"Training" for Supervisory Role

[pnurseuwm]

Hello all,

I have been in nursing for less than a year, then left the nursing profession for a year, now may be interested in coming back. I really have only a few months experience in med/surg. I just had an interview with an LTC that would be interested in "training" me for an RN Supervisory role (I guess because I have "RN" behind my name! ) I don't really feel sure in my skills after so much time off and I'd rather be just a regular "floor" nurse. What, specifically, goes into training a fairly new RN for a supervision role?

[Vito Andolini]

Well, they will probably expect you to take heat calls from docs and families, resolve staff squabbles, get supplies from the locked area, fill out various reports, contact the Administrator on call for unexpected deaths and serious emergencies with the patients or the building, be a resource person for other nurses and for aides, and make sure the next shift is staffed (take call off's, try to find replacements and contact no shows, this type of thing).

You might pitch in and help staff with bedside care, dressings, feedings, take over a team if a nurse has to leave due to illness or emergency, help with paperwork, get meds from Pharmacy.

It's a good job if you are ready to sort of leave bedside nursing and start to learn the basics of supervision.

[RN1989]

This place is looking for a warm body. You have not had enough nursing experience to be in charge without risking your license. They are counting on the job offer flattering you into taking the position. Run, don't walk, to the nearest place that will give you a job as a staff nurse until you get more nursing experience under your belt.

[Hopeslayer]

I couldn't agree more. You could be eaten alive there. Even working as a staff nurse for a solid year would make it much safer for that kind of role.

[tencat]

Nope, not a good plan. I barely have two years nursing under my belt, and I KNOW I don't have the experience I need to be a good leader. I think it takes a few more years than that to be competent enough as a nurse, much less a leader. Not to short change you (I have also been offerred a 'supervisory' job and said "he-- no!) but if they are that desperate to ask someone who has little experience, then it's not a place you want to be in charge and accountable.......does that make sense?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

How much training are they giving? Weeks?

I agree...I think at the bare minimum, you should have at least one year experience as a staff nurse in LTC first. Now....some faclities the RN is automatically considered a supervisor and also works the floor. Yeah...that's how I "trained"

I would look for a place that will let you get the staff nurse experience.

[Atheos]

We let new grads orient to supervising only if they are concurrently working at a hospital or have a year of experience. We also give them 3 weeks orientation on a unit and 2 months of orientation with a current supervisor.

A RN that isn't willing to learn to supervise probably wouldn't be used on the floor. Even though we are private pay, I am not sure the DON or administrator would be willing to train an RN on the floor to work the floor. They seem to prefer hospital trained RN's. I myself would take an RN any way I could get them...