Director of Nursing- When is enough, enough.

Red Kryptonite · May 24, 2015

Sounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work, I can get job descriptions, P&P, etc from our intranet. Does your company have anything like that?

If not, then you and your boss need to come up with a job description for you. It's hard to measure success if you don't know what you're responsible for. But also, if more and more and more is getting dumped in your lap, you should be able to tell whether it's yours or belongs to someone else's job description, so you can hand it off to them.

Don't complain, but do say that you're being pulled in many directions and need a job description so you know where your focus should be. This is your first time in this role, so if you have no definition of what it looks like, how are you supposed to succeed at it? Just frame it that way, that you need help maximizing your effectiveness. HTH

sain · May 25, 2015

Sounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work.
. HTH

Thank you for the response Kryptonite.

I have actually created my own job description (based on the two week orientation that I had), There were none in place before me. I worked in the company as a field nurse, so I already knew most of the policy and procedures ( which helped me survive the transition).

I believe that's part of the reason the last Director left, she grew with the company and the job descriptions grew with her until it became too much. She highly recommended me, and warned me that there would be a lot of work, but to get all the experience that I could ( Just didn't know it would be this much).

I pretty much work 12 hour days and weekend just to ensure that I don't fall behind, and not to mention the 24/7 on call.

The company that I work for is growing rapidly, and it seems that because of this growth the demands on me is getting more and more.

I have asked for an assistant, but my supervisor ( Also know as the Executive Vice president of the company) laughed at me, and asked me "If I was overwhelmed" and "If I didn't think I could handle the job". He used intimidation techniques knowing full well that it wasn't about being overwhelmed, its merely about me doing a three person job and not getting any help.

(I feel pretty helpless in the situation, Its an awesome experience and I love what I do. Just wish I had helped and support). **Maybe this thread was more of a vent for me.

scottaprn · May 25, 2015

I have asked for an assistant, but my supervisor ( Also know as the Executive Vice president of the company) laughed at me, and asked me "If I was overwhelmed" and "If I didn't think I could handle the job". He used intimidation techniques knowing full well that it wasn't about being overwhelmed, its merely about me doing a three person job and not getting any help.

No Sir I don't feel overwhelmed but I do feel that it is important that we continue to provide support to our nurses and outstanding care to our patients. Due to the amazing job the company is doing we have grown tremendously. That means that the DON position has changed from managing ___ nurses and ____ patients to ____ nurses and ____ patients. The only way to provide superior care and to keep growth at this rate is to expand the management team from 1 person.

dishes, BSN, RN · May 25, 2015

The executive vice president is not going to improve your situation, he doesn't respect you, get out before you burnt out.

VANurse2010 · May 25, 2015

O Dear. F That S___

sain · May 25, 2015

No Sir I don't feel overwhelmed but I do feel that it is important that we continue to provide support to our nurses and outstanding care to our patients. Due to the amazing job the company is doing we have grown tremendously. That means that the DON position has changed from managing ___ nurses and ____ patients to ____ nurses and ____ patients. The only way to provide superior care and to keep growth at this rate is to expand the management team from 1 person.

Typically I can come up with a comment like this...However I'm in a rocky position, of no prior experience as DON, and building my experience now. I feel he knows this and that is why so much is being thrown at me, ( he knows I won't leave, because I need this right now).

But I will copy your statement and memorize it for my one year mark- I can hopefully flex some muscles by then :)

sain · May 25, 2015

The executive vice president is not going to improve your situation, he doesn't respect you, get out before you burnt out.

your 100 percent right!

Nurses in general don't seem to be to respected in the developmental disability division that i'm in. I'm working on changing that right now, thats why quitting is not an option for me.

But they also see the hard worker that I am, and more so that I have something to prove, so they pile on the work.

Sometimes I get pulled to do some of his work- Such as signing off on certain billing, preparing executive responses for him ( so that he can review and sign off like its his). Attending certain meeting in his place. Just to name a few ( All things that prepare me for the future, but nonetheless removes me from the time that I could be allocating to my own work).

Sometimes I feel like they are watching me and wondering how much can we make her do before she breaks ( I'm to stubborn to break), but I don't want to be the fool either.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 25, 2015

You work for a for profit company that is working you like a mule to boost the corporate bottom dollar.

Take your knowledge, experience and dedication and run.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 25, 2015

Sounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work, I can get job descriptions, P&P, etc from our intranet. Does your company have anything like that?
If not, then you and your boss need to come up with a job description for you. It's hard to measure success if you don't know what you're responsible for. But also, if more and more and more is getting dumped in your lap, you should be able to tell whether it's yours or belongs to someone else's job description, so you can hand it off to them.
Don't complain, but do say that you're being pulled in many directions and need a job description so you know where your focus should be. This is your first time in this role, so if you have no definition of what it looks like, how are you supposed to succeed at it? Just frame it that way, that you need help maximizing your effectiveness. HTH

Such amazingly wise words from a nursing assistant.

sain · May 25, 2015

Take your knowledge, experience and dedication and run.

Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks.

sain · May 25, 2015

Thank you everyone for your wise words and encouragement.

Sometimes, I drive myself crazy thinking to myself "Is this the way its supposed to be?" or "Is it truly me that can't handle the job". But NO, its not meet, I'm giving 200 percent of myself, and sacrificing my personal life, and my time with my family. It can't be me.

So thank you again everyone.