Why is there such an abundant RN Manager and Supervisor positions?

Asystole RN · Feb 10, 2017

Much more difficult to hire for and they still have a decent amount of turnover. Middle management sucks.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2017

I was an RN house supervisor for a couple of years. I would not want to return to that position unless I was forced into it by the prospect of impending homelessness. The cons of the job included:

1. A set salary, even though I worked 12-hour night shifts

2. Regularly taking a full patient load in addition to my supervisory duties

3. Constant intervention into staff arguments and interpersonal conflicts

4. Mountains of paperwork such as audits, admission forms, consents, etc.

5. Playing the game of office politics against my will

6. Being forced to participate in the disciplinary process as a witness even if I did not agree with the written warning, suspension, or performance improvement plan that management issued to employees.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2017

Moved to the Nurse Management forum for more responses.

djh123 · Feb 12, 2017

I was an RN house supervisor for a couple of years. I would not want to return to that position unless I was forced into it by the prospect of impending homelessness. The cons of the job included:
1. A set salary, even though I worked 12-hour night shifts
2. Regularly taking a full patient load in addition to my supervisory duties
3. Constant intervention into staff arguments and interpersonal conflicts
4. Mountains of paperwork such as audits, admission forms, consents, etc.
5. Playing the game of office politics against my will
6. Being forced to participate in the disciplinary process as a witness even if I did not agree with the written warning, suspension, or performance improvement plan that management issued to employees.

Those reasons are at least partly why I didn't take a house spvsr. position where I work, even though it would've paid about 1/3 more!

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Feb 12, 2017

I couldn't say no to the position fast enough. I believe my actual response would sound more like a resounding "HELL NO!" That has to be one of the most frustrating jobs ever invented. No way to please the higher ups and also please the floor staff. Pretty much the bone between two dogs getting chewed on from both sides.

Fortunately I work with somebody that excels at the job and I sure hope she doesn't leave any time soon.

beemrdon · Feb 13, 2017

Nothing will ever change unless people like you get the testicular fortitude to take a stand!

You are a professional VICTIM.

It is because of people like you that nursing is such a crappy profession.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2017

There are a number of reasons why employers might have frequent/numerous openings in positions like this.

1. Unrealistic expectations from upper management

2. Managers being held accountable for the effects of things over which they have no reasonable control (poor salaries, poor working conditions, understaffing, staff calling off due to burnout, etc.)

3. Having to work excessive overtime due to some of the things listed in #2

Sometimes you can make a big difference in a management position, and sometimes the deck is stacked heavily against you before you even start. I have been in both situations. Management can be the best job you ever had, or the worst. It all depends upon the employer and the dynamics surrounding the position.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2017

Nothing will ever change unless people like you get the testicular fortitude to take a stand!
You are a professional VICTIM.
It is because of people like you that nursing is such a crappy profession.

For future reference, please utilize the 'QUOTE' function so we know to whom you are responding. Thanks in advance. :)

MrChicagoRN, RN · Feb 22, 2017

Much more difficult to hire for and they still have a decent amount of turnover. Middle management sucks.

It has some positive and rewarding aspects to it, but it can get old after a few years, and I think the burnout rate is much higher compared to staff nurse. I think some of us just play musical chairs, moving from position to position.

TRacine · Mar 3, 2017

RN beware! Perhaps because there are a limited number who can truly perform without alienating their staff. The usual prerequisite is advanced education and experience. US New and World Report reported 12 years ago the proliferation of many colleges pumping out MBA or Masters degrees at an alarming rate. Many of those were grossly unqualified to be leaders! Sure enough I've worked with many of them with the MBA, MSN, MNA who had NO people skills or bypassed staff nursing entirely towards the top. In one example, all 3 shifts of a cardiac/surgical ICU fired an MSN head nurse who had totally unrealistic expectations. I ran into her a year later working as an ICU staff nurse and she acknowledged I was right to suggest she work amongst us first be be a better leader. That said I've had more leaders who nurtured, mentored, and worked side by side with us staff. I've had the few that sabotaged life-support equipment, blatantly stole PHI in quantity to support their MSN thesis, were indicted by the DEA for numerous felony counts for narcotics, or at the very least allowed dangerous/reckless clinicians to do patient care due to favoritism. It's not a perfect world but the objective credentialing and interviewing is crucial in the process of selection.

jrt4 · Mar 7, 2017

There are a number of reasons why employers might have frequent/numerous openings in positions like this.
1. Unrealistic expectations from upper management
2. Managers being held accountable for the effects of things over which they have no reasonable control (poor salaries, poor working conditions, understaffing, staff calling off due to burnout, etc.)
3. Having to work excessive overtime due to some of the things listed in #2
Sometimes you can make a big difference in a management position, and sometimes the deck is stacked heavily against you before you even start. I have been in both situations. Management can be the best job you ever had, or the worst. It all depends upon the employer and the dynamics surrounding the position.

I couldn't have said it better myself. Its a thankless job...lots of times with tireless hours. I actually enjoy being a manager but it is exhausting some days.