Directors covering open shifts

Itteh Bitteh · Jun 13, 2016

As an assistant director, I've covered 3 floor shifts, all within a week, because of a combination of nurses on vacation and out ill. This is the only time in the last 4 months that I have had to cover shifts. When it comes to getting my job done, my floor hours are not counted toward my office hours, which meant longer days and/or weekend hours to catch up.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jun 15, 2016

I was just thinking the same thing. The last 3 jobs I've discussed with recruiters have the expectation that the DON will push a cart daily and perform the duties of a DON. I've been in the business for 20+ years and a DON for the past 13 years. It's never been an expectation that the DON push a cart....of course if there were a huge emergency like a snow storm of course I'd pitch in but since I haven't done a med pass in 13 years, it would probably be unsafe for me to do one now.

We are expected to do more and more with less and less. Might be time to get out of the business.

RainRN1, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2016

It's feels like it's the norm now. I'm a new DNS and it's difficult to get down what I need for my responsibilities when I have to cover floor even the worry everyday about schedule is enough to cause a nervous breakdown. I want to be an effective DNS but thinking it's going to be impossible. I'm going to continue to plug away we shall see

Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2016

My DON has made it clear she will never cover the floor under any circumstances

RainRN1, ASN, RN · Jun 20, 2016

Not quite sure how. I feel I am responsible for the residents which means ensuring care. I know there is no way to do my job right and cover the floor. How can staff expect change and better work conditions when some of us are on the floor too much. Maybe your don is trying to improve things for ur staff which can't be done if on the floor. Idk

cgalloway · Jun 24, 2016

I have left DON jobs for just this very reason! I have been a scrub-wearing DON or a Regional Nurse for the last 18 years. I've been a nurse for 40 years. While I see all wounds, answer call lights, toilet, feed, and assist on the units, I don't feel that covering shifts is part of my duties. I've done my time and paid my dues with weekends, holidays, mandatory overtime, and long stretches with no days off. I make sure to ask before accepting any new DON job specifically if the expectation is for covering shifts, weekend manager duties, or "night owl," all deal breakers for me. I am fortunate enough to have found a nice, small home in which I intend to stay until I retire in 2 1/2 years. This is why we can't recruit and retain good DON's and nurses in long term care. If I were just starting my career, I'd be thinking seriously about a career change!

Peepershops · Jun 24, 2016

Long term care is a tough job. It's a specialty all unto its own and certainly a lot different than when I started out! Kudos to everyone who has stuck it out and continues to work in the field. I would say Geriatrics but the populations now are VERY diverse with both elderly and younger rehab patients. Very challenging indeed!

RainRN1, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2016

It's killing me. I'm ready to quit nursing all together. I've been a nurse for 18 years I've never seen staffing this bad. I know one thing I'm done working all different shifts whether it's as a nurse or an aide. How do you put your foot down when it's our responsibility to ensure resident care? I want the residents cared for I'm at a loss

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

This is a very touchy subject for me right now :rolleyes: . We are soooooo short staffed at work right now and while I'm not in on all the meetings, there seems to be little done about finding staff/ hiring. I see nothing in the job sites/ news papers etc. Agency is not being permitted. Staff nurses are forced to work OT...same with CNAs. LPNs and CNAs are unionized so there is a bit of protection for them, but it is insane.

DNS is young....leaves after and 8.5 hour day and loves to post on social media her bar hopping activities. :angrybird1: Tell me how this is OKay?? I'm talked about becasue I'm only part time, older and wiser and just say no to the extra shifts. Yes, I try to help when I can, but family situations don't permit me to work more hours.

RainRN1, ASN, RN · Jun 28, 2016

Not all directors are the same. I wish I could just work that.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jun 29, 2016

In my area, all facilities are having trouble recruiting nurses which is odd since the hospitals aren't hiring new grads.

The facility is beautiful and has a great reputation in the community. New grads should be lining up to work there. Where are they all going?

If anyone has any ideas on hiring, please post it here. New grads are the best because they have no bad habits to unlearn and they are usually younger than most of us who've been doing this forever.