Difference between Nurse Supervisor and Unit Manager?

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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

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

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...;).....:roflmao:

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.

ColdWaves

5 Posts

Clear as mud?

Like most things I've encountered in nursing school so far. :banghead: Thanks for your help. :)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Medicine, nor nursing, is not an exact science.

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