new job--3-11 supervisor--advice please!!

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Soooooo... tomorrow I start a new job... I'll be the 3 to 11 supervisor at a facility that is new to me. 98 bed facility. I have never done this job before and I'm really excited but scared too! My biggest challenge, I'm expecting, will be keeping the aides on this shift on task. I expect I will have paperwork to complete. I will be helping the nurses with admissions, events, maybe passing meds.. I'll be doing staffing assignments....

What else should I expect? ANY advice is appreciated!

Specializes in kids.

We as managers have to set the tone. I work per diem in LTC so I don't/won't get caught up in the day to day crap. If we are overwhelmed and frustrated, it seems to set them, off, I try to just stay calm and tell them I expect them to do their best, see me for what they need and let's have a good shift. I rarely have issues with them. Some need a little more prodding that others but I am clear about my expectations. I want VS done early so I can deal with them, I need to know mid shift if a Foley is not draining, or if someone is having a issue. Do NOT tell me that stuff 10 minutes before the shift is over!!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Staying calm and having clear expectations is great advice. We go through a lot of CNAs at my facility. I usually only have one CNA who has been there more than a year. I review what I am looking for at the start of the shift and when appropriate will revisit issues at the end of shift. My experience is that CNAs work hard but they don't always work efficiently due to lack of familiarity with the facility, the residents, or perhaps being new CNAs. When things go well at the end of the shift I complement them. I also will suggest different approaches to residents if there have been difficulties. I also like to ask "What do you think could make a difference?"

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Feeling very discouraged tonight. One of my aides went to the DON and complained that one of my nurses would not help answer call lights... just a plethora of complaints that I wish she would have come to me about first. Plus there were apparently several family complaints centered around last night's shift... well it was pretty crazy! This one unit got four new admits yesterday, the unit already has a large number of residents, and I could not get the DON or staffing coordinator to give me any extra help.

Overall I feel like a big babysitter in this job. I feel like I don't have what it takes to do this job. I've never been good at telling people what to do. I feel so overwhelmed and in over my head and the poor staffing (8 aides for about 104 residents on evening shift) doesn't help.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I feel so overwhelmed and in over my head and the poor staffing (8 aides for about 104 residents on evening shift) doesn't help.
Eight CNAs for 104 residents translates into approximately 1 aide per 13 residents. This is acceptable SNF staffing in my neck of the woods.

But yes, the aide should not have run to the DON with a litany of complaints without first giving you a chance to address the issues. People who jump the chain of command do not realize they are frequently not helping the situation by going over someone's head.

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