Concerned for new grad in ICU supervisor role

Nurses General Nursing

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I am concerned for a friend who has accepted a hospital ICU supervisor position. This is a new grad with no nursing experience other than as a CNA for a year (not in the ICU). This is a small hospital, so my friend will be responsible for caring for those in the ICU as well as stabilizing for transport anyone who needs a higher level of care.

As an ICU nurse, I remember the first year of nursing well. I also started in the ICU (of a major metropolitan hospital) and loved it. However, I had great mentoring and a lot of support. I can't imagine transitioning from a new grad to ICU supervisor in a matter of weeks. I care a lot about my friend and want my friend to succeed. I have spoken to my friend about my concerns, but she does not appear to be at all worried. Obviously, there is nothing I can "do" but hope for the best and remain supportive of her, but I must say I am truly shocked that a facility would place a new grad in this position. I was ICU charge for years, and it is not easy. She is very competent FOR her level of experience, but I fear for the safety of her license and her patients.

I once knew of a new grad who graduated at the top of her class and was hired into a regular, everyday staff nurse position at the hospital. Guess what? She did not make her probationary period. Her coworkers saw to that. She had to get a job at a nursing home about 50 or 60 miles away and her downfall was talked about in all the nursing circles. And that was just a staff nurse job. I feel sorry for this person and would be surprised if she makes it for very long.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

I'm not understanding why new fresh out of school hospital personnel of any sort would want to take on a management/supervisory position. Especially a nurse...

That is crazy to me. She's a newbie. Why is she managing anything? Clinicals...it's experience. But it's not REAL experience. Newbies need to be given the chance to acclimate themselves to the dept. They should be eased into their basic duties before they take on larger responsibilities.

You gotta crawl before you can walk.

I'm sure that she's proud. It's something to be proud of. Definitely. But the hospital isn't like the boardroom.

She's 'head honcho'. In charge of lives, here.

Like the OP, I'd be worried that the duties would overwhelm her. More than that? I'd be worried about the sort of support she'd receive.

Some depts will take care of you.

Others, well...

They'll provide a few days of orientation but at the end of that period, like it or not, you're going to get thrown out on that floor. By yourself.

...and God help you if you ask questions or seek assistance.

>>with a furrowed brow

"They didn't teach you that...?" or "You don't know how to do that...?"

*heavy sigh*

THEN they'll go find your coworkers and talk about you. *laugh*

The doctors won't cut you any slack, either. So, either get competent or get some thick-skin and ready yourself for some booty-chewing and embarassment. *laugh*

It's not the norm but I will say that I've worked in too many hospitals where the 'Sink or Swim' mentality was in full force, to not be worried about what your friend is walking into. It's not about a lack of faith in her abilities.

I'm concerned that she's over-reaching. Past her present abilities. Setting herself up to fail.

But it's a small hospital, right?

So...maybe it won't be AS bad?

I'm hoping...

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Wow. I have been nursing for a while and have lots of acute care experience on Med/Surg. I am leaving a full time Tele charge nurse position to go to ICU tomorrow as a staff nurse. Even with my years behind me, I am nervous about the transition (but in a good way- nervous/excited).

I cannot imagine taking on the responsibility of being a supervisor without any experience! This girl is going to run into trouble. I only pray she comes out with her hard earned license intact without harming a patient.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Maybe your friend has lots of potential, and maybe she's got what it takes to be a super nurse. However, the "clinical eye" is developed through experience. She might really do well in that role-----but one thing is for sure, she will need a good mentor.

If you are the supervisor and in charge...you do the mentoring........if you are the mentor and doing the mentoring and do not know what you do not know you are not only teaching some one to be dangerous....you are dangerours and do not even know it. :eek:The most dangerous nurse is the nurse that does not know what she/he does not know, acts assuming that they know something, then they don't know how to intervene just because they JUST DO NOT KNOW and there is no one to ask. I still to this very day if I cannot hear someones blood pressure or the clinical picture just doesn't add up.....I am the first one to go to someone else who's judgement I trust and say......"Can you.....listen,check,hear.....? Two heads are always better than one. Funny how the nurses that are alarmed have experience and the ones with faith have none or aren't even nurses....yet......Trust me.....those of us who have been there KNOW......and this is a recipe for disaster.......LISTEN to the mentors on this site! In experience there is knowledge and listening is key to learning

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Well, the great news is, she told me she just read through the thread. She agrees that she needs to reconsider her options. She has already passed NCLEX but has not yet begun orientation to this new role. I have given her a contact for a great manager I know in intermediate care. I think this would be a better fit for her. I can only hope at this point. Will keep you all posted.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I'm not understanding why new fresh out of school hospital personnel of any sort would want to take on a management/supervisory position. Especially a nurse...

That is crazy to me. She's a newbie. Why is she managing anything? Clinicals...it's experience. But it's not REAL experience. Newbies need to be given the chance to acclimate themselves to the dept. They should be eased into their basic duties before they take on larger responsibilities.

You gotta crawl before you can walk.

I'm sure that she's proud. It's something to be proud of. Definitely. But the hospital isn't like the boardroom.

She's 'head honcho'. In charge of lives, here.

Like the OP, I'd be worried that the duties would overwhelm her. More than that? I'd be worried about the sort of support she'd receive.

Some depts will take care of you.

Others, well...

They'll provide a few days of orientation but at the end of that period, like it or not, you're going to get thrown out on that floor. By yourself.

...and God help you if you ask questions or seek assistance.

>>with a furrowed brow

"They didn't teach you that...?" or "You don't know how to do that...?"

*heavy sigh*

THEN they'll go find your coworkers and talk about you. *laugh*

The doctors won't cut you any slack, either. So, either get competent or get some thick-skin and ready yourself for some booty-chewing and embarassment. *laugh*

It's not the norm but I will say that I've worked in too many hospitals where the 'Sink or Swim' mentality was in full force, to not be worried about what your friend is walking into. It's not about a lack of faith in her abilities.

I'm concerned that she's over-reaching. Past her present abilities. Setting herself up to fail.

But it's a small hospital, right?

So...maybe it won't be AS bad?

I'm hoping...

It will be worse......limited resources no back up....my question remains....Why has no one else applied? What is wrong that a new Grad is the best choice? sounds fishy to me!!!!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.
i don't know your friend, but i have faith in her. continue to encourage her and give her positive advice. nobody knows what she capable of handling,not even you, so don't doubt her. obviously, they saw something in her that made them vow her a good candidate for the position... this is not the first time a hospital has put a new grad in his type of position and i doubt it will be the last!

:eek::eek:

for the love of all things nursing. faith will not save these patients from this dangerous situation and i'm tempted to start praying already. because a hospital might have done this, or always does, 1. doesn't make it safe. 2. doesn't mean any new grad should accept it. 3. i just could go on forever and the fact that i have to even say how crazy this is .... is crazy, poster you have no idea how experience rules the decisions icu nurses make on moment to moment issues:eek: please do not encourage this dangerous staffing.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Let's hope your friend was being dishonest.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Let's hope your friend was being dishonest.

Huh?

To the OP - you did good! One day your friend will be so grateful for your caring friendship.:yeah:

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