Any advice / direction for a new Hospice DON

For profit or not for profit?

Treat your staff well. Treat your patients like your family. There are many excellent books on hospice and palliative care. There good books on building teams. Don't forsake the staff management component of your position...building healthy and functional teams is a huge part of delivery of quality hospice care. Good luck!

I agree, having been on both sides of the team. I would not want to be a manager again, but I respect those who do want that job. Our team is like a family mostly, but you'll always have one or two who don't play fair. We have fun days every once in a while to relieve stress, bereave the team and build relationships. Remember birthdays, put them on your team calendar if only to say happy birthday. Feed them occassionally if the budget allows or involve your volunteers, they love to bake. Importantly, listen to all sides. I once was written up for some stupid thing , but the boss did not know the entire story and when she heard my side she ripped it up. That bothered me more than anything else, she shot from the hip before I could tell my side. I have worked for this organization 9 years and am one of her best. Get all of the facts, that would be important to me. The team deals with so many dysfunctional families that we can just sometimes need to vent and be off the record, no fear of reprisals. Treat everyone fairly, there cannot be anyone treated special from the others. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.