DON Positions

I currently started a job in a LTC facility as an MDS Coordinator. While I'm excited to learn the postion, I met some nurses who believe I should try for the DON job they have open. I'll be receiving my MS in the next month, have about 4 years acute care experience before leaving staff nursing to take a CM position for the last couple years. While it was a tough decision to leave acute care, I believe LTC has so many more opportunities.

At first I shot down the idea of my taking the DON job, but then after thinking about it, am wondering if I should consider it. While I need to learn more of the rules and regs in LTC, my concern is being away from bedside nursing for a couple years. Can I handle that part of it? I've seen some DONs who end up having terrible nursing skills, but are great with budgets and managing issues that come up. I suppose the clinical part would all come back to me. Perhaps my biggest fear is that some of the staff are horrendous! I hate the idea of having to be responsible for them.

Is this idea of being a DON just a dream? Any suggestions?