Applied for ADON and DON is a new nurse

[BoomerRN]

Recently, I applied for the position of ADON at a nursing home. I have been to three interviews--one with the DON, one with the administrator and one with the corporate nurse. I have about 25 years experience working in longterm care. The concern I have is the DON is a new nurse and has admitted not knowing very much about longterm care and would like to hire someone who has the experience so she can learn from that person. This place has 109 beds and the DON mentioned she had worked 3 shifts that week due to call ins. The DON is not supposed to work as a charge nurse if there are over 60 beds. She didn't know this and the administrator didn't tell her.

I'm not sure if I want this position now, as I am worried about the liability that may be involved and other things.

What are your thoughts? Thanks.

[expltcrn]

are you looking for an adon job or a don job? any reason you aren't seeking the don position instead? (of course there are many i can think of). but perhaps it should be something for you to consider.

i think every supervisor (new or old) should all be taught the rules for interviewing - the legal aspects and all. we all know there is a nursing shortage, but there is a rapidly growing shortage of nurse managers including dons as well. hence, many ltcs are having a hard time filling in the gaps.

good luck to you. hopefully you will find your place somewhere!

[BoomerRN]

I am at the stage of my life where I can pick and choose what I want to do. I do not have to work for a living, but I am looking for a position such as ADON. I have been a DON a few times, as well as a ADON, and I prefer being able to work directly with staff and residents. I've always been a 'hands on person' and this position lets me have a lot of input on resident care.

Here's an update on the facility that I interviewed for the ADON: They still do not have an ADON and are still advertising for one. I wonder if it's because when people find out that the DON is a new nurse, they become disinterested? You think?

[expltcrn]

Perhaps. Were you able to spend enough time to gauge the DON's interest in keeping her position and her desire to learn? I only ask that because I was one of those too, trained to be a DON right out of nursing school when I could not even be legally qualified by state regulations to do so. However, the RN Administrator and Owner (also with DON experience) trained me well from the get go in all the facets of running a skilled nursing facility, as well as the process of taking over facility ownership. But I was given a different title until I got more experience, and worked the floor too of course! If you feel that the rest of the team can function well (i.e. Social Services and Dietary, MDS) and you can actually be (if she lets you) mentor the DON, would you reconsider applying? How is the performance of the facility itself by reputation, and by regulatory findings?