Mds Nurse And Actng Don

achot chavi · Oct 22, 2008

Take a deep breath and remember your calm exterior is more important than anything- any problems can really be blamed on your predecessor and you will work on improving them.

Projecting the image that all is well and things are running smoothly is very important.

This is not the time to settle vendettas or pick sides in any internal arguments, keep the focus on doing a good job for the sake of the patients.

Keep the focus on the good of the patient and be professional - hopefully others will pick up on it.

Don't give quick answers- better to say I will get back to you (and do) than hasty inaccurate answers.

Sorry to sound opportunistic but this is the time to ask for a raise. Quietly and with dignity but if you are being asked to hold the place together - you should get what you're worth. It will motivate you to do a good job and stay in control.

Keep daily tabs on all the units and ask for updates so you wont be blindsighted. You might want daily reports by the SW or anyone else just to stay on top of whats going on.

Don't beat yourself up for not knowing something- you can always learn. Mistakes are bound to happen and just learn from them.

Lots of Luck- Keep us posted

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 22, 2008

Wow "any problems can be blamed on your predecessor?" Jeez...don't ever come work for me. Take one day at a time. Ask for help from your managers or supervisors. Is there someone else in the facility who can pick up the MDSs for a while till you get acclimated to the DNS job? Is there a corporate entity who could send some help? You can only do what you can do.

gonenutz · Oct 24, 2008

Thanks for the advise. No there is no one else in the acility familiar with MDS.The raise is in negotiations.My managers are not strong managers, they all look to me for support in their departments.We are a small company with no corporate nurse.I have a nurse consultant and that is it.I have kept my composure at work, my poor husband is the unlucky fall guy.No state yet and state has not pulled my reports from casper yet so that is a good sign.I am out on the units multiple times per day and touching base with each shift routinely and spending m weekends doing MDSs.

disney158 · Oct 24, 2008

Prioritize, delegate,...."any problems can be blamed on your predecessor?" ... I am perfectly okay with this statement, most times it is true... but fix those problems, first.. make a difference for positive change and you will be respected and worked with. it is not whiney or finding an excuse, as long a it is the truth. What a terrifying idea to be placed in the dual role you have, we know MDs is time driven, and now you have the gift of an addittional job that will swallow up all of your time like a black hole. My two cents, MDS goes to Unit Mangers or RN's with a weekly "come to Jesus meeting" with you, face to face, to be sure they are finished correctly and timely, you can do a quick check of sections that count the most, those for QI/QA and reimbursement, and that part is taken care of. The best DON's I know are those that empower their staff, appear to be incontrol and calm, and are approacheable by staff. They also delegate, and review what has been delegated, give specific time frames with specific expectations and then reward when complete, even a simple email , "thank you for a job well done and timely, I apprciate your work" goes a really a long way. Don't micro manage and think you must do everything.. good luck.....

achot chavi · Oct 26, 2008

Wow "any problems can be blamed on your predecessor?" Jeez...don't ever come work for me. Take one day at a time. Ask for help from your managers or supervisors. Is there someone else in the facility who can pick up the MDSs for a while till you get acclimated to the DNS job? Is there a corporate entity who could send some help? You can only do what you can do.

I was obviously referring to problems that were made by her predecessor including policies or decisions that were problematic. Why should she be blamed for them? I should have been clearer- of course you take responsibility for your own mistakes!!!

I was talking out of experience- when I accepted my first ADON position, we were inspected and failed on my second day of orientation, I left a week later realizing that the policies and decisions were so erroneous and lacking ethical and moral base that I didn't want to be associated with the facility. I should have done better homework checking out the place, my mistake.

Regarding your remark "...don't ever come work for me"... I wouldn't want to work for anyone who jumps to conclusions like that- there are always two sides to every coin and it is worth the patience to verify and investigate what on the surface looks like something different. We are all in the same boat here- lets not get too personal.

I hope this cleared things up for you.

gonenutz · Oct 27, 2008

I am not one that takes things personally.I do have experience as an ADON, I have just never had to do the two roles together. As I said before we are a small corporation and it is not in my budget to have unit managers so that is not an option for me. I have encluded my staff and we have pointed out the areas and policies that are in need of improvement and I have put them in a QA process. Unfortunately my nurses do not have the time to do any extras and they get thanks and appreciation each day that the are on duty. I would not be able to do my job if it wasn't for my line staff.I do not want to place blame on anyone, I just want was is best for my facility. As I have told my administrator it will take time but we will get where we need to be it just will take some time. As for state they pulled my information from casper on the 24th, so I am expecting them tomorrow. thanks for the advice and I will let you all know how it goes.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 27, 2008

Good luck with your survey. I'm sure you'll do fine.

achot chavi · Oct 27, 2008

I can sympathize with your husband- I am sure youre working urself 2 the bone, promise to take a vacation when all the dust settles and make it up to him. Best of luck on the survey- they are so lucky to have you!!!