DON work hours question..

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How many hours a week, realistically, does a DON work? Business hours are 8-5 but I have a "bet" w/someone that working just the 8-5 is not usual and customary for a DON in a larger facility..is this correct? More than 40 hrs/wk?

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

That's what I thought..he is thinking the $ he is being offered (63K) and working 8-5 is all there is to it - I told him I really didn't think so..

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Do all y'all live in the middle of nowhere? 63K isn't a lot for a DNS.

I wondered about that too tho' I know the salaries are higher in the north and west - we are a little outside of Atlanta..I just don't think the $ is worth the time but he doesn't seem to see that yet.

He probably has intentions of turning his phone off at a certain time each evening, probably as soon as he gets home. He may not last long as a DON if he takes that kind of approach to the job.

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Never mind the money....tell your friend to be ready to deal with unprofessional nurses who are fresh and downright rude. I just started a new job...they were without a real DNS for a while so the place isn't functioning well. Apparently the nurses are used to doing things their way---which, but the way, isn't the right way, and they are so hostile to any kind of change. I am not the Queen...I have people to answer to. A bunch of them didn't like something we (the ED and I) did, so they called out for the weekend. Talk about unprofessional behavior. All they ended up doing was 'stick it' to the supervisor on call who goes out of her way to help them during the week. I would hate to fire them all, but I have a stack of applications and more people coming in every day to apply.

So tell your friend to put on his armor suit and do what he knows is right.

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

CCM

I can empathize with the situation. You can not allow the inmates to run the asylum ( excuse the analogy). They have to learn to adjust to doing things the way you ask them to and respecting you , or else... The market is flooded with nurses, let them know that they are replaceable if they dont work according to your standards. When you start a new job, you have to be tough but flexible- you know that already.

Dont let them get to you, they are just testing... you have to control the house or your license is on the line.

Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Business hours??? Are you kidding? I work 5:30 A - about 4:00P. I like to see all my shifts.

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.

But sometimes the DON doesn't do things right.......EG "barrier cream is a mix of calmoseptine and A&D to be used on residents. But if state comes in, only use A&D" told to us by our unit manager as per the DON's directions. *I* have an issue with that but can't question the decision because all I will get are excuses. Oh and I almost forgot to say, this is a 24 hour facility, but since the DON works 14-16 hour days, we only have staff meetings on paydays at 2:15pm. So if you don't come, you need to come in on your own time and make up the inservice. Oh, and BTW, don't tell her you don't have time! :uhoh3::uhoh3:

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

No one said DNSs are perfect. Your post is a ramble. We do the same thing regardless of the state being in the building....what's right is right.

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.

No, my post isn't a ramble, more like a vent. I never said DON's are perfect. But it's ok to do something other than DR's orders when state is and is not in the building? I will reiterate: This written order......which is a mix of a medication and is from the DON, not the resident's MD. Is "barrier cream BID" an appropriate order? Is it a correctly written one? I don't think so. Maybe I went to school and learned something wrong....so let's tell state, "Oh we were told to only do this if you were here...."

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