Attention House Supervisors

[SDaisy79]

I would like some advice, tips, or any knowledge you wish to share about House Supervisor position?

BIG Question: How do you transition your relationships with the staff nurses that you know supervise?

My background:

I am relatively new to nursing, but not young. I have been a nurse for less than 5 years, currently obtaining my BSN, next MSN. My career goal is to become a director (maybe higher) one day. I discovered in my first year that while I really enjoy bedside nursing, it's not my life plan. I made it clear to my managers, charge nurses, whoever that I want to advance in nursing. I got the opportunity to be an interim clinical care coordinator, while she was out for 3 months (during busy season). I worked side-by-side with my manager and she taught me a lot. She has become my mentor. I made connections and tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could. Fast-forward a year, I was called by a director to apply for a seasonal manager position. Which I did and got the interview, but not the job. Took it as a learning experience and exposure to interview in the future. Most recently, I was asked by the director of house supervisors to join her team. I accepted the position and start my orientation next week. I am very excited bout this opportunity to advance my career, but it doesn't come without slight nerves. Probably due to the unknown...

I will add that I am almost 40 with a US Marine Corps background. I may not have years of clinical under my belt, but I bring other life experiences and leadership qualities to the table.

Thank you in advance!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's a bit difficult to provide specific advice because of the wide variation in House Superviser responsibilities. In some organizations, they are at a peer level with department managers, so they have fairly extensive authority... but in other places, they are sort of a house-wide charge nurse & have to obtain permission from managers before making decisions. Finding a great mentor - which it appears you already have - is the absolutely best way to proceed.

Making the move from staff to management in the same organization is tough, particularly since you now have to supervise people who used to be your peers. I think that maintaining equity will be the most important factor in your transition. ALWAYS apply the same rules to everyone, even when it may incite negative (I thought we were friends) consequences. Any time you relax the rules... even one time ... the information will spread like wildfire, and you'll be labeled as "playing favorites".

I would advise you to begin by creating very firm social boundaries with the people you supervise. It is unfair to them to try to maintain a pretense that nothing has changed. You'll be setting them up for a feeling of betrayal if you ever have to exercise any discipline or counseling. Seek out new friends among your new peers if necessary for personal support.

I'm not a big fan of social media at all, so I don't have any advice in that area.