LTC nurse supervisors ...

[enchantedpixie]

I would like some advice on being a LTC supervisor ... is it better to have LTC experience or is it possible to be a successful supervisor with nursing experience outside of LTC?

[JTworoger]

I would like some advice on being a LTC supervisor ... is it better to have LTC experience or is it possible to be a successful supervisor with nursing experience outside of LTC?

Enchantedpixie,

This is a very difficult question to answer, because I'm sure that many would either agree or diagree with my statement that I'm about to say.

I personally feel like a nurse who has experience in another aspect of nursing is a great asset anywhere, however, I feel if you are changing your specific aspect of nursing, then you need to get a good feeling for that aspect before persuing a supervisor role.

With that being said, you don't want to overwhelm yourself with meanlingless situations if you don't know how to handle them just yet. How a nurse handles something on a Medical/Surigcal floor, for example, may handle a situation totally different then a nurse who is actually working in a nursing home.

My advise to you is, get a feeling for the job before you take a Supervisor role, because honestly, as a nurse your going to be a supervisor anyway, just may not be over the same amount of people that you where applying for.

I worked in the ER for 3 years before I came to a LTC facility due to being burned out and after a couple months, I took the MDS position and let me tell you, sometimes I feel like I have to much responsiblity.

In the end the choice is yours, but that is my advice/suggestion. I hope this helps!

Jeremy

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

LTC is not easy. Having no experience in that particular area of nursing would make it very difficult to be a supervisor. How can you supervise other people if you don't know the regs or how things are supposed to be done?

[americanTrain]

I didnt know what a reg was when I first became DON at a LTC facilty,. but I had supervisory experience. What I did is a lot of research online and went to a home and asked questions of the DON. She gave me good advise. She loaned me books to read, and through a lot of self taught , and taking books home every night to read, I learned alot of what was expected. Now, I did have experience in LTC as a Hospice nurse, I had 7 pts at one facilty and would stay there all day. I didnt work there thought. Now, mind me to say that my first DON experience was a nightmare, because they knew I didnt have experience. This one didnt. Dont ask, dont tell. Be confident, even those who are not born leaders can become one with experience. You may have to have several jobs as supervisor before you land the right one. If this is what you want, dont give up. Now if youve no experience as supervisor at all, I would definatly hesitate before jumping in. Just my 2 C's