new grad RN in LTC- overwhelmed!

I don't think it is wise to put a brand new nurse in charge of a whole building of nurses. I believe that is asking for trouble. You should work in a nursing home as a floor nurse for awhile. Even with years of experience in the nursing home setting, I sometimes feel (as an RN supervisor) like some situations are over my head. Also, it doesn't take long for the wheels to fall off when things start going wrong. I believe this job will overwhelm you and I'm afraid you will burn out quickly.

I think any nurse that's going to be a supervisor at a SNF should have, at minimum, enough experience that their assessment skills are excellent. This is vital to the job. I honestly think an RN supervisor in SNF should have at least a year or two of acute care experience, if not more.

You will be the person everyone will go to with any problems, from a patient going bad, to a natural disaster or maintenance issue, to staffing problems (people not showing up, CNAs fighting, charges of abuse or neglect, etc.). You are expected to be that resource person that has the answer for the problems everyone else can't figure out or deal with on their own. It takes a certain amount of experience and confidence to be able to handle all the situations that might come up.

I'm also automatically suspcious of any facility that would hire a brand new grad as a supervisor.

When I was an RN supervisor in a nursing home, I was not "supposed" to have a pt load, but because of constant LPN and med tech call ins, I had a full pt load daily, plus all my supervisor duties and paperwork.
I'd get pulled to the floor every day- then at the end of the month, admin would b*tch me out because I hadn't gotten the monthly summaries done.

1) yup normal load, two nocs ago i worked a ~160 bed building noc shift and i was supp and a wing.
2) i agree i would be suspicious of a place that would hire a new grad for this
3) but, since you are in it, and you are not (i would think, at your age) without other work experience, you may
make it work....
4) i see a potential problem with your lack of polish in assessment skills....any ceu's that come up in the near fu-
you should grab.
5) good luck

I would never hire a new nurse for a supervisor position. I wouldn't hire a nurse with only hospital experience to be a supervisor in my facility. They don't have a clue about LTC and I wouldn't want to put a new nurse in that situation. We all felt overwhelmed when we were new. It's natural. But, you cannot be a supervisor as a new nurse. End of story.

Is there no DON because he/she left and they haven't been replaced in a month? That seems like such a long time to be without a DON. Who is responsible for what goes on with nursing? I hope they don't have you as just the warm body to point a finger at and say "there's our RN" just to be up to code/standard.

I give you my best wishes

lpns are licensed too so their license is also on the line. Any way I can kind of relate. I'm a new grad lpn charge nurse and the only nurse in the building so it can be overwhelming.

I dont think mochafrappe meant to imply that LPN's arent licensed and dont care about their licenses, but she as well as you are in a position for being blamed for a problem that you might not have known about or be responsible for.

BTW, I am not a big fan of being a new LPN and ONLY nurse in the building. You still have tons to learn and would do better in a facility where you can find a mentor and learn from others,
I understand it is hard to find jobs today, and I know administrators LOVE finding new LPN's to take on positions they may not be ready for, (cheaper for them etc) SO PLEASE be careful.
I am writing this with the best of intentions and caring for you. Feel free to post any and all problems for discussions and search topics through allnurses for great advice from those who have been nurses for longer and gone through all that you are now going through. Learn from others mistakes and advice!

no need to argue,my friend mochafrap is in tenessee now working in an acute hospital.hehehe!!!