Advice for newer RN to LTC supervisor position

[AddieRN]

Hi everyone! I'm new to LTC. I'm a newer RN less than a years experience. I graduated May 08 started on a cardiac unit, worked there for almost 4 months and realized it wasn't for me. I've been doing some nurse consultant work for a couple of group homes for DD/MR that I worked as a hab-tech for during nursing school. I also work as a nurse for home care (PCS). I was just offered a job in a LTC facility as an RN supervisor.

It's just a part-time position (every other weekend 7A-7P). I'm glad for that, because I kind of just want to get my feet wet. It has a 120 resident capacity. I'm supposed to be oriented to the floor as a staff nurse to get a feel for the floor, then trained as a supervisor. I'm kind of nervous yet excited about the position. I was wondering if any of you had any advice for a newer nurse starting out in this position. I would really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

[AddieRN]

Hey Addie congrats on the job and good luck.I wish i had your confidance.i am new with less than year and the hosp whrere i work is psy and the RN are charge,whew! the great thing is there are other RNs around me and a grat supportive staff.I constantly am asking I guess what are silly questions like,can you give tylenol afetr other psy meds I fel the most lost with pt and what to say to them.But again I have a great supprt staff.I know you will do well. .

I have to say, confidence is something I wish I had more of. I deal with not having enough confidence on a daily basis. It's faith that keeps me going, and a good support system at work. It sounds like you work in a very supportive environment. Never be scared to ask questions. I ask questions constantly. Psych is a great field to work in. It's always interesting. I do consulting for a couple of group homes. It's interesting evaluating how certain psych meds affect the client's behavior. I remember in my psych class it was all about those open-ended questions, that allowed the patient to talk freely. My passion is to one day do Hospice. I always want to keep my foot in the door of psych nursing as well. It took me until after nursing school to figure out what I wanted to do with my nursing career. Just stick in there! It sounds like you're on the right road .

[Moogie]

Sorry you guys who took my message the wrong way. I really didn't mean to come across as rude. I apologize if you felt offended, and I hope you will forgive me. I guess some of the negative responses just made me feel a little on the defensive side, and a little upset. I'm just a nurse, trying to get my foot in the door, just like everyone else.

Please understand that no one is trying to squelch your dreams or ambition. Some of us see ourselves in you and just want to help you avoid the mistakes we've made. It's very possible to mess up one's career and/or self-esteem by getting into a position for which one is not prepared and then getting terminated---or staying on and feeling like a failure all the time.

Wishing you the best,

[bsrn0523]

i really think that both the sdc and supervision positions are not appropriate for a new nurse. at the facility i work for, supervision is responsible for: staffing, running codes, troubleshooting equipment, supply issues, dealing with the state and family complaints, admissions and discharges, and most importantly: using good clinical judgement to realize when a pt. is going south on you.

staff development is a whole "nuther nut. when your facility gets a deficiency and the policies need to be corrected, guess who comes in on their weekend off/ cancels their vacation to do it? you. when every staff member in the facility on all three shifts has to be inserviced with a plan of correction/new policy, who formulates, drafts, prepares, and teaches it? you.

in my opinion, both of these positions require a large amount of experience, in years. please understand that i am not trying to tap dance on your dreams, but give you a little perspective from my experience, and perhaps save you a bit of stress and grief.

good luck to you no matter what path you choose.

jenn:nurse:

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

(2) Supervisor of Nurses: The supervisor of nurses shall be a registered nurse with at least

two years of nursing experience, one of which has been in a charge nurse capacity. The

supervisor of nurses shall be responsible for: the supervision of nursing care and nursing

personnel, the supervision and evaluation of staff assignments and performance, the

supervision of patient care, the application and evaluation of patient care plans and the

integration of nursing care with other professional services.

The above is copied from the Massachusetts DPH regs for LTC.

'nuff said?

