[village people]

I have been offered a DON position with the stipulation that I can bring on a clinical specialist/ADON, RD, and MDS supervisor, and specialized training with coporate/regional support for at least 6 months. I have worked as a house sup in acute care. Would appreciate any feedback.

[schroeders_piano]

I'm currently a DON. It SUCKS with a capital S. It is the worse job that I have ever been in. I am seriously praying that I can find a different job ASAP.

[CapeCodMermaid]

Originally Posted by village people

I have been offered a DON position with the stipulation that I can bring on a clinical specialist/ADON, RD, and MDS supervisor, and specialized training with coporate/regional support for at least 6 months. I have worked as a house sup in acute care. Would appreciate any feedback.

House sup to DNS in LTC???????????????????????? Good luck. If you don't have many years of LTC experience, you won't be able to do it. The responsibilities are very different as are the regs.
When I was the nurse manager of a very busy sub acute unit, I had to visit a family member in an ICU. Of course it was an emergency so I went in my scrubs. The nurse asked me where I worked and when I told her she said "I tried sub acute and couldn't do it...too many patients, too many regulations...one guy is about to code and someone is yelling because they missed their appointment with the hairdresser!" She said her job was much easier.
They are two different worlds...that plus they want you to bring an ADNS, RD, and MDS expert with you. If the facility needs all those key players, it wouldn't be a good place for your first DNS job.
Think long and hard before you accept.

[Blackcat99]

I have worked at my present job for 1 year. There have been 2 state inspections. Both of the DON's were fired after each inspection.

[village people]

Does it help if I am currently a Long-term care state regulator that is SQMT qualified?

[CapeCodMermaid]

Originally Posted by village people

Does it help if I am currently a Long-term care state regulator that is SQMT qualified?

nope.

[Upstate NY DON]

the DON position is extremely stressful, you are blamed for EVERYTHING. the position takes away from your spouses and kids. You are always stressed as you work 24/7. the key to all of the above is a fair/considerate/understanding/team play of an Administrator! without that, you are shark meat waiting to be eaten.

[Upstate NY DON]

the average DON stay is 2 years in NY. Shortage of staff, underpay, and the neglect of your family and the need for psychiatric intervention at some point is the reason for the short length of stay in that position. Plus its seldom you find good people to work with. someone is always blaming you or trying to get you fired. DON is a horrible position. But surprisingly to me, its what i want to do (I love administrative work and a nice office) it usually takes me about 24hours and i forget the Bull chit and horrible people that i work with and I am back to enjoying what I do. (thanks to some Ativan). I think what i need most is a support group of other DON's

[Neats]

I agree with Upstate NY DON in saying that team work is the key. As a LNHA and student nurse I stay out of my DON's way and ask what can I do to make your job easier? Sometimes it is bringing my DON my homemade chicken tamales.
I've been in good facilities and facilities that need improvement. Even the good facilities had challenges it just wasn't so bad when you work with great people.
I applaud anyone whose position is ADON or DON you are worth your weight in gold.