RN Supervisor tips please.

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I may be hired as an RN supervisor in the next week, and am wondering if anyone has some tips that I should be aware of. I've never been supervisor, and am quite nervous. I really don't even know what it entails.. beyond the vague description.

Thank you Soooo Much!!!

Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

That is excellent! That is exactly what I want to do. I intend on being fair. I just hope that my integrity doesn't get in the way of company advancement. Meaning.. I don't want to compromise my conscience. Thank you for that wonderful advice!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

Thank you everyone, for your tips and advice, and the congratulations! I truly appreciate it! I will maintain my integrity with this new position (granted I do really get hired - that isn't firm yet).

Love you all... this forum is the best! :redbeathe :heartbeat :redpinkhe

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

I work in a Mental Health Rehab Center where selected LVN's are supervisors on weekends. I started as one of those LVN Supervisors just a couple of months ago. I can tell you from my experience that the most important thing I have learned from it is that beyond your skills and knowlegde as a nurse, you have to learn to make decisions quickly and stick by them, trusting that your years of experience are telling you the right things. People under you may or may not question you, and those above you will certainly question you. In the end, the only measure you should use is, did you do the right thing for your patients. :lol2::yeah:

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Specializes in CT stepdown, hospice, psych, ortho.

#1...do not bend the rules for some people and not for others. you will immediately lose credibility and be seen as one that plays favorites. Enforce the policies fairly across the board for everyone.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I agree. :) I love this nursing forum. you guys are great !

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

When in doubt, refer to the policy. THere is nothing wrong with saying "I don't know the answer to that, I'll get right back with you" (and of course do that).

Utilize your resources, you are not an expert in everything, you are someone who knows where the experts are and value their input, even if you have to make an unpopular decision.

Complement the good you see, correct behaviour in private.

Pick your battles wisely and if someone is acting out of character they may just need an ear to let out what is wrong, vrs the battle axe approach.

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Specializes in Cardiac Cath Lab, LTC.

1st and foremost is to be fair. Always get ALL sides of a story before acting on it. 2nd......TEACH, be willing to teach your staff what/how to do things the right way.....then hold them accountable. I personally make sure my staff know what I except, show/tell/educate and if that doesn't sink in, I take them to the side and give them a little 1 on 1 "talk" and let them know it's a "gratis" couseling session just between us and that I expect them to come up to standard, next time we'll be talking with the DON. That usually does it :)

Make sure you are willing to step in and help them when needed, I still assist CNAs with cleaning pts, pass trays ect when we're short staffed.

And a trait that I learned a long time ago from my favorite supervisor was to tell each one of them "Thanks for a good job" as often as possible :) That in and of itself will go a long way.

Congrats and Good Luck!!!

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