Taking the Program Supervisor position sounded like a step forward in my career. I was ready to work hard and learn. What I wasn’t prepared for was being handed a set of keys, shown where the office was, and basically left to figure everything out on my own.
There was no real training. No walkthrough of procedures. No clear explanation of expectations. I was expected to just *know* how to handle scheduling systems, documentation requirements, staff conflicts, state regulations, family concerns — all of it. And when I didn’t magically know how to do something I had never been shown, the response wasn’t support. It was frustration. It’s incredibly discouraging to be set up without guidance and then made to feel incompetent for not knowing what no one taught you.
The stress level is constant. Call-outs happen almost daily, which means you’re either begging people to come in, covering shifts yourself, or trying to juggle direct care responsibilities while still somehow managing all the administrative work. There’s no breathing room. You go home exhausted, replaying the day in your head, already anxious about tomorrow.
For the amount of responsibility placed on this role, the pay simply doesn’t match. You’re responsible for staff morale, compliance, crisis management, scheduling, communication with families, and keeping the program running smoothly — often with little backup. It feels like you’re expected to carry everything on your shoulders while being told to “figure it out.”
I wanted to succeed here. I wanted to grow with this program. But it’s hard to thrive in an environment where you’re given no tools, little support, constant pressure, and compensation that doesn’t reflect the weight of the job. This role could be so much better with proper training and real support — but as it stands, it feels overwhelming and honestly defeating.
