night shift supervisor to staff development/QA

[pinkiepieRN]

I'm suffocating in my role right now as house supervisor at night. I work at a skilled nursing/long term care facility of 136 beds. I love what I do, when I get the chance to do it. At least half the time, I'm stuck on the floor, wearing two hats. I get frustrated when I can't do 100% supervisor AND 100% floor nurse. I'm also good at what I do, from troubleshooting clinical issues, deciphering orders, getting STAT meds from pharmacy, negotiating conflicts between my staff and helping out at the bedside when someone needs extra TLC. I have been in this position since October 2014. Prior to becoming the night supervisor, I worked on the floor, doing 7-3 full time. I started at this facility in May 2013, so I was on the floor for 4 months before I was approached about taking this position.

Night shift is slowly sucking my soul. I miss sleeping with my DH and I miss sweet sweet sunlight. I don't want to go back to 7-3 in a clinical bedside capacity because it is busy busy busy and I don't feel like there's ever enough time to give the kind of quality care I hold myself to. I have little difficulty getting out of bed on time; it was just exhausting working on my particular floor and I was always leaving after 4. I was always a little slow with the med cart even though I feel like I had time management under control. I've considered working 3-11 but this position opened up and I'm turning it around in my head.

Some more background, I worked in acute inpatient psych for 2.5 years before I left for an opportunity to teach high school students preparing to become GNAs. That didn't work out because of issues with the curriculum and having next to no support. Seriously, there was no written curriculum for me to base lesson plans on and I had no experience doing so. Honestly, I shouldn't have been offered or taken the job but the school was desperate. I have a certificate in Nursing Education and am taking classing to finish my Masters in Nursing Education. (I have 4 more classes left after this semester.) I've always had a knack for getting people to see the lightbulb go off and I'm creative when it comes to topics that aren't a lot of fun.

What do y'all think? I don't have any formal SDC experience but I have some informal experience and am working on my MSN. I think I'm an asset to my facility but I'm wondering if I'm a good candidate for the position.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I think you might have a good goal. My graduate program taught me how to write curricula and do the other adult teaching things you need. In the meanwhile, you can become an instructor for various types of classs, like all the Am. Heart courses, the ENA courses, etc. Their coure plans will help you develop as an educator. The Association for Nursing Professional Development has a website and you can learn from them as well. I say go for it!

[NurseGuyBri]

Sounds like you have a great plan in action! I was a Staff Development Coordinator in long term care prior to being DON. I'm currently awaiting to start a new job as a regional educator, and am very excited! I love education, and if your heart is in it, GO FOR IT. There is great money in it, too!

[sadnursemg]

Hello there it sounds to me as if you have found your nitch! I am happy for you. I have my Masters but haven't taught in about two years so I'm a bit rusty. I too was overwhelmed on the floor and didn't have enough time to provide quality care. Some of the facilities didn't seem to even seen to care that we cant perform two roles at the same time...ex: supervisor and staff nurse. it is sad. I am looking to connect with others in staff development so that I can ensure I am providing quality education to the staff. I start orientation in two weeks. I'm a bit nervous.