Stay as an ADON in LTC or go back to being a hospital staff nurse in specialty field?

Published Oct 23, 2013

2 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Gerontology, Management.

I have been in nursing for over 24 years working my way through the ranks (CNA, LPN, RN, BSN) and have worked in a wide variety of areas from home care, long term care, LTAC, and Oncology. I am currently working as an ADON (promoted in June from a unit manager) in a long term care facility that part of a national organization. However, I graduated with a dual masters last December (MSN/MHA) and I am ready to grow and expand.

Upper management has been giving me the run around regarding training to advance to either a DON or start training our company provides to become an administrator. In the last year our facility has gone through 5 administrators (3 were company floaters) and 3 DONs (1 was a floater and our current is one that comes in to "clean up"). I've been with this company for almost 3 years and it's nice, but doesn't offer much in the way of comraderyor opportunities to keep skills or knowledge up to date, unless you want to learn about Medicare laws that change.

My prior job was as a fill in charge nurse and staff nurse on an inpatient oncology unit for the night shift. It was very busy and the staff were more like family than just co-workers. We were constantly receiving training to keep up to date with new techniques, medications, or equipment. However, it was certainly busy and stressful too. I was at this job for 2.5 years and have the chance to go back to it now as a return new hire and work back up to that position. This hospital has several satellite campuses and the oncology services is 1 of only 4 in our state and 1 of only 95 in the nation.

My question is, which would be a better or faster option for future career growth? I enjoy both jobs but want to advance and do so in the type of company that will be most beneficial for climbing the ladder to success.