DON position offer / feel unequiped/need advice

[ame222]

I have been filling in as Interim DON for several months. I was asked to do it, it's not something I necessarily would have wanted, however in many ways it's made me a better person, much stronger and I realize I am able to cope with much more than I ever gave myself credit for. They weren't able to hire one as soon as they thought and several lined up rescinded their offer. I have been offered (almost pressured) to take the DON position by upper management, Administration. I have been an ER, Acute care nurse for many years, in Long Term for a little more than 5 years. I do not feel I have the knowledge required for this position and the more I realize the seriousness of the responsibility, I don't think I would be the fit they are looking for. I am very strong Clinically and am very organized,. I feel challenged in multi-tasking and have a great relationship with the entire staff at the facility. Eventhough many think I should and could do it, I feel my knowledge is inadequate to do the job justice. I think the person in that position should already know what is required and any corporation wouldn't accept the excuse "I didn't know, I didn't do that on purpose, I'm still learning." I am currently a VERY BUSY Clinical Care Coordinator, plus taking on many extra jobs as the Interim DON, which makes my days very long. Many days I'm working 10-12 hours before I finish up. Where many commend me that I am doing a great job, I still feel I lack knowledge that is mandatory in that position. The thought of accepting the position, then failing at it (like I have watched many before me do) would be totally devastating to me. Can anyone enlighten and advise me on this. I would like to hear of your past and present experiences with this position and what type of person you think it takes to REALLY succeed at it. I would like to hear the advice and suggestions anyone might have on this. Thankyou.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I've been a nurse for 27 (yikes) years, in long term care for 17 and a DNS for a little more than 3 years. Did I feel ready? Nope but I knew I could learn what I needed to know. There are books, web sites, and all sorts of other sources of information out there to learn from.

If you're well organized that's a great start. You have to be able to prioritize, multi-task, and see the big picture. You'll need to know about staffing ratios, budgets, regulations..you know what you need to know.

Does your corporation offer any training for managers? My first job as a DNS....they threw the keys at me, showed me the phone and told me the regional nurse would be with me for as long as I needed. Yah...she was in the building for 8 hours and on the phone with someone else for 7 of those. If you know the systems used at the facility that's half the battle.

Don't be so hard on yourself. You should give it a try. Make a deal with the company that you'll try it out for 6 months and if you don't like it they'll find something else for you to do. Good directors are hard to find.

[achot chavi]

CCM said it all and so succintly!

[noc4senuf]

Get your hands on the State Operations Manual and start learning the regs. Also, join your local DON chapter to network and meet others you can easily reach to ask questions, get to know an MDS forwards and back .. since that is where your money is created. read your company and union (if you have them) P&P or contracts as you will find out that a lot of your job is dealing with staff issues. Learn to delegate and not try to "fix" everything yourself.

[ame222]

Dear Cape Cod Mermaid: Can you (or anyone else) point out some specific web sites, books and any other resources I would be able to study and learn from to bring out the best possible expertise? I am very organized, can stay focused and multi task at the same time. I have found out there is specific training provided but I also want to learn on my own time as well. Any information, resources and or good ideas or encouragement anyone might have is appreciated. Thankyou to anyone who responds.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Try your local DPH website, the state ops manual as previously suggested;the NADONA website has some books about being a director in LTC. Most of us learned by doing, or if we were really lucky, learned from a smart DNS.

[noc4senuf]

AANAC... for the MDS. You can find the SOM on the CMS website and should also be able to pull up your state regs from your state DPH as CCM stated. Get the phone bbok out and call your nearby counterparts and get their contact info.