DON or ADON

Trauma Columnist · Sep 9, 2006

The knowledge base needed for LTC management positions nowadays is a lot. However, I live in central IL and know many facilities are desperate and offering management jobs to new grads. Approx salary is $40-60 for ADON/DON - I'm taking this from published salary ranges in my Sunday paper. (I live near Peoria, IL).

Questions to ask BEFORE accepting position:

1. Can I see a copy of your last state survey?

2. How many CNA's do you have for your residents?

3. What is the average length of time of employment for your CNA's?

4. What is your discharge rate for pts rehabilitated and returned to home?

5. What kind of training will I receive? Needs to be specific management training in addition to orientation.

6. Call time and pay for the call?

Just some things I thought up off the top of my head. Some of the LTC nurses will be along with better suggestions.

futurecrnatobe · Sep 9, 2006

The knowledge base needed for LTC management positions nowadays is a lot. However, I live in central IL and know many facilities are desperate and offering management jobs to new grads. Approx salary is $40-60 for ADON/DON - I'm taking this from published salary ranges in my Sunday paper. (I live near Peoria, IL).
Questions to ask BEFORE accepting position:
1. Can I see a copy of your last state survey?
2. How many CNA's do you have for your residents?
3. What is the average length of time of employment for your CNA's?
4. What is your discharge rate for pts rehabilitated and returned to home?
5. What kind of training will I receive? Needs to be specific management training in addition to orientation.
6. Call time and pay for the call?
Just some things I thought up off the top of my head. Some of the LTC nurses will be along with better suggestions.

Thank you so much. That helps a lot. Could you please elaborate more on point number four and six " What is your discharge rate for pts rehabilitation and return to home" Has this got to do with census? For call time and pay for call, what if they do not pay for call time and pay for call in management, is it a bad indicator or good?

micco · Sep 10, 2006

I think it would be a mistake for you to accept a DON position as a new nurse. I have worked in a nursing home for over a year. To be sucessful as a DON, you need experience not just working as a nurse but also management experience. I think the discharge rate is how many pts who come to the facility for rehab are actually discharged home. this has alot to do with census. if you have a 90% discharge rate for rehab pts well you have fluctuation of the census. I would also wonder about turnover rates of the nursing staff. being a DON is not a job for a new grad.