Conflicted New Grad RN Supervisor

Nurses New Nurse

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I am a new grad RN and I have been orienting as a supervisor for the past 8 weeks at a nursing home. I hear the advice again and again, "don't let them make you a supervisor when you're a new grad." But this is the only job that has called me back and when it comes to nursing homes it seems like you have to be a supervisor if you're an RN. My superiors are pretty supportive of me and are allowing me as much time as I need to orient but they are short staffed and I can tell they are hoping I'll come off orientation soon.

The job is not perfect. I am already jaded but I feel desperate for some experience.I would like to find a job somewhere else but would feel bad leaving them after they already invested so much time into me and would feel just bad about myself for not making it work...But how bad will I feel if I still can't succeed as a supervisor due to my lack of experience?

My question is this, do I leave the job now and try to pursue something better fit for a new grad? Or do I stay and try to do my best? And, can anyone who has been in this position share some insight?

Thanks!

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Keep searching for a better job.

Don't quit until you have a new job lined up -- unless you absolutely have to. Long term, you don't won't to work for someone stupid enough to put a new grad in that position.

When you find another job and quit, be honest but "nice" as you leave. Tell them that the supervisor was beyond what you could handle safely as a new grad. Thank them for the opportunity to try.

Atl-Murse

474 Posts

Stay for the limited experience and the bill paying power of that check .

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traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

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I've worked in LTCs I hated as well as those I've loved.

In either case, I was told by colleagues and sups that I'd get stuck if I stayed.

This info made little difference to me: if I hate the job I left, and if I loved it, I stayed.

The factors that led me to stay or leave were (not in order) 1: how I was treated by colleagues in a similar position 2: how I was treated by colleagues in general (from consulting nurses outside to MDs to in house admin to techs/aides) 3: whether I felt I was provided with safe policies, procedures and info to do my job ethically and competently.

I think you should stay at your job while simultaneously looking for another.

We were told the same 10 years ago. I left the hospital after being a nurse intern to graduate Rn to take a position like you are in. I was there 4 years before they restructured the facility and cut our wages to hire newer rns that were accepting low scale wages because of difficulty finding jobs. Since then I have been in various nursing positions. I say learn the job you are in and prove that you can manage it. of course if you aren't paid adequately or don't like the job, move on!

Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

If that place is not suiting you well, there is no reason to stay. But if possible, get your 1 year first before leaving unless you get a job offer already then it doesn't hurt to get up and go.

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