new rn supervisor

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

I have started a job as a rn supervisor. I am a new grad and totally lost. My orientation was 2 days with lpn's that had attitudes toward rn's. The facility is going through management changes and a new ownership. The procedures that I have to do are foreign to me, like a pt. is on tpn and we mix medications. I have never done this before and the dayshift rn said mix according to 1 liter but there is 1.6 liters. The lpn's borrow medications from a pt. for another pt. Is this not illegal? They do this with narcotics also. There was a pt with chest pain, full code, dr says send but pt doesn't want to. Pt gets on the ems stretcher and later the hopital er nurse called and said we kidnapped him. What is she talking about? I feel like I am being set up to fail. I have a little hospital expierance but ltc is so confusing. Any advice?

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Our pharmacy only delivers twice a week. I don't "borrow" meds. I chart that the med is not available. It's not always the nurse who is at fault when a med is missing, sometimes the pharmacy doesn't fill it for whatever reason. Sometimes it is on order. If I "borrow" from Peter for Paul, then Peter will run out too soon. I've asked why we use the pharmacy we do and found out she is a good friend of our facility owners. Go figure.

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:nurse:

I agree with the other folks - get out quickly. And yes, I'd have to agree with CapeCodMermaid - you need more of an experience base in LTC to be an effective supervisor. The fact that they hired you as a new grad makes me think that they're desperate; you don't need to work in a facility that thinks they have to grab a nurse just for her title and not her experience base. You worked too hard and too long for that precious license to have it devalued in that way by an employer. Good luck!

I agree you are too new to work as a supervisor. You have to be able to handle anything that comes up and that can only be learned through experience. I am a supervisor in LTC. I have been a LPN for almost 19 years and took this job 2 yrs. ago. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.
It's perfectly legal to borrow meds from 1 patient and give them to another in LTCFs.

The poster also asked about borrowing narcs. Isn't that against federal law?

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

To the original poster: Do you not have contigency boxes? If you do, then the nurses are being plain lazy. Of course they wouldn't have to use the boxes as much if they actually ordered their meds in advance. I agree with the other posters....get out now. Part of being a nurse is to only accept assignments that you are compentent in and right now I think that this role is a little too big for you. Best wishes and good luck!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
The poster also asked about borrowing narcs. Isn't that against federal law?

I believe it is against the federal law to borrow narcs. That is why we all should have Ekits. That said, if I really needed a medication and had none in the Ekit, I would first ask the doc to change the order to something I did have until the other medication could be delivered and then would have the pharmacy send it stat. If that failed then I would probably take the chance and borrow from another patient so the resident wouldn't suffer.

One of the issues with borrowing other medications is insurance. They will only send a 30 day supply and we can't re-order early. So if I borrow from patient X to give to patient Y, then patient X will run out too soon.

The answer is for the med nurse to reorder on a timely basis and for the pharmacy to deliver on time (yes ...I can see the eye rolling now...easier said than done.)

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Specializes in a variety.

Hi ellexias,

Curious as to what the starting pay was as RN supervisor?

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Specializes in a variety.

Hello DON's and RN supervisors,

Inquiring what is a decent salary or pay rate for takng these positions? Please be honest with your job responses?

I really appreciate it,

Praise.

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I am a night shift supervisor in LTC. I only make $1 per hr. over the rest of the nursing staff.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

Our house supervisors do not get paid any extra. They used to get a $2.00 differential but not any more. You just get to deal with the headaches and have a really stressful shift all for the same price as me. Which by the way I get headaches and have stressful shifts. LOL.

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Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.

it is illegal to borrow narcotics....that is a big NO, NO :nono: I would treat any meds in this manner and not engage in this habit....if its unavailable follow up with pharmacy...always practice safety~

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You're a new grad and I'm sorry to tell you, but they are taking advantage of you. I too second the "get outta there" sentiment.

yeah, I agree. You are a new nurse. I was a nurse 18 yrs. before I took position as supervisor. Maybe the attitude from the LPN's is due to your lack of experience. For your safety and peace of mind, get out and get some experience under your belt first.:bugeyes::heartbeat:nurse:

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Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

All the attitudes about long term care I hear on here from nurses as well as places I have worked long term care the attitudes suck all the way around and if I was her I would run. There are decent LTC jobs I guess but I have never had one.. Its hard back breaking work, over indulged residents that are never pleased. That girl will quit nursing if she keeps getting positions like that and attitudes from us on here. That get the newbie attitude is about what makes me want to go work as a highway flagger and run the chance of getting run over... :madface:

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