Can I be a DON with no nursing home experience?

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

I've been an inpatient psychiatric RN for adults and geriatrics for 14 years. I just applied for a DON position at a nursing home. I only have a ASN. Job posting said BSN preferred, but not required. Do you think this is a role I could learn as I go, or do you think I would be way over my head given my lack of nursing home, management and experience with following medicare guidelines? Any tips or information that would help me prepare?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Psych.

Just accepted my first job in LTC to see if I like it. Also working at the bedside in a hospital, but trying to see where I see myself in the future! Thanks for all the good advice everyone!

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Specializes in EMS, LTC, Sub-acute Rehab.
I'm sure there are LTCs that would hire an RN with no LTC experience or management experience to be DON, but they sure wouldn't be doing those nurses any favors.

Or the nurses who have to work for them.

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