How to handle promotion to Nursing Supervisor

[sirvine89]

Hello everyone. I am an RN who was just promoted to Nursing Supervisor. I am well-liked by majority (there’s one, maybe two people who aren’t fans of mine for personal reasons) of the staff. I am seen as respectful, funny, laid back, and hardworking. I never speak down to LPNs or CNAs and I will always help the CNAs with changes, ambulation, tolieting, bed pans, etc. I am not concerned with maintaining friendships, but am concerned with transitioning to supervisor, how to be seen now as supervisor rather than co-worker, and how to not be seen as “on my high horse” when my new position will require me to ask or tell someone that something needs to be done. I believe it is a real skill to be respected, well liked, and effective at the same time. I’m sure people I have been friendly with during my time there will maybe expect special treatment or favoritism. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I am assuming that you were promoted in a facility where you were line staff, and now you are in a different role. You definitely have to strike a fine balance between keeping a good personal relationship with your staff and maintaining enough discipline to make it all work. One thing that I will tell you up front: Don't socialize with subordinates. It's a good way to create ill feelings, especially among those who are not among the group that you socialize with. I make it a personal policy not to even befriend subordinates on social media. It's just easier to avoid any appearance of impropriety than to deal with someone who believes that you favor other employees because you're friends with them on social media. I get invited to various off-duty staff functions all the time (baby showers, housewarming parties, etc.). I politely decline and thank the employee for asking me. If I go to one and for whatever reason I can't go to someone else's, then there can be hurt feelings, accusations of favoritism, etc. It's easier to just avoid the problem

Don't be afraid to make difficult decisions. As you have already figured out, there may be some former coworkers who believe that they can do whatever they want with you in charge. You may be put in the position of disciplining or correcting someone who you were once great friends with. You cannot allow your previous relationship to color your actions. You will make unpopular decisions as well. That shouldn't stop you from making them.

One thing that I have always tried to do when making decisions about policy changes is to talk to those who would be most directly affected by the change. You get buy-in by allowing the staff to have input, without allowing them to make the final call. I openly solicit staff ideas and adopt the best ones. Nobody knows the job better than those who perform it every day.

Another cardinal rule: Don't vent to subordinates. The saying "It's lonely at the top" refers to just this. The circle of people in whom you can safely confide just got a lot smaller when you were promoted.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

3 minutes ago, Orca said:

I am assuming that you were promoted in a facility where you were line staff, and now you are in a different role. You definitely have to strike a fine balance between keeping a good personal relationship with your staff and maintaining enough discipline to make it all work. One thing that I will tell you up front: Don't socialize with subordinates. It's a good way to create ill feelings, especially among those who are not among the group that you socialize with. I make it a personal policy not to even befriend subordinates on social media. It's just easier to avoid any appearance of impropriety than to deal with someone who believes that you favor other employees because you're friends with them on social media. I get invited to various off-duty staff functions all the time (baby showers, housewarming parties, etc.). I politely decline and thank the employee for asking me. If I go to one and for whatever reason I can't go to someone else's, then there can be hurt feelings, accusations of favoritism, etc. It's easier to just avoid the problem

Don't be afraid to make difficult decisions. As you have already figured out, there may be some former coworkers who believe that they can do whatever they want with you in charge. You may be put in the position of disciplining or correcting someone who you were once great friends with. You cannot allow your previous relationship to color your actions. You will make unpopular decisions as well. That shouldn't stop you from making them.

One thing that I have always tried to do when making decisions about policy changes is to talk to those who would be most directly affected by the change. You get buy-in by allowing the staff to have input, without allowing them to make the final call. I openly solicit staff ideas and adopt the best ones. Nobody knows the job better than those who perform it every day.

Another cardinal rule: Don't vent to subordinates. The saying "It's lonely at the top" refers to just this. The number of people in whom you can safely confide about things that frustrate you, anger you or confuse you just got a lot smaller when you were promoted.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I think Orca's advice was spot on. I don't have anything to add.