Students Student Assist
Published Jan 11, 2013
I know this is probably a very silly question but I don't understand the differences between these two positions. I hear them used interchangeably and I don't know if they are the same thing or different. Or different based on what hospital you work at.
Does anyone know the difference between a nurse supervisor and a unit manager?
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 20,908 Posts
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usually.....in my experience.....a nursing supervisor is the off shift administrator that sees to the entire house (hospital) operations/staffing/issues. The Unit manager manages a particular area and sees to the day to day operations and budget of the area.
If this was a homework question...you're welcome........
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,115 Posts
All nurse managers supervise, but all supervisors do not do unit-level management.
They who used to be called "head nurses" with three-shift responsibility to run a floor are often called "nurse managers" now.
A supervisor may watch the house on off-shifts, or, in a big hospital, a part of it, or may be the middle-level management between the director of nursing and the floor management, overseeing and acting as resource for the nursing management on several floors on any shift.
Clear as mud?
ColdWaves
5 Posts
Thank you for your answers/help! No this wasn't a homework question but rather curiosity.
Like most things I've encountered in nursing school so far. Thanks for your help. :)
Medicine, nor nursing, is not an exact science.