Adjusting to the role of supervisor

[algebra_demystified]

I'm uncomfortable in the role of supervisor in my current position. The med aid who works with me is extremely competent, I doubt she would even notice whether I was in the building. She's great. The CNAs though... I'm having trouble with them.

Many of the CNAs have been on the job for ten years or more at this facility, and they have a thing about wanting me to pass trays and change bed linens. Last night was one emergency after another and I just did not have time to change linens or put a patient on the throne. As it was I was there for an hour and a half over finishing up an admit and some other paperwork.

I understand that these CNAs want respect for the work they do, and I'm more than happy to give them the respect. My cap is off to them.

But.

One comes to the nurses' station and puts a tray down and says, This is for Mrs X in 208. I'm reading a chart to see whether another patient has COPD, etc. I'm not just sitting here doing nothing, I'm reading a chart and working on a patient case. Compounding the issue is that this particular CNA is outstanding and I would trust her patient assessment over any of the others. Also, I don't have a problem with passing trays or wiping butts. It's not first on my list, but I have no problem with doing it.

When I get caught up with my work I go to the med aid and see if she wants help. On the offhand chance she does, I help pass meds for half an hour or an hour. After she's caught up, I go to the CNAs and see if they need help. That comes up about once in a blue moon, though. Normally, I'm asking the more senior LPN for help to get my own work finished, much less helping the med aid and the CNAs.

I'm not really sure where to go with this. I didn't get into nursing to be a manager, I wanted to be the skilled hands-on labor.

In my next position (already got my offer letter) I'm going to be the charge nurse for a team of psych techs who have been on the job for years, I'm a buck lieutenant RN in this setting, so I'd like to spend a little time in my current position practicing for my next position.

Any suggestions?

[Straydandelion]

One comes to the nurses' station and puts a tray down and says, This is for Mrs X in 208

It seems to me you need to let her no in no uncertain terms you have other things to do also. In other words you are the boss. I know this is frowned upon in the hospital setting where all work as a team, but guess who will get the brunt if something goes wrong? You are on the firing line to make sure it all works smoothly and you will take most of the heat if it doesn't.

Assertive without domineering IMO is a sign of a good supervisor. You could have asked if she was telling you to pass that tray? You could also have told her you were busy now and she would need to pass the tray.

I would first start with a meeting with everyone letting them know your expectations, and getting feedback of theirs. That can set things off with the right attitude. Letting all know you DO have expectations, but will listen to theirs also.

Most managers and supervisors have a fairly lonely time of it sorry to say. Remember the saying you can't make everyone happy all the time. IMO a good manager/supervisor is one that knows how to compromise yet still makes sure things run smoothly.

http://www.career-coaching-central.com/what-makes-a-good-manager.html

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

Anytime there is a new nurse or supervisor, the CNAs will ALWAYS push to see how much they can get away with. It's challenging to be the new supervisor on the job. My advice is to stay quiet and just watch for a while to get the feel of how things work, how individuals work, and where your challenges are. Dont do what i did...when i started the job i'm still at (five years) I was the new supervisor for the evening shift. that shift hadnt had a supervisor in over a year. the administrator had told me "they are out of control and need to be reigned in". I went in there totally authorative and it was my way or the highway and i was always right. i started changing things immediately to how i felt things needed to be done. you know the type...that was me. BAD IDEA!!! I honestly had no idea how to be a good supervisor. I was a "shoot from the hip" type of person. Anyway....it's took me 5 years to learn how to be a good manager. Talk to them, get all sides of a story before you react, be fair and remember that your ultimate job is to make sure all the patients are taken care of. Sometimes you have to make decisions for the best of the patients and not the staff. Staff gets angry. Talk to them, be empathetic but firm. Sometimes I even ask them for their opinion on staffing matters. esp. the CNAs. i'll tell them "ok, we have this many patients and this many staff...how do yall want to break it up". A lot of being a manager is learning how to listen to people. Many times people just need to vent on you. when there's an issue that you can do nothing about (like staffing numbers), let them vent, be empathetic and give them a shoulder to lean on. you'll be suprised how just listening helps them. above all, be consistent. Dont react quickly...listen to everyone and then process what you've heard before you do whatever it is that needs done.

