BSN Nurse supervising MSN nurses

jrt4 · Jun 23, 2017

I had an MSN as an assistant nurse manager when my manager only had a BSN. It didn't bother me in the slightest nor should it bother these nurses. My response would be "there is the door". If this is going to be the tipping point for them leaving then there are other deeper issues.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2017

If the MSN nurses are in a position subordinate to yours, they can't "refuse to be supervised" by you. To do so is insubordination, which is a terminatable offense in most places. It has nothing to do with what degrees anyone holds.

Reminds me of a former coworker, who openly bragged about his BSN and MSN (both from prestigious universities). I thought to myself, "Yes, and I, with my ADN, am sitting here doing the same job for the same money."

jrt4 · Jun 30, 2017

An MSN will open more doors but it certainly doesn't make you a better nurse. Some of the most skilled RNs I have ever had the pleasure of working with had an ADN. I have worked with some extremely skills diploma grads as well. My opinion is BSN should be the entry level for nursing but there should be a grandfathering of those who are currently working.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2017

My mother was a graduate of a hospital program in Canada, and she was one of the best RNs I have ever seen. She was an ICU nurse and later a house supervisor.

jollygreenRN · Oct 7, 2017

Before I medically retired this past year I was the house sup for a 220 bed level 2 trauma center. I have an ADN. It can be done, but you have to give respect where respect is due, listen to those in with more experience than you, but also know when to use the leader hat properly and effectively.

Guest1030015 · Oct 14, 2017

Just putting this out there. I have a great BSN Nurse who would make a great supervisor however I have 3 MSN nurses who refuse to be supervised by a BSN nurse. They do not want to step up , nor do I really want them to anyway. Has any BSN supervised MSN or above or have any MSN been supervised by a BSN and how did this work?

It sounds like your nurses have an entitlement problem, and I wonder if is there a culture of lateral violence in your workplace. Honestly, I wouldn't so much as entertain conversations like that with my staff. What I would do is invite one or two team-minded nurses have a panel interview with candidate(s) who make it through first-round interviews. Give them a channel for input, not control.

Conversations with your nurses about who would/wouldn't be supported are not productive and undermine your leadership -- what those nurses are saying is they don't trust you to make the best decision for the unit, or what they are hearing from you is that you don't feel confident enough in your leadership role to make the decision. That's a slippery slope, and I would shut it down.

Most of my nurses have more education than I do, as I work in the VA and it's very common to have master's prepared nurses at the bedside. Although I'm in the process of getting my master's, it wasn't required for my management position. Technically, neither was the BSN. Leadership isn't about degrees or titles.

Plenty of managers are poor leaders (regardless of degree), and they don't usually last long. Are you a leader on your unit? Is your BSN nurse a leader? Will you support her if she is hired as a Supervisor? Will you tell the MSN nurses who "refuse" to be supervised by a BSN to either get on the boat or start swimming? These are some of the questions that you should be asking yourself.

elkpark · Oct 14, 2017

I work on a service on which several of us are advanced practice nurses, and our nurse manager is a BSN-prepared RN. She doesn't supervise us clinically, but she is our administrative boss. I've been in that situation in the past, as well. It hasn't been a problem.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Oct 17, 2017

I work on a service on which several of us are advanced practice nurses, and our nurse manager is a BSN-prepared RN. She doesn't supervise us clinically, but she is our administrative boss. I've been in that situation in the past, as well. It hasn't been a problem.

I am in a situation like that. As a DON, I compile the APNs' periodic evaluations and set their schedules, but I don't try to dictate how they practice. There has never been a conflict.