How to be a good supervisor?

Sour Lemon · Oct 4, 2017

Hi everyone! I am a newly licensed VN and just received my first job at an assisted living facility. My job as an lvn requires me to oversee/delegate the tasks of caregivers/CNAs and med techs. I haven't been in a supervisory role, and I'm very nervous. I don't want to be taken advantage of, hated -- I want to make sure I'm respected by my peers. These guys are my helpers and they have the power to make my life absolute hell. If you are a current LVN/RN how did you handle this? If you are someone who works under an LVN/RN, what are your best suggestions for being a good boss? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

I'd say be fair and not too worried about being liked. Hopefully, you'll have good people to work with and not get terrorized.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Oct 4, 2017

The best boss I've ever had listened to me - and made me feel like an important part of the team. He did that with everyone.

amoLucia · Oct 4, 2017

RN here, but >>> 'praise in public, critique in private'.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Oct 4, 2017

Good luck in the supervisor role, you're obviously motivated to do a good job and that will take you far. I've been told that my coworkers like it when I'm supervising, so here are a few tips from me. Be fair and firm, as long as you don't play favorites and you show that you're doing what's best for your employees and residents, little bumps along the way will work out. NEVER get sucked into the gossip game, even if you have a relationship where you become closer with some coworkers than others, you need to stay out of that stuff entirely. And always be willing to help. Every employee in the building knows that I will never ask them to do something I'm not willing to do myself. Enjoy your new position, there might be some challenges, but it will be worth it!

brownbook · Oct 5, 2017

Believe in and trust your staff. They are all mature adults who know how to do their job. You are new to the facility, they have worked there months to years.

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You don't need to boss or supervise them as much as facilitate their ability to do their job.

You are new, don't think you should know the answers, how to do things. Ask the staff. Initially a CNA, med tech, care giver, may know more than you about the correct policy or protocol.