Is going straight from nursing school to nurse supervisor a good career choice?

Nurses General Nursing

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An acquaintance of mine graduated from nursing school a couple years ago and straight out of nursing school she snagged a LTC supervisor job, stayed in that position for a year and recently got promoted to nurse manager. I was thinking that may be a good career path for me because I heard she makes pretty good money and I need all the money I can get, but is it a cop out? I want to be the best nurse I can be. Do you think going straight to a leadership role that doesn't give me direct contact with patients will jeopardize any chances of being a front line nurse, if I would chose a different nursing position in the future? I didn't want to ask her because I didn't want to insult her, so any thought or experiences on this would be nice. Thank you!

Specializes in LDRP.

I had a clinical instructor this summer who suggested we all look for LTC nurse supervisor jobs once we graduate. I thought this was the strangest thing since why would a new grad with no experience have any right to be supervising nurses and aides who have experience? I didn't think too much about it after that, and just sort of dismissed the comment, but so many PPs have made many great comments about the quality of the facility that will hire no experience new grads as supervisors. I'm sure some people have gone this route and survived, but I know personally I'll be getting my skills down in bedside nursing before I ever even contemplate adding "supervisor" to my title.

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It was a constantly revolving door. State would come, we would refresh our leadership, and it would happen all over again.

I've gotta say, "refresh our leadership" is my new favorite euphemism!! I'm guessing that's management talk for "sack the supervisor on the spot"??

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I've gotta say, "refresh our leadership" is my new favorite euphemism!! I'm guessing that's management talk for "sack the supervisor on the spot"??

Haha I don't know how I came to word it that way but yes, everyone got shoved out the door (or they ran) and we had new, bright and shiny faces replacing them.

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At first money was my first concern, but after reading all of the responses, it made me think. Yes, I could potentially find a supervisor or management job straight out of school and make a few extra thousand dollars, but I actually want to learn and become the best nurse I can be. Knowledge and experience means a lot more to me than a few thousand dollars. I also want to have pride in what I do and know that I didn't take the easy route, and by that I mean a management job that never truly tests what I learned in nursing school. Now that I think about it I don't know what's the point of becoming a nurse if I would become a manager straight out of nursing school. I don't even think I would have the right to call myself a nurse.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Middle management is typically grossly underpaid/unappreciated universally. I have been offered opportunities to be a manager and have not done so, despite having 18 years' experience, because I know how thankless it is. I also know good managers work WAY more than 40 hours a week, plus 24/7 accountability all for a (ridiculously) low salary.

So, I am hoping one day, to go into clinical/hospital education; not that you make so much, but it would rewarding for me.

Nope, management is not in the cards for me, because I have a life and don't want the headaches. Gonna leave it to the young un's who have more energy and are willing to take the crap a middle manager must swallow on a daily basis.

Don't get the idea I don't respect managers; I respect that position greatly; it's just not for me.

Good luck whatever you do decide.

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This is my experience with those kind of situations. I worked as a C.N.A at an assistant living who hired new people just out of high school to supervisor older C.N.A of 5+ years. The boss wanted young people who could get the job done. They are failing miserably and management is too dumb to realize it. Young people has not experienced life enough to understand humility of taking care of others. These kids thinks it's about getting the job done and don't worry a resident's needs. They don't try to feed the residents who don't eat well. After feeding a resident, a resident living there walked up to me and thank me for feeding the resident. She said they never try to feed him and he just sat there. This person has Alzheimer and needs feeding. I see it but can't stop it from happening because the management is set on letting young people run the place. Thank god, they laid me off. I can't deal with their dysfunctional ways anymore. Some of the family sees what goes on and leaves their family member there because it cost less to live there. After working at an assistant living, I pray I never need anyone to take care of me. Starvation isn't the best way to dye. Hope they shut the place down soon.

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Patient had recent hip replacement (BEFORE Coumadin was given routinely).

Pt starts vomiting & profuse diarrhea. Didn't need a occult blood kit to see & SMELL blood.

Sent to ER 911. They send pt back. NO labs done but they were diagnosed with UTI, given Pepcid IV. No new meds....

What do you do?

Pt fell 2 hours ago outside in employee break area & is screaming. Has been since they were put back to bed & you just arrived.

Long time pt is reported to have sudden facial drooping. You don't know resident, so you can't concur with aides BUT....LPN says they don't look different. Do you argue with LPN judgment?

State walks in & is threatening to shut the doors. A pt has lost 100 pounds in 6 weeks.

DON'T do it!!! I made that mistake & I'm thankful I got out before I made a costly mistake.

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