I'm director of nursing for a company (in Developmental disability division), and I love what I do, however I have no assistant, and I supervise 20 nurses, and over see the complete medical care and well being of over 300 individuals.
I'm on call 24/7, and it seems to me that I have an open job description that never ends. Every other day a new task gets added to my job description.
This is my first experience in this position so I have not to complain (and quiet honestly, I'm afraid to complain), but I can't help but feel that I am being taken advantage of. I don't quiet know what to do (Im definitely not quitting).
I just wish I had more understanding of what the limitations are, so I can focus on doing my job effectively.
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Are you eating nutritiously?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you spending time with family and friends?
Do you do something for yourself regularly?
Are you gaining or losing weight?
Are you happy more than you're not happy?
Do you feel nervous about your work more than you don't?
Do you feel you are getting enough from your job to warrant staying with it?
Do you feel respected at work?
Please think about these things. The things you wrote seem to be saying you're on a path to burn out or worse. Your health isn't worth doing all you're doing...truly!
Specializes in Developmental disability, Psychiatry.
Why are you being so passive?
I know that sounds harsh, but it sounds like you are in DEEP denial and need a verbal slap to wake you up.
YOU ARE ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
My God, just look at all of the excuses you have posted already that would prevent you from changing.
Okay,
1. Yes, I am passive to some extent, but I hardly think that 7 months of DON experience will get me another DON job position so quick ( So that's why i'm hanging on).
2. Verbal slap--- Not really needed, because I already have acknowledge what the truth is--I am in deed being taken advantage.
3. Allowing myself to be taken advantage---- Yes. I am....I feel like I have to, FOR NOW. But no, i'm not a fool, i'm only buying my time.
4. Excuses to prevent change----- In general I love what I do- I don't love the conditioned that i'm forced to do it in---I love the field i'm in--- I don't love the lack of support---But I have already implemented changes that will help improve the circumstances, such as hiring more full time nurses, and allocating more responsibility and accountability to the nurses that I supervise.
In conclusion-- I'm in a "F"-Up situation, and my thread definitely generated some much needed word of encouragement and advice, that I will certainly input into my worklife.
1. Yes, I am passive to some extent, but I hardly think that 7 months of DON experience will get me another DON job position so quick ( So that's why i'm hanging on).
2. Verbal slap--- Not really needed, because I already have acknowledge what the truth is--I am in deed being taken advantage.
3. Allowing myself to be taken advantage---- Yes. I am....I feel like I have to, FOR NOW. But no, i'm not a fool, i'm only buying my time.
4. Excuses to prevent change----- In general I love what I do- I don't love the conditioned that i'm forced to do it in---I love the field i'm in--- I don't love the lack of support---But I have already implemented changes that will help improve the circumstances, such as hiring more full time nurses, and allocating more responsibility and accountability to the nurses that I supervise.
In conclusion-- I'm in a "F"-Up situation, and my thread definitely generated some much needed word of encouragement and advice, that I will certainly input into my worklife.
Thanks.
You're welcome!
1) You are just as qualified as you were when you applied for this job, plus you now have seven months of experience in the position. I would say it will be easier to get another DON position.
2) I'm glad.
3) I understand you feel you have to, but I believe you are dead wrong. You are teaching your VP that you don't value yourself and to treat you like SH–– poop.
4) I'm glad you are doing what you can. I hope you can turn this position around to where it doesn't suck, but I believe you will have to do some hard thinking and look at things from a perspective of power, versus a position of submission.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hi everyone.
I'm director of nursing for a company (in Developmental disability division), and I love what I do, however I have no assistant, and I supervise 20 nurses, and over see the complete medical care and well being of over 300 individuals.
I'm on call 24/7, and it seems to me that I have an open job description that never ends. Every other day a new task gets added to my job description.
This is my first experience in this position so I have not to complain (and quiet honestly, I'm afraid to complain), but I can't help but feel that I am being taken advantage of. I don't quiet know what to do (Im definitely not quitting).
I just wish I had more understanding of what the limitations are, so I can focus on doing my job effectively.
I'
What you describe is exactly why I left ICF nursing! Get out before you go completly crazy
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
The problem is I am new to being a DON. I need at least 2 years experience in that role to build a strong resume. I worked very hard to get the position, that is why I can not just give it up.
I worked in this area of nursing for 6 years. The pay is not that great when you figure the hours you put into it.These companies rely primarilly on Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursment and due to reductions in reimbursment (20% in California) and the ACA requiring costly new web based charting systems these ecompanies are trying to boost revenue by accepting new consumers (patients). Nurses in this industry put their license at risk every day because it's the only health care field that allows unlicensed care staff to pass medication under the RN's license. They chew nurses up and spit them out. I ultimately left after developing Ulcerative colitis for which I was hospitalized twice and two hospitalizations for chest pain. I am Back at school to get my BSN then plan to go into private consulting.
You do not have to do that job for two years to get another DON position. Most of the healthcare industry does not value ICF-DDN/DDH experience on your resume. Better to get a junior management position in clinical setting. Do you have a BSN? Why not go back into psych nursing?
What if after two years of working seven days a week and being on call 24/7, you move on to your next DON position and it is no better? I think you should take off your rose colored glasses and see that work life balance is the path to happiness, not workaholism.
Specializes in Developmental disability, Psychiatry.
I worked in this area of nursing for 6 years. The pay is not that great when you figure the hours you put into it.These companies rely primarilly on Medicare and Medicaid for reimbursment and due to reductions in reimbursment (20% in California) and the ACA requiring costly new web based charting systems these ecompanies are trying to boost revenue by accepting new consumers (patients). Nurses in this industry put their license at risk every day because it's the only health care field that allows unlicensed care staff to pass medication under the RN's license. They chew nurses up and spit them out. I ultimately left after developing Ulcerative colitis for which I was hospitalized twice and two hospitalizations for chest pain. I am Back at school to get my BSN then plan to go into private consulting.
You do not have to do that job for two years to get another DON position. Most of the healthcare industry does not value ICF-DDN/DDH experience on your resume. Better to get a junior management position in clinical setting. Do you have a BSN? Why not go back into psych nursing?
Hppy
Wow, thank you for sharing your experience with me. Your right the pay is horrible for the amount of work that I do.
It is a risky job, in regards to having the unlicensed staff give medication under the nurses license.
I do have a BSN, but I didn't enjoy psych. I enjoy the management/leadership role. I thought that I needed 2 years experience based on what I read when I did job searches, but thanks for the new information.
I will take everyone advice into consideration and do what I must do, because I truly don't see the longevity of this job for me.
Specializes in Developmental disability, Psychiatry.
I think you should take off your rose colored glasses and see that work life balance is the path to happiness, not workaholism.
I think its so funny that you said that, because my coworkers and I was just talking about work life balance and its importance, and how we lack any separation from work and life because of the 24/7 on call status.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Sain, I gather you're in some aspect of home health? My husband is in that area, and the turnover among middle/upper management is ridiculous. I'd be willing to bet that if you spruced up your resume to include your 7 months of DON experience and posted it on Monster or Careerbuilder, you'd be getting calls tomorrow.
Whispera, MSN, RN
3,458 Posts
Are you eating nutritiously?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you spending time with family and friends?
Do you do something for yourself regularly?
Are you gaining or losing weight?
Are you happy more than you're not happy?
Do you feel nervous about your work more than you don't?
Do you feel you are getting enough from your job to warrant staying with it?
Do you feel respected at work?
Please think about these things. The things you wrote seem to be saying you're on a path to burn out or worse. Your health isn't worth doing all you're doing...truly!