Is this a bait and switch?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hello Nurse Beth,

I am a fellow passionate 56 year old BSN nurse, with 32 years experience. All of my career I've worked in acute, intensive and surgical care of patients in hospital settings. I've had a few certifications that have come and gone.

At present, I have wound care and MED-SURG certifications and ACLS. I recently resigned wound care and was offered a position with with a Rehabilitation/LTC facility for a Double Shift Weekend RN Supervisor... first of all... I've never been a manager...how do you suggest I go about getting myself into this position ?.

And secondly, I'm pretty disappointed in that I was offered a lower rate...36$ hr by the Adm, but then the DoN called me back next day and lowered rate to 32$, saying she couldn't let me be be paid higher than the Supervisor she just hired. Appreciate any and all your ideas, input and opinions. Discouraged...Fuz "

Dear Discouraged,

Many of us who have been in management never had much training. Our industry is notorious for promoting bright bedside clinicians and not teaching them the skill sets needed for their new role.

You come to the role with a lot of clinical credibility and maturity, but there is much to learn. You will need to learn about full-time equivalents (FTEs), productivity metrics, and scheduling others. You need to be very well versed in the facility's policies because you will be troubleshooting and guiding others. Just as an example, you need to know what constitutes a coroner's case in your state, because you must report it, and you will need to have a firm grasp of overtime laws. You may be responsible for seeing that employees clock out for lunch before the six hour mark, or whatever the time frame is in your state.

This is not to discourage you. It's pretty common to learn on the job, but it's important that you have someone who is available to you. I would definitely ask what training will be provided, and who is your immediate supervisor.

You don't have to accept the job if you have reservations. The fact that you were offered a job at one rate and they didn't stand by that offer is disturbing. It's not your problem that the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing in their own organization. Once an offer is made, it is professional to stick to it. For me that's a red flag. 

You could counter with "I'm sorry, I was comfortable with the original offer but now that it's been rescinded and lowered, it no longer meets my needs. " They may backtrack and increase the offer if they really want you.

You could simply turn down the job. Or you can accept it as offered but don't be surprised if administration tells you something one day, you act on it, and they contradict it the next- it could happen.

Best wishes on your decision,

Nurse Beth

[caliotter3]

They offered you the job at one rate and then insulted you by lowering that rate.  Insult or not, I would not go forward with this.  Unlike many, you have the leverage to take your skills and experience elsewhere.

And Beth got it right when she warned you that they will play 'bait and switch' with other decisions on a daily basis.  Do you want to work in a place that places you in the catbird seat with those circmstances?  Don't do this to yourself.

[Fuz3124]

Thank you for tha Nursing Supervisor clue ins... did not consider ? those...

I have decided to take the position, mainly because I'm not doing ? any work at this time, but also because I'm curious about the LTC facility and Supervisory position. I don't see it as a long-term plan but as an experience. A good look into another world. I am very much aware of the issue of the DoN not staying loyal to the initial rate. I will watch my back and make the most of for now. Thank you for the great advice!