New Grad Manager?

It sounds like you were fortunate enough to land a great job and obviously your facility thinks you have what it takes. I had a friend in a similar situation- hired into LTC/SNF right after graduation, worked there maybe six months and was offered a unit manager position, which she accepted. I'm sure she felt out of her depth at first too, and yes, she took some animosity from the LPNs (and a couple RNs) that had been there longer than her.

What matters is that this is the right position for you and who cares what anyone else thinks. The skills that you mentioned- judgement and tough skin- are things that you will develop. But how can you develop them if you don't stay in the position? It's like time management and prioritization- you can't learn those skills unless you practice every day. Yes, going back to a staff nurse position might be more comfortable, but are you going to have the same opportunity to develop your leadership skills?

Here is a similar example- a new nurse is just off orientation and overwhelmed with trying to care for five patients. She thinks "If I could just go back to being a student, and only have two patients, I'll have more time to work on these skills." Unfortunately, there is no way to learn certain skills as a student. You have to do the work of an RN to hone time management and so on. Likewise, you have to be in this management position to develop certain skills.

What is making you want to leave? Is it just that you feel out of your depth? Do you like the work? Do you like who you work with? Think about the long term- will this job give you financial stability? Does it give you a schedule that works for a growing family? What are your long term (5-10 year) goals and how does this job line up with those?

I would hate to see you leave a good job and a good work environment because you feel overwhelmed. At least give yourself six months or so to grow into it and see how you feel about it then. Acute care, or any other position, comes with it's share of pros and cons. The grass isn't always greener on the other side.

Good luck!

Ashley

I've spent the last decade or so in the corporate world, so take this with a grain of salt.....

Really good managers listen to their staff and respect their staff's judgment. They are usually experts in MANAGING, thinking creatively and solving problems, not necessarily *doing* the job the staff does. Sure, it helps when you have a clue, but that's not necessarily the FOCUS of being a manager.

You've been at this facility a long time, you know how things work and you're also an RN....maybe the LPNs have more direct patient care experience, but that is their primary role, so they SHOULD be good at it. Keep being respectful to them and LISTENING and ACTING on their concerns and you'll earn their respect despite your limited experience as an RN.

Don't leave this job because you are feeling inexperienced next to the LPNs....leave it if its not want you want for your long-term career.

is this a real supervisory role or a basic ltc rn role? if it is a supervirory role then, experienced nurses will tell you that management in the nursing world is not exactly the same as management in a strictly business world (mostly paper work). for this very reason, you are finding yourself in a bad situation (actually having to know and be experienced in clinical nursing, regulations.... etc). for example, if you lose your job through termination, the reasons your facility will use to get rid of you may risk your license because you did not know what you needed to know to prevent poor outcomes with patients or during an inspection. therefore, you must decide if the risk is worth hanging on to this job...

by the way, you are not the only new grad offered such jobs.... here is a recent thread with advice from experienced nurse to a new grad with no healthcare or managerial experience:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/what-expect-rn-558349.html

on the other hand, if it is a basic ltc rn role, you may be ok if you are getting good support. if not, continue to seek other jobs. gl!