ADON pay scale

Published

Hi everyone,

I am interviewing for an ADON position and was wondering what an average salary would be. I know there are many variables that go into determining salary, so I will tell you what I know so far. First, I have 6 years charge nurse experience, No ADON experience. The facility is 50 beds and is in Massachusetts. I am sure I will be expected to take call.

Thanks!

$26/hr in a 108-bed facility. Not a salaried position (though the DON is a salaried position at this place.) I'm actually kind of like an assistant to the assistant DON at this point. She wanted to cut her hours so I stand in for her several days a week. I don't know if the idea is that she will teach me to do her job because she wants to move to another position in the facility or what (they are talking about specializing in wounds and then will need a wound care specialist, which is what she is), but I'm grateful for the hours.

I would be ineterested to know what the ADON is actually making, but I won't be nosey. I know she is paid by the hour like I am.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

My ADON makes about $62K in a 100 bed facility. She works 4 - 10's as we all do so we can spend quality time outsidethe facility. She normally puts in about 42-43 hours / week salaried.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
New ADON with 3 years ICU experience and no LTC - started at $62,000/year.

Good luck in your new position, where are you working (state wise)? How many beds? How many SNF,or acute care? How many other ADON's with you?

How is it going?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Level 1 Trauma Center & LTC.

Wow, I feel so underpaid. LOL Southern Illinois area....$22.50hr/salary. Take call every other week, (by my request) otherwise it would be every day. 1 more week vacation, and I get the day after thanksgiving off? I guess to go shopping. LOL...I had to beg for the 50cents. I took a paycut coming from a level one trauma center at $26/hr, to a floor nurse on nights at $19/hr. Then when they offered me this position, well, a little at a time i guess.

It was a decision I had made to be close to the kids school, otherwise I had almost an hour commute. Now I live 2 miles away. Been ADON for almost a year. And the corporation is now on a wage increase freeze for this year so no more increments for anyone. :-(

Morale is down. Needless to say. :crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, unfortunately, never paid what you're worth!

I was the DON at a correctional facility for several years. The evening shift nurses made more than me when you counted their differential!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC.

Wow! I make close to 26/hour as a unit supervisor-I KNOW my ADON/DONs are making much more than me. It is a larger facility with a sub-acute unit, there are three units and 160 beds. Don't know if that makes a difference, but WOW!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, PACU, Corrections, cardiac.
New ADON with 3 years ICU experience and no LTC - started at $62,000/year.

I just interviewed for an ADON position at a 120 bed LTC/Rehab facility. I have very little LTC experience and it was 20 years ago. I've been charge nurse in a couple different units. Figure this can't be much different but it's GOT to be easier on my body than 12 hours at a flat out run! :jester:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
I just interviewed for an ADON position at a 120 bed LTC/Rehab facility. I have very little LTC experience and it was 20 years ago. I've been charge nurse in a couple different units. Figure this can't be much different but it's GOT to be easier on my body than 12 hours at a flat out run! :jester:

Lots of luck with it, I am sure you will do fine, it is easier on the body and you should be using your staff management skills as well as patient care skills to good use. Just make sure you pace yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Your LTC experience was 'very little' and 20 years ago? Sorry but I don't think I'd hire you to be an ADON. And as for it being easier....I've done both and at the end of the day, the 12 hour shift was less stressful than being 2nd in command of a large building. But, good luck anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, PACU, Corrections, cardiac.
Your LTC experience was 'very little' and 20 years ago? Sorry but I don't think I'd hire you to be an ADON. And as for it being easier....I've done both and at the end of the day, the 12 hour shift was less stressful than being 2nd in command of a large building. But, good luck anyway.

And wrong you were. I start in two weeks, would take me sooner if my current employer would let me go early. Actually there are TWO ADON's and the DON in this rehab/LTC facility. I'm looking forward to it. Leaving ER with it's major click and 12 hour/no lunch shifts will be a dream come true!!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

How was I wrong? I said I wouldn't hire you...I didn't say someone else wouldn't hire you. Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Our new DONs LTC experience was 17 years ago, and boy does it show. Take my advice and listen to the other nurses that have been working LTC recently, and don't get into that "I'm in charge and have to know everything when someone asks" mode. The ones that do that make themselves look foolish. It takes time to orient yourself to the changes in LTC and just get back into the groove. It does come back, however, some things never change. Its been a year since I came back to LTC and I still learn something that has changed at least once a week. Good Luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion