Another $$$ question?

Specialties Geriatric

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A friend, yes it is a friend, from out of the area is considering taking a postion as a DON but was wondering what type of salary to expect. This would be in the SW kinda Pittsburgh area. Threre are two possible positions. One is a 50 bed facility with no ADON and the other is a larger facility 150 beds with ADON invlolved. She has 15 yrs of experience in the LTC field and did work as a DON a few yrs ago.

Anyone want to shoot a ball park range?? I know it will vary by region.

I've been in nursing for a while, but no on talks $$, heck I'm clueless when they ask what a new grad should make.

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300+ views...anyone...

you can PM me to keep it private. I know no one likes to talk money, but just looking for an average.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

LoL

The only info I have for you is that my friend accepted a new job as ADON for $26/hr. She had several years experience as charge nurse. Not sure how much more a DON makes.

300+ views...anyone...

you can PM me to keep it private. I know no one likes to talk money, but just looking for an average.

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We all know that these positions are salaried, and if I remember back to the mid 90s, I worked 50-60 hours a week sometimes more and that wasn't counting work taken home.

She and I are both equal with experience (she has a year or so of med surg) but neither one of us has really toyed with the idea of DON until now...yes..she has me thinking. Both of us have done supervisory rules before so it wouldn't be a huge jump and we would know what we are getting ourselves into. (I can't believe she has me thinking)

The only aspect we are clueless on is how much compensation to expect/ ask for? Of course we are not "in it for the money" but, realizing all the time, work etc spent at work with that type of responsibility..............

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

Did you try salary.com? Or google the occupational outlook handbook? I seem to remember wages listed on that site...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Peds, Ortho, LTC and MORE.

I am in Colorado so the salary ranges here might not be what is the going rate where you are, but a 58 bed facillity is paying $65,000.00$72500.00 and a 117 bed facillity has a range of $85000 to $120,000.00 per year. Both have all the usual benefits.

Average work week is 60 plus hours a week, not mentioning items brought home to work on or the 24/7 on call.

Hope this gives you some idea of what salary range you should be looking for and asking for.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

OKAY this is off topic but experience as a supervisor doesn't really mean you're ready to be the DON. Most DONs have at least been ADONs first and if you get offered a position and you don't have years of LTC experience or at least SOME, I'd be worried.

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Capecode...I see your point and I've actually seen it happen before. Most of the time it is from nurses with a 2 or so yrs in on med/surg come in and try to run the place.

I've actually been the acting DON quite a few times and ran the building for a few months at a time each time.. The reason I never fully took the title/job was due to family responsibilities etc. I know how much time/ energy and focus is needed and wasn't able to fully commit miyself. When I was the RNAC, I was #2 in charge, but not called an ADON, but would have alot of the responsibilites of a ADON. I have 15 total yrs in LTC, 13+as an RN. She has 10.

Some places, the supervisor does act as an ADON but the tilte isn't the same.

I think you have to start somewhere, some time?

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