I work at a 63 bed SNF (7P-7A), I like the job (when I am on the floor), but everyday that I am scheduled (the 7p-11p section of my shift) I am the nursing supervisor, now during this section of my shift we have 2 other nurses on, 1 for each of the 2 floors, and then me. My complaint is that I am tired of supervising other nurses with a combined total of 50 yrs experience, now the reason that they do not want to supervise is b/c "they just don't want the responsibility". I have had my license only 3 years.....I was hired at this job as a floor nurse before some of these nurses where even hired (so would not senority-sp? be taken in to account here?). I have discussed this with the DON, and her response to me was "Well, I have no where to place you from 7-11p". I have suggested that she rotate us all to do this position, but she won't budge.....I am tired of being called for silly things.......like can I give this suppository, can I change this colostomy bag. Also some of these nurses expect me to chart for them, (which I tell them how can I chart on a pt that I have not been taking care of), this list can go on. I am a team player, but I am tired of busting my hump, it is even expected of the supervisor to do all the tx's in house during these 4 hours which I might add the tx nurse gets a whole 12 hours to do when she is in. Call in all labs, order drugs, deal with family member complaints, falls, send outs to the hospital as they come up, paperwork for the following day (pts DR'S appointments). I am thinking of starting to look for another job, but as I mentioned at the begining of this thread I like my residents and my job when I am not being the nursing supervisor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..........on how to deal with this.
The DON is aware under the BON - RN'S are responsible for their own actions......when we supervise....we are picking up the duties of supervisor- i.e. - labs, tx's, incident reports, admissions, sending pt's out to the hospital etc.....but the RN'S still are responsible for anything that goes on on their floor. The working environment has become so much better.... for all us LPN'S anyway....:) less time supervising means happier LPN'S.....I think in time the RN'S will get to be happier. :)
The RN's will be responsible like it or not if some thing happens with a consequence. Unfortunately, you will go down with them. They will fall harder though. :smackingf If you let yourself be taken advantage of...you will be taken advantage of...You might end up kissing your nursing career goodbye because of it. NOT WORTH IT.
You and the other LPNs need to get assurances in writing from that DON that when you do the tasks such as calling labs etc you are NOT functioning as the charge nurse.
Stand your ground, but I believe you when you say you will probably be moving on.
Good news people.....I guess my months of complaining, moaning, and plain out bugging the DON.....she has now been rotating ALL NURSES (RN AND LPN) to supervise.....I now have a few nurses that are not happy with me, but you know what I really do not care.....they were dodging their responsibilities, and pushing the supervisor role onto the LPN'S....well not anymore......YAHOO :) :) :) :)
LPN's can supervise RN's in that the LPN can make pt assignments,assign break schedules etc., but can not assess or evaluate the work performance of an RN.
We went through this at a medical clinic I used to work, when the LPN tried to do our yearly evaluation.
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
Yes, but we are talking about LTC here, two completly different areas....
LPN's can supervise RN's in that the LPN can make pt assignments,assign break schedules etc., but can not assess or evaluate the work performance of an RN.
We went through this at a medical clinic I used to work, when the LPN tried to do our yearly evaluation.
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
If we are talking about LTC the LVN normally works as the charge nurse and does it all from calling in labs , directing CNA's.... Whatever you know what Im trying to say here. If people at my job had a hugh deal with this issue we would have a real problem. Because of course we have a RN for a DON but our ADON is a LVN. She is the one that the RN's call when they have trouble and need help or need managment to step in for a family or something. I work on the weekend only and I am the staffing supervisor but we have a nurse on call and frequently it is a LVN. Me personally I couldnt care less, I just have to go to work and make money ...
You and the other LPNs need to get assurances in writing from that DON that when you do the tasks such as calling labs etc you are NOT functioning as the charge nurse.
Stand your ground, but I believe you when you say you will probably be moving on.
HONEYBEAR
129 Posts
The DON is aware under the BON - RN'S are responsible for their own actions......when we supervise....we are picking up the duties of supervisor- i.e. - labs, tx's, incident reports, admissions, sending pt's out to the hospital etc.....but the RN'S still are responsible for anything that goes on on their floor. The working environment has become so much better.... for all us LPN'S anyway....:) less time supervising means happier LPN'S.....I think in time the RN'S will get to be happier. :)