[achot chavi]

(2) Supervisor of Nurses: The supervisor of nurses shall be a registered nurse with at least

two years of nursing experience, one of which has been in a charge nurse capacity. The

supervisor of nurses shall be responsible for: the supervision of nursing care and nursing

personnel, the supervision and evaluation of staff assignments and performance, the

supervision of patient care, the application and evaluation of patient care plans and the

integration of nursing care with other professional services.

The above is copied from the Massachusetts DPH regs for LTC.

'nuff said?

AHHHH but the Administrator doesn't care - these are the problems of the nurse not him, its cheaper and more convenient for him to get an inexperienced new RN who might not know when she is stepping in it....and if she falls on her face, what does he care, she is disposable to him- for the next patsy.

Those of us with a bit of experience know what is really going on here, but from what I understood from her post, the OP doesn't want to hear any more advice and will not read your important post...too bad!!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I have been a nurse for more than 25 years. I hope I never get to the point where I close my ears and my mind to advice from others.

[achot chavi]

I have been a nurse for more than 25 years. I hope I never get to the point where I close my ears and my mind to advice from others.

Yes, but arent we glad you opened your mouth, or computer keyboard in our cases, I have learned a lot from your posts and take this opportunity to say how much you are on the mark. Thank you

[NewestRN_OnTheBlock]

I wouldn't hire someone with so little experience as a supervisor. The supervisor needs to be able to think on her feet in any situation and how can you do that with 4 months of experience?

i was hired in an LTC to be a charge nurse.... but i'm also on the schedule as a supervisor for a few 7-3 shifts. i oriented with a supervisor for one 11-7 shift. but i'm pretty sure 7-3 will be crazier. i wish my workplace felt the same way you do about throwing new hires into the supervisor position so soon!

[nursenj]

Hello, I hope the experienced RN supervisors and new nurses are still on this thread as you all seem to be the type I want to hear from. I read through all that you wrote and understand where you are coming from. The job responsibilities of an RN supervisor are many. Here is an issue I'd like to talk about. How would you handle being told by management that it is legal and acceptable to have a Part time RN (only RN) supervising a full time home health department (non-skilled) ? 600 patients, 1 full time LPN, 2 Part time LPNs and 50 aides and homemakers. The staff are very professional and wonderful to work with however how do you get through to management that even though the full time LPN is experienced and professional she cannot "fill in" as an RN supervisor just because the facility doesn't want to pay the RN full time when they think they don't have to ? Any legal avenues or documentation you would use ? Leaving the job isn't an option. THANKS.

[deleern]

I started in LTC as a NAR, first to see if I would like nursing, then because I loved it. I worked for a year as a NAR and then 2 years as an LPN. as I was nearing the end of my RN program they started Oreintating me as a Charge nurse and care manager. I was also 48 years old. I was Offered the DON position ....(this spring) that I did not feel ready for.

I Never have a personal relationship with the staff. every thing on a very perfessional level

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i cant tell you how many times we had a new rn come in to be supervisor and left crying...for one she did not respect the lvn's big big mistake...to the op make sure you don't trample toes..chances are your lvn's have been taking care of these people for a long time and have much exp in ltc....next realize that the hospital and ltc are two completely different animals...i think it is a good idea to be orientated to the floor first cause chances are you will be working it...if you have a call in or someone has to go home..your it..for me personally it is not a good idea to hire a rn that has no experience but then to hire one with no ltc exp is a bigger no no...just my opinion...good luck to you

[TnNurseMan]

I'm kind of in the same situation. I've been in psych for the past 2 years so in a way I consider myself a new nurse and I just got hired on as a night shift house supervisor for a LTC facility. I was very surprised to have been hired because I am 25 with just a little bit of supervisor experience from my previous job where I filled in when my supervisor was on vacation or scheduled off. Being in psych has made me forget many skills that I had learned, but I'm not too worried about the skills. My biggest concern is getting the respect of my co-workers. As the young supervisor coming in I'm sure people are thinking what in the world...he's over me? I have no doubt that I can do my job well once I get used to the new atmosphere and learn everyones duties and the operations of the facility. It will take time and I hope my new co-workers are willing to help me along the way.