How many of us have launched into the role of manager only to quickly discover that there is much more to the position than meets the eye? On the surface, we see a number of compelling reasons to seek out and accept a management position. The managers we have worked for helped form our impressions of what a manager is and what a manager does. This perception, however, does not really paint a clear picture of what to expect or the things we must learn in order to achieve success as managers. This well-written book takes a straightforward look at the transition that takes place when a person moves into a management role. The new manager must learn to manage individual and team relationships and then use those skills to begin managing projects. While he or she is developing these abilities, the manager also must keep moving the organization forward through creative thinking and by acquiring the knowledge and skills to be successful. This book leads readers through identifying and developing a leadership philosophy as well as implementing a management approach. Chapters one through four discuss the skills a person requires and the lessons he or she needs to learn to become a good manager. From recognizing the various hats a © AORN, Inc, 2007
manager wears to learning about building and managing team relationships, the author presents excellent information regarding human behavior that readers can use when incorporating these skills into a leadership style. In chapter five, readers learn to apply the principles presented in the previous chapters to project management strategies. Using a multidisciplinary approach, new managers can begin to focus on managing the required activities. By acquiring the skill to work across cultures, managers can be open to varying customs and protocols without being overly constrained. The next challenge new managers face is learning how to manage time effectively. Chapter six explores ways to eliminate “time wasters.” Learning to control the “monkeys” in their lives along with developing ways to identify sources of lost time helps managers maintain a focus on tasks that need to be completed. The common thread that is crucial to gaining these important skills is the ability to communicate effectively. In chapter seven, the author provides helpful tools for handling communication and feedback. The final chapters focus on the skills managers need to determine their success and career choices. Tools to help managers develop creative thinking, measure success, and assess their career paths are outlined. This book prompts readers who are considering a move to management to ask themselves whether they have the understanding of what it takes to secure a management role, the desire to demonstrate the personal dedication that a management position requires, and the energy to function in a APRIL 2007, VOL 85, NO 4 • AORN JOURNAL • 831
Reviews
APRIL 2007, VOL 85, NO 4
constantly changing environment. With this book, readers gain insight into the five components of management competence: knowledge, skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, and experience. The author has provided a valuable resource to help readers decide whether to face the challenges of embarking on a management career path. I found this book very useful in identifying and teaching the skills that are needed to become a manager. It is a very helpful resource for new managers. The book is available from AMACOM, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. REBECCA J. DAVIS RN, MN, CNOR INSTITUTIONAL NURSE CONSULTANT SURVEYOR WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TUMWATER, WASH
Foundations in Nursing and Health Care: Study Skills in Health Care Jayne Taylor 2003, 132 pages £12 softcover This book is written for students studying for or embarking on a career in health care. Even as a person who has been in the nursing profession for a number of years,
however, I also found the book useful to my practice. Topics that are covered include evaluating and undertaking research; writing and referencing essays and reports; and preparing projects, seminars, and presentations. Such subjects are relevant not only to students, but also to established health care workers who must write articles for publication or prepare presentations for staff members. In addition, health care providers must stay current and use evidencebased practice, so many of the chapters would be useful for experienced practitioners as well as novices. The chapters are written in lecture format, with learning outcomes at the beginning and a rapid recap at the end. Throughout each chapter, questions are posed to the reader, making the material interactive. Each chapter can be used independently when the topic applies to the reader’s specific situation. Many of the principles relate to everyday life. For example, the SQ3R system (ie, survey, question, read, recall, review) for effective reading can be used to stay abreast of professional reading. Although the author is an educator in London and the grammar and many of the references are British, the principles still apply to health care study skills in the United
States. I shared chapter one, “Organizing yourself to study,” with my first-quarter nursing students. In this chapter, Maslow’s Hierarchy was illustrated in reference to meeting basic needs before pursuing intellectual interests. It was a valuable tool for those students who found themselves struggling to manage children, jobs, and the added burden of studying for the course. This book is available from Nelson Thornes Ltd, Delta Place, 27 Bath Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7TH, United Kingdom. LATANYA DAVIDSON-WILSON RN, MSN, CNS, CNOR COORDINATOR, RCH NURSING PARTNERSHIP RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL RIVERSIDE, CALIF
Clinical Research in Practice: A Guide for the Bedside Scientist Janet Houser and Joanna Bokovoy 2006, 277 pages $42.95 softcover This book presents a clear, concise review of research concepts for the bedside clinician. The authors begin with an overview of research concepts and continue with a systematic approach to finding, understanding, and designing AORN JOURNAL •
833
