Transition to Nurse Supervisor

Nurses General Nursing

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I have done a good job in my department and have a good solid reputation at work (RN for 17 years, 3 of those years in my current department- a GI Lab). I applied to be the department Supervisor and while there were many people who were supportive of my bid, there were a lot of people that weren't. Unfortunately, our department is very cliquey and gossipy (I stay out of the clique) thanks to some of the millenials that have taken over our department (this is not meant to be an attack on millenials, but rather just a statement of the particular age group involved). The millennials (many of whom have been nurses for under 5 years and have been in our department for two years or less) believe that they should be able to dictate what goes on in our department (even when I am the charge nurse, they come and argue to question my decisions). They also seem to have the Manager (who is in her 30s) wrapped around their finger, even though some of them exhibit some questionable behavior (I.e. laziness, manipulativeness, bullying, etc).

I was initially enthusiastic about the job and I have the department and the staff's best interests at heart. I intend to be a Supervisor who will help the staff as much as possible to make sure that they are taken care of because a happy staff that trusts their leadership is also a productive staff. But the bullying, the comments being made, and the staff members that are clearly determined to be unhappy about this is making me feel leery about taking on the position. I have always considered myself strong and I don't usually care about other's opinions, but I am concerned that people might try to set me up to fail. It seems like it could just end up being more aggravation than it's worth. Any thoughts, advice, or opinions would be welcome.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

What is your position now? Are you a regular nurse in the department? Would the supervisor position be above the manager in terms of hierarchy? Just trying to get a better picture before offering my two cents.

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I am a regular nurse in the department currently (it's a GI Lab). The hierarchy would be The Director, The Manager, and then the Supervisor (which would be me if I get the job). Any advice would be welcome!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Normally I would say who cares what everyone else thinks and to just go for it. However, if they control the manager and if they will do whatever to make you fail then it just isn't worth it. On the flip side, if you have a good reputation in the department that may work in your favor. Have the nurses that support you rally behind you and defend you. Are you well thought of by the director?

No matter what area you work there will always be individuals who don't agree with your actions as charge nurse. The best thing to do is not let them push you over or bully you to change your decisions in their favor. Same goes for being a supervisor.

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I think you're getting a little too far ahead. See if they actually offer you the job, first.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

And what will be your feelings if you DON'T get the position?

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21 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

And what will be your feelings if you DON'T get the position?

Truthfully, I may be a bit embarrassed. But then I would just go on doing what I'm doing and maybe keep my eye out for other opportunities. If I don't get the position, I would just take it as a sign that maybe it wasn't going to be the best situation for me and then I would wait for something that is.

2 hours ago, OUxPhys said:

Normally I would say who cares what everyone else thinks and to just go for it. However, if they control the manager and if they will do whatever to make you fail then it just isn't worth it. On the flip side, if you have a good reputation in the department that may work in your favor. Have the nurses that support you rally behind you and defend you. Are you well thought of by the director?

No matter what area you work there will always be individuals who don't agree with your actions as charge nurse. The best thing to do is not let them push you over or bully you to change your decisions in their favor. Same goes for being a supervisor.

Thank you, OUxPhys!

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Specializes in school nurse.

From your description of the dynamics in your workplace, why would you want to be a supervisor there?

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I feel like most supervisors I know wish they stayed on the floor! A lot more responsibility w not a lot more pay

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55 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

From your description of the dynamics in your workplace, why would you want to be a supervisor there?

I guess I have helped to make some changes around the department and I feel like I may have the leadership skills necessary to turn things around. I have of course become more practical and realistic as I have grown up in this profession, but I suppose I still am a little idealistic.

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48 minutes ago, ILRNfor10 said:

I feel like most supervisors I know wish they stayed on the floor! A lot more responsibility w not a lot more pay

And I have thought about that. One of the nurses who has been there for a long time said that she has seen a lot of supervisors come and go and she was worried about me burning out. Of course I haven't been offered the job yet (and I don't know if I will), but it just seems like a hard call to make.

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17 hours ago, athey1999 said:

It seems like it could just end up being more aggravation than it's worth.

Unless you have a particular professional or personal goal in mind that you think this position lends itself toward (such as moving into higher levels of management or improving your personal/family schedule, for example) there's a good chance it will be more aggravation than it's worth. This position is a staff-facing punching bag position and the main thing that would mitigate that would be working under a supportive and even-handed manager.

However, be sure you haven't misjudged things. We tend to go off of what we think we know, and sometimes we don't know much. For example, do certain people really have the manager wrapped around their finger, or do they just like to pretend they do because it makes them feel better (very common IME)? Is the manager a fair person? How does s/he envision you handling this role? What are the goals of the position? These things are more important than whether a couple of people like to gossip and belly-ache. Plus, it isn't difficult to outsmart the kind of people whose only game plan in life is to try various pitiful "attacks" on others.

You would also need to get to know your coworkers as individuals; none of this generational stuff--it becomes divisive and unfair very quickly.

2 hours ago, athey1999 said:

I guess I have helped to make some changes around the department and I feel like I may have the leadership skills necessary to turn things around.

What you will be missing (especially without a supportive and even-handed manager) is the authority to actually do so.

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