New Grad RN hired as an “RN Supervisor” at a SNF

[ana_96]

So I just got hired an a new grad RN at a SNF. At first I was really excited because this will be my first RN job! And maybe this is my fault, but I went in not knowing exactly what my role would be. During orientation, I found out I will be RN supervisor! This totally took me aback and immediately I felt very discouraged. RN supervisor? I have ZERO experience. Why would they hire a new grad for this position? Everyone I met was super nice, seems like they would be willing to help. I will be doing 7am-3pm shifts full time. They say I will have more help if I do morning shifts (originally I wanted nights) because the DON and assistant DON will be there. Today was just the paper work orientation, tomorrow I will be on the floor training. I believe they will give me 5-7 days training. I have no idea what to expect with this position. Now I am feeling very discouraged because I don’t know if I will be cut out to be an “RN Supervisor” as a new grad. Any new grads been in this situation? If so what was your role and how did you handle it? I know every facility is different. Tomorrow I will find out more of what my role will be, so we will see how this goes! Any advice is greatly appreciated! 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The facility needs an RN  figurehead to qualify for  Medicare reimbursement. Administration does not care about anything BUT reimbursement. Certainly not the residents,  the quality of care, or  YOU.

Think about it.. 5-7 days of training for a nursing supervisor position.. for a new grad? You are being used.

RUN.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, Been there,done that said:

RUN.

And may I add...quickly!!

People aren't supposed to be confused with sacrificial lambs.

[ana_96]

On my shift right now and I’m already feeling so overwhelmed. The RN seems to have to do everything. I’m feeling very discouraged. I don’t want to continue here, but this is only my first day. I feel bad for wanting to leave because they already invested so much time orienting, doing all the paperwork. I’m not sure how to handle this 

[JKL33]

8 minutes ago, ana_96 said:

I don’t want to continue here, but this is only my first day. I feel bad for wanting to leave because they already invested so much time orienting, doing all the paperwork. I’m not sure how to handle this 

I'm not going to tell you to quit; that is your business. Maybe you will decide that there is enough support for you to succeed. Maybe you will decide to quit.

But I am going to call out your rationales here:

The people who hired you hired a new grad with zero paid nursing experience to do a job that has some responsibility and some consequence to it and very little back-up and very little orientation. On top of that it officially has a supervisory title. They have not invested anything in you; they have merely paid a very basic business expense to onboard you. If they didn't want to increase the chances that those onboarding funds would end up wasted then they should have offered a wage and advertised a position for a nurse who has the experience to better handle this, and then been prepared to conduct a proper professional business relationship with that individual.

We, as nurses, do not need to feel bad for the likes of these. They are doing exactly what they want to do. If you choose to leave, whatever they feel is their own problem.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

There is nearly zero scenarios where this will end up being good. If the only thing keeping you there is feeling guilty about their investment, run out the door. It is a facade. 

ETA: To appeal to the younger crowd: it's like assuming someone is invested in you/a relationship just because they send you a 3am "u up?" text ...just no.

[caliotter3]

At my first facility job an RN was hired right out of school just like you.  She was able to succeed because the other nurses on night shift would help her if she needed it.  Most of the time there was an experienced house supervisor on the other side of the building too.  So there was support for her.

[BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN]

If a facility employs LPNs, often they put RN in "supervisor" position. I was a new grad RN in SNF ( we had 3 more, thankfully), and all the LPNs told me what to do: "go hang the antibiotic, you are RN", "go take out the PICC line, you are RN", "go review the medication list with the patient and family, you are RN". Finally, I asked LPNs to do some things for my patients while I was doing things for theirs.

And other posters are right, the facility does not care for you one bit. Wait for them to tell you do things because you are RN.

[Lovethenurse2b25, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

This kind of facility is one that will set you up for failure. In my experience SNF that hire new grads inexperienced to supervise are usually run down and understaffed. Bottom line although you are NEW the court of law will not side with you. You are operating under a license for you and only YOU. Also as a newbie you are an earlier target for administration to put the blame on you. Look for employment elsewhere that will offer you proper training. 

[Newishnurse1995]

I agree with everyone else, however maybe you should wait a little bit. At least it’s something you can put on your resume for future jobs. Give it 6 months.

[Lissette Vega Alvarez]

I’m curious as to what your degree is and your level of work experience...Do you have supervisory experience elsewhere? Did you get your MN? 

[anewsns]

NOPE ! .. I wouldn’t even stay as a staff nurse . You could probably get a staff nurse position in a better nursing home or rehab somewhere else!