A guide for new managers; health care study skills; a research guide for clinicians What Every New Manager Needs to Know: Making a Successful Transition to Management Gerard H. (Gus) Gaynor 2004, 256 pages $17.95 softcover How many of us have launched into the role of manager only to quickly discover that there is much more to the position than meets the eye? On the surface, we see a number of compelling reasons to seek out and accept a management position. The managers we have worked for helped form our impressions of what a manager is and what a manager does. This perception, however, does not really paint a clear picture of what to expect or the things we must learn in order to achieve success as managers. This well-written book takes a straightforward look at the transition that takes place when a person moves into a management role. The new manager must learn to manage individual and team relationships and then use those skills to begin managing projects. While he or she is developing these abilities, the manager also must keep moving the organization forward through creative thinking and by acquiring the knowledge and skills to be successful. This book leads readers through identifying and developing a leadership philosophy as well as implementing a management approach. Chapters one through four discuss the skills a person requires and the lessons he or she needs to learn to become a good manager. From recognizing the various hats a © AORN, Inc, 2007
manager wears to learning about building and managing team relationships, the author presents excellent information regarding human behavior that readers can use when incorporating these skills into a leadership style. In chapter five, readers learn to apply the principles presented in the previous chapters to project management strategies. Using a multidisciplinary approach, new managers can begin to focus on managing the required activities. By acquiring the skill to work across cultures, managers can be open to varying customs and protocols without being overly constrained. The next challenge new managers face is learning how to manage time effectively. Chapter six explores ways to eliminate “time wasters.” Learning to control the “monkeys” in their lives along with developing ways to identify sources of lost time helps managers maintain a focus on tasks that need to be completed. The common thread that is crucial to gaining these important skills is the ability to communicate effectively. In chapter seven, the author provides helpful tools for handling communication and feedback. The final chapters focus on the skills managers need to determine their success and career choices. Tools to help managers develop creative thinking, measure success, and assess their career paths are outlined. This book prompts readers who are considering a move to management to ask themselves whether they have the understanding of what it takes to secure a management role, the desire to demonstrate the personal dedication that a management position requires, and the energy to function in a APRIL 2007, VOL 85, NO 4 • AORN JOURNAL • 831
Reviews
APRIL 2007, VOL 85, NO 4
constantly changing environment. With this book, readers gain insight into the five components of management competence: knowledge, skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, and experience. The author has provided a valuable resource to help readers decide whether to face the challenges of embarking on a management career path. I found this book very useful in identifying and teaching the skills that are needed to become a manager. It is a very helpful resource for new managers. The book is available from AMACOM, 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. REBECCA J. DAVIS RN, MN, CNOR INSTITUTIONAL NURSE CONSULTANT SURVEYOR WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TUMWATER, WASH
Foundations in Nursing and Health Care: Study Skills in Health Care Jayne Taylor 2003, 132 pages £12 softcover This book is written for students studying for or embarking on a career in health care. Even as a person who has been in the nursing profession for a number of years,
however, I also found the book useful to my practice. Topics that are covered include evaluating and undertaking research; writing and referencing essays and reports; and preparing projects, seminars, and presentations. Such subjects are relevant not only to students, but also to established health care workers who must write articles for publication or prepare presentations for staff members. In addition, health care providers must stay current and use evidencebased practice, so many of the chapters would be useful for experienced practitioners as well as novices. The chapters are written in lecture format, with learning outcomes at the beginning and a rapid recap at the end. Throughout each chapter, questions are posed to the reader, making the material interactive. Each chapter can be used independently when the topic applies to the reader’s specific situation. Many of the principles relate to everyday life. For example, the SQ3R system (ie, survey, question, read, recall, review) for effective reading can be used to stay abreast of professional reading. Although the author is an educator in London and the grammar and many of the references are British, the principles still apply to health care study skills in the United
States. I shared chapter one, “Organizing yourself to study,” with my first-quarter nursing students. In this chapter, Maslow’s Hierarchy was illustrated in reference to meeting basic needs before pursuing intellectual interests. It was a valuable tool for those students who found themselves struggling to manage children, jobs, and the added burden of studying for the course. This book is available from Nelson Thornes Ltd, Delta Place, 27 Bath Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7TH, United Kingdom. LATANYA DAVIDSON-WILSON RN, MSN, CNS, CNOR COORDINATOR, RCH NURSING PARTNERSHIP RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL RIVERSIDE, CALIF
Clinical Research in Practice: A Guide for the Bedside Scientist Janet Houser and Joanna Bokovoy 2006, 277 pages $42.95 softcover This book presents a clear, concise review of research concepts for the bedside clinician. The authors begin with an overview of research concepts and continue with a systematic approach to finding, understanding, and designing AORN JOURNAL •
833