Working as a supervisor

[lmonet82]

I need advice from some of you nurses who have been working as a nursing supervisor as a long time. I am a RN workking in a NH . I am 24 yrs old, younger than anyone I work with I supervise 4 LPN and 10-12 cna at any given time. My problem is that I would like to have a good working rapport with everyone I work with, but when it's time for me to do rounds on residents, or question another workers whereabouts there seems to be so much tension , to the point I feel I am doing something wrong. They almost seem offended that I want to check their halls to make sure there residents are properly kept. How do I deal with this issue, while remaing respectful and still being professional?

[LoriAlabamaRN]

I've explained to my staff that the rounds I do and the reports I fill out on turn schedules, call light answering times, etc are not to try to catch them in doing something wrong but so I can prove they are doing their jobs if I am questioned.

[littlecheese]

What I have done is shown the staff the data collection tools we use. This applies to both hospital and LTC. I have asked them to each to do one which then opens their eyes to what my job is all about.

[fgoff]

IMonet82,

I agree with littlecheese, let them know what task you are charged with... and the role they play in it... also be sure to that you let them know that you will always be fair & assist them to do thier jobs so that the patients need are meet

Best of luck !

[MU/WVUGRADRN]

Just an idea:

Occasionally make your rounds WITH the staff person. Just say something like "Let's make rounds and see how things are with your patients" or "Would you like to go with me as I make rounds?"

Use this as an opportunity to discuss what you see on your rounds. It can be an opportunity to teach your staff what you are looking for and what is best for the patient. It will also give the staff person an opportunity to talk to you about things they may be doing differently that may work for the patient. It is sort of like discussing the patient's plan of care.

Hopefully the staff will not see you as a manager who is "checking up" on them, but as someone who wants to work WITH them to meet standards that you know must be met. They will also not be as paranoid when you make rounds alone. They will just see it as part of your job - a part they can be made a part of. Good luck. Managing people is not easy. Staff members are looking for fairness and respect.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

you have to realize that this tension that you feel goes two ways and that a good half of it belongs to you. you also need to realize that making rounds is a part of your responsibility. unfortunately, being aware of people being offended goes with the territory. is it possible that in your own past this may go back to your own feeling of offensiveness you harbored toward supervisors or people in authority? now, before you want to start throwing things at me and calling me names, really take some time to think about that question because some of that tension you feel is self-created and comes from within yourself from somewhere. one of the very first lessons i came to learn as a supervisor was that it is better to first educate before pointing a finger and accusing and writing people up for doing their jobs incorrectly. that is the respectful way to handle employees who are trying to do their jobs correctly as well as remaining friendly and personable at the same time. so, i always try to put on a professional appearance of being friendly, personable, kind of nothing bothers me (at least not showing on the outside) attitude which makes me more approachable, hopefully. still, there will always be employees who will treat you differently just because you are their boss. i will act like i am part of the staff even when there are clearly those who are snubbing me. i just ignore them because it is their problem, not mine. it has to do with their deep rooted attitudes toward authority and it is unlikely that you will ever be able to change them. as you become more familiar with your job responsibilities and more confident with what you are doing, these feelings you are having will become less important. right now, you are longing for acceptance by the staff and that is something that is only going to come with time. you need to recognize that this need for acceptance is one of emotion and need for human interaction and acceptance and has nothing to do with your actual job duties.