DON position...great opportunity, or career suicide?

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Apr 30, 2017

I'm not sure how much you think you should be making.

You have very little experience in long term care and the DON is not an easy position. It's all consuming if you do it correctly so if you don't like what you're doing, you'll burn out quickly. It's not the type of job to take just to have on your resume. Just my 2 cents worth and since I've been a DON for 10+ years, my 2 cents is worth at least that :nurse:

caliotter3 · Apr 30, 2017

Where I used to live, the LTC facilities were, at one time, a meat grinder for management staff. One Director, who had a PhD, got that position when she was told "you're it" when the previous DON walked off the job. In no time at all the State came in on a special investigation in addition to their regular visit. The woman writhed in place until she could take no more, then she, too, resigned. Nobody was surprised. Just make certain you are not walking into a devil's bed of problems. That would probably not be beneficial to you and would not be worth the aggravation.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 3, 2017

My experience has been that LTC DONs generally don't last very long in the position. It is a revolving door. You are basically responsible for everything on the nursing end - including covering for vacant positions and people who call in by working it yourself. These places tend to underpay, so they are always short of staff.

I worked in one LTC place for 90 days and I was under four DONs. I was the only RN on a 120-bed unit on my shift, and during the first six weeks I was also passing meds on a 40-bed hallway because we were short an LPN.

cosmicmama, BSN, RN · May 5, 2017

Thanks all, I declined the offer. It seemed like a great facility with happy staff, but my gut was telling me not to do it. Appreciate the words.

Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2017

Wow, what an eye opener! I just accepted my first position (PRN) in a LTC/rehab facility and I wondered how much education the DON job needed. I have 2 years of bedside MedSurg experience that I am still building upon. I have always been afraid of management in these type of facilities due to being forced to be on call and the salary pay. Are there any LCT/rehab facilities that don't require upper management to cover shifts?

DawnadonRN · Sep 15, 2017

I just got the position of ADON at a LTC facility. I have an associates degree in nursing. Our previous DON was in that position for 16 years before taking a different position. We are currently short staffed but we do not have to fill in for call ins unless we just want to