What does an RN supervisor do?

[MelissaLPN]

Hey guys just a quick question. I am in a LTC facility and we have RN supervisors on the weekends. We have had several and I would like to know what it is that they should do? My supervisor doesn't seem to do much of anything. Mainly she sits at the desk and handles complaints. Her idea of handling a complaint is to walk down the hall and tell me about it. I have gone to her on a few occasions with nursing questions, protocol issues and the like and she has no answer for me. She just says " oh I don't know." She is real apologetic but she has worked there for 5 years, how can she not be my resource of policy, procedure, nursing questions? From what I have seen, her job could be done by an unlicensed personnel. Is this normal? Is she just a warm body for fulfill rn quota? I am not complaining as she leaves when I come in and I work with out any supervisor, but shouldn't a supervisor be a help? Not just there to make sure I don't steal the wipes?

[caliotter3]

My supervisors fit the description given by the OP except that occasionally they did help out. One in particular, would get involved when a resident was going bad. However, one supervisor came to work to sleep on the night shift. She was reported to the DON by the LVN who came to work to sleep on the night shift, and she got fired, but the sleeping LVN stayed.

[handyrn]

Sure, I'd like to apply. You don't say where you're located! :)

[ltctravelnurse]

As a day shift LTC supervisor, I use my 24 years of experience ever minute of every day. I am the person that is expected to know it all & tie it all together! The floor nurses & CNA have such a heavy workload, so I handle anything that is not ADL's, meds or treatments (& I also do those from time-to-time, PRN). I handle all emergency situations &/or change in status assessments & assure prompt & proper decision making based on the details I find......make rounds with & follow up on orders of all MD's, FNP's, & other specialists.....I make assignments.....insure adequate staffing.....do all required quarterly assessments....assure all Medicare, Medicaid & private insurance guidelines are being properly followed.... note & transcript all new orders.....handle all complaints/concerns/conflicts (residents, family members, Administrator, DON, ADON, dietary manager, social worker, pharmacy, supply clerk, medical record clerk, housekeeping, maintanance, HR, Corporate, MD's, NP's, etc .......admit/discharge all residents .....maintain all immunization administration & records.....and on & on & on......BUT I love my job!

[maisiern]

yes she should be the person to go to for policy and procedure questions and if she doesnt know the answer she should find out for you. also she should be handling the complaints herself

[nogitopaz]

I would say just do your job and don't worry what someone else is doing,,policy and procedures should be available for you to view for your own job title. I hope You did accept the job knowing your role.

[gardenpartyy]

Man, it must be like a running theme with RN supervisors. We just got rid of our new one after only 2.5 weeks because all she did was brush her hair and slowly walk around looking lost. When we'd ask the supervisor to change a PICC line dressing or something and it would take her three hours and 5 more times of requesting it to do it. She would always say, "i would help you out, but i don't know all this computer stuff." (we are computerized) But never even tried to learn. Hot mess....