You don't have to explain anything to them about what you are doing, keep that in mind. It doesnt matter if you do anyway. CNAs especially are going to always say you are sitting on your butt doing nothing and they dont know why you cant help.

recently one of my nurses said something that i really liked and i plan to use it next time a CNA is fussing at me that a nurse wont help them. My nurse told me that she helps them as much as she can but what they dont understand is no matter what happens, when the shift is over they clock out and go home leaving the nurse sitting there sometimes hours after your shift ended to get her charting done because she had been working on the floor with the CNAs so much.

I've had the same thing happen to me. Sitting at the desk charting something that i needed to get done, calling the doctor...etc. I've had them bring a tray from the dining room for mr so and so. I just tell them "please take that to the room, i cdant leave the desk and thanks". remember...they are pushing you to see how much they can get away with.

always say please and thank you. one thing i dont do enough is to thank them at the end of the shift for the good work they did. that goes along way.

it takes time to be a good manager. go easy on yourself. I love my job now. i never could imagine me being happy in management but i love it now.

and as for patient care...believeyoume...you will do LOTS of patient care, lol. the good thing about the job is that you get to know all th patients too.

oh....if you are in LTC, go personally meet all the new patients and their families. you wouldnt believe how much that helps their first impression of you and the facility.

sorry didnt mean to type so much...i tend to talk way too much, lol

good luck!

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Exactly....Southerbee.

Maybe they just expect you to feed, etc because you were helping before? I would just make it clear that you will help when you can, but again...when they leave at 11p and you are still charting at 12am........

In alot of places there is room for hands on care. I've been in a few supervisor postiions where if I wanted to, I could stay at the desk the whole shift. I'm the type of person that likes the hands on too. I would help out a nurse when I had free time, pass a tray, offer to do a time consuming procedure, etc. Many ways to get involved.

[Price 2002]

Anytime there is a new nurse or supervisor, the CNAs will ALWAYS push to see how much they can get away with. It's challenging to be the new supervisor on the job. My advice is to stay quiet and just watch for a while to get the feel of how things work, how individuals work, and where your challenges are. Dont do what i did...when i started the job i'm still at (five years) I was the new supervisor for the evening shift. that shift hadnt had a supervisor in over a year. the administrator had told me "they are out of control and need to be reigned in". I went in there totally authorative and it was my way or the highway and i was always right. i started changing things immediately to how i felt things needed to be done. you know the type...that was me. BAD IDEA!!! I honestly had no idea how to be a good supervisor. I was a "shoot from the hip" type of person. Anyway....it's took me 5 years to learn how to be a good manager. Talk to them, get all sides of a story before you react, be fair and remember that your ultimate job is to make sure all the patients are taken care of. Sometimes you have to make decisions for the best of the patients and not the staff. Staff gets angry. Talk to them, be empathetic but firm. Sometimes I even ask them for their opinion on staffing matters. esp. the CNAs. i'll tell them "ok, we have this many patients and this many staff...how do yall want to break it up". A lot of being a manager is learning how to listen to people. Many times people just need to vent on you. when there's an issue that you can do nothing about (like staffing numbers), let them vent, be empathetic and give them a shoulder to lean on. you'll be suprised how just listening helps them. above all, be consistent. Dont react quickly...listen to everyone and then process what you've heard before you do whatever it is that needs done.

You don't have to explain anything to them about what you are doing, keep that in mind. It doesnt matter if you do anyway. CNAs especially are going to always say you are sitting on your butt doing nothing and they dont know why you cant help.

recently one of my nurses said something that i really liked and i plan to use it next time a CNA is fussing at me that a nurse wont help them. My nurse told me that she helps them as much as she can but what they dont understand is no matter what happens, when the shift is over they clock out and go home leaving the nurse sitting there sometimes hours after your shift ended to get her charting done because she had been working on the floor with the CNAs so much.

I've had the same thing happen to me. Sitting at the desk charting something that i needed to get done, calling the doctor...etc. I've had them bring a tray from the dining room for mr so and so. I just tell them "please take that to the room, i cdant leave the desk and thanks". remember...they are pushing you to see how much they can get away with.

always say please and thank you. one thing i dont do enough is to thank them at the end of the shift for the good work they did. that goes along way.

it takes time to be a good manager. go easy on yourself. I love my job now. i never could imagine me being happy in management but i love it now.

and as for patient care...believeyoume...you will do LOTS of patient care, lol. the good thing about the job is that you get to know all th patients too.

oh....if you are in LTC, go personally meet all the new patients and their families. you wouldnt believe how much that helps their first impression of you and the facility.

sorry didnt mean to type so much...i tend to talk way too much, lol

good luck!

Wonderful advise! I am going to use this...thank you so much!