What is an "RN supervisor"???

[RNdynamic]

This might seem like a really base question, but what precisely is an "RN supervisor" in the setting of a nursing home/SNF? Two people I know were hired as brand new graduates from nursing school as "RN supervisors" in a nursing home. Does that mean they are like actual supervisors, like the kind of nursing supervisor you see making rounds in a hospital? Or is the role somewhat different in LTC? It's hard to picture new grads being "supervisors" if they have no experience in nursing, much less supervising nursing.

[Farawyn]

Many LPNs work in LTC, and the RN is usually the supervisor because he/she oversees the LPNs.

I think that's what NOADLS is.

[Extra Pickles]

sounds like a recipe for tragedy honestly, you're right that there should not be new grads as supervisors. They may find out that they are the only RN in the building and are responsible for overseeing the care of all residents and that will include any assessments that are due on them. The RN supervisor may have to determine quickly if someone should go to the hospital and set all that into motion before the covering doc even responds to the phone calls. That's a lot of nursing responsibility for someone who is very new!

[pistolchick]

This might seem like a really base question, but what precisely is an "RN supervisor" in the setting of a nursing home/SNF? Two people I know were hired as brand new graduates from nursing school as "RN supervisors" in a nursing home. Does that mean they are like actual supervisors, like the kind of nursing supervisor you see making rounds in a hospital? Or is the role somewhat different in LTC? It's hard to picture new grads being "supervisors" if they have no experience in nursing, much less supervising nursing.

Agree with Farawyn. I worked as an LPN in LTC. The CNAs reported to me, I reported to the RN. The RN Supervisor is the "charge nurse" so to speak. IMHO, new grads being offered an RN supervisor position in a SNF are being thrown to the wolves.

[tsm007]

The first time I was given the label RN Supervisor I was kind of thrown off. Who exactly am I supervising? In my case and from what I've seen you are supervising the CNAs, which the LPNs do the exact same thing when they are on the floor by themselves they just don't get the fancy supervisor label. I haven't been supervising other RNs or for that matter I really haven't been supervising LPNs.

[SallyTheCamel]

I do some PRN weekend "RN supervisor" shifts. My role then is to make sure everything is going smoothly, but mainly to cover the mandated 8 hour RN coverage when the DON isn't there.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

It is different in each SNF. It depends on the size of the facility. Sometimes just being the RN on duty makes you the supervisor. ASK to see the job description.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

Many LPNs work in LTC, and the RN is usually the supervisor because he/she oversees the LPNs.

I think that's what NOADLS is.

It's what I do, and most facilities in my area are run this way. Only the badly run (won't name the facility groups who do this) would hire a new grad for sup position

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In many states, nursing homes require a minimum of 8 hours of RN coverage per 24 hours. The DON provides this coverage Monday through Friday by virtue of his/her RN license and being present in the facility. However, the RN supervisor provides the legally mandated RN coverage on weekends.

In addition, some corporate-owned nursing home chains require on-site RN coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. These facilities utilize RN supervisors on all shifts to comply with internal policies.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

This thread has been moved to our LTC Nursing forum to ensure the conversation continues via responses from those who work in the nursing home industry.

[suzw]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I do know that, as a brand new RN in LTC, I feel more like the very experienced LPNs there supervise ME. I really don't think I would be capable of supervising them, since I am so new and they are really experienced and know what they're doing.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Where I work the RN Supervisor is the most senior RN in the building on that shift. The supervisor deals with any staffing issues. The supervisor also must be notified of any major changes in condition, falls and any transfers out to the hospital. The only time the supervisor is responsible for assessments is if the nurse on the unit is an LPN, otherwise there are not really any additional duties required.