DONS working the floor in LTC?

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I haven't been a nurse for that long and my facility has just hired a new DON. She stated in our meeting the other day that she will not and does not cover the floor. She stated that i already have a full time position and doesn't have time to cover the floor. She says that all of you guys need to work together to get the hours covered. We have a lot of call offs and our turn over rate is really high.

So my question is is it standard that most DONS don't cover the floor?

I'm not a DON, but I do have a "desk job." I don't think that the nurses who work the floor have any idea what I do or how busy I actually am...I know when I worked the floor I was clueless! I have no problem with working the floor when help is needed, but I do have a problem with being EXPECTED to do it with no regard to whether my job is getting done or not. There are just certain days and certain times of the month that I HAVE to be in the office...either that or we can be out of compliance on things and we can lose money or risk being cited by surveyors. Also...if things are bad enough to need to pull me out of the office to work on the floor, I really don;t like seeing people taking extra breaks, standing around the nurse's station, or hanging out in the breakroom. If I am being pulled to the floor and am not able to do my regular job, I really like to see everyone else working at least as hard as I am.

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Specializes in med-surg 5 years geriatrics 12 years.

I know laws change from state to state. I worked several months as DON and the state laws said that in a facility over 70 residents, the DON was not to work the foor...now having said that, I did go in and work the floor after someone had worked 12-16 hours with no relief. Also went in and worked as a CNA when we were short. It was my first week as DON and after that the staff would help me all they could because they knew I was there to help in a pinch. Your staff can make or break you and I hope your new DON learns that soon.

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Specializes in Home Health, Psyc, OR.

I know that the DON has a lot of responsibility and is very busy. But I know that ours has nothing to do with the scheduling or direct patient care. The only time she comes to the floor is when there is a problem or if she wants to talk to someone about something they did wrong. I have a lot of respect for the job and know that I do not think that I would want to do it. But I think that it would be good for the DON to at least be on the floor every now and then to see if the plans that they are enforcing actually work or the complaints that we have are legit.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

If the DON is having to cover the floors then you have a big problem. I have seen this happen in other facilities-and I left them.I have some idea of what the DON's responsibilities are-and ours does make regular inspections rounds and also comes through now and then just to say "hi" (without offering any criticism) I enjoy working for a facility which has well compensated and content staff.We don't have much of a turn over and that is a rarity in this area.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

It only happens when we cant fill a call-in but when it happens- she finds the warts and pimples and gets things fixed as only she can. We can complain for half a year about a problem and nothing changes- and when she is stumped with it all of a sudden it becomes priority. I just wished she would take action when we complain instead of waiting till she see it herself first- hand

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

Have I worked the floor when needed... you betcha. Since i am salaried, i then need to take off another day. That just means the rest of the days in the week are longer though. I rotate call with 6 of my management RN's, and we do get called in at times. When I am walking down the hall, I do answer call lights, can toilet someone, help feed when needed. I am not opposed to getting dirty or helping but, I do expect my staff to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

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What gets me is say...your 3-11 nurse calls off all of the sudden because her husband just had a heart attack. Say you are the 7-3 nurse that came in on your day off to work and you normally don't work during the week because it ia a major headache trying to find coverage and lets say you were kinda sick yourself and you are nursing your youngest child (pumping at work). Your DON comes in late (as she does every day and leaves on time and you noticed that she was able to take over 8 smoke breaks during the short time she was there on 7-3. Again..you are sick or you wouldn't mind (well, you would, but you would do it) staying over. Even tho you have a staffing coordinator it is her day off and you need to try to find a replacement yourself for the 3-11 shift and when you can't you ask your DON if something else could be done...."Gee, I'm not sure. I can't because my DH got tickets for this xyz movie tonite"

Yeah...thats when staff looks at the DON like she is xyz and then wonders why she doesn't get any respect from her staff????

As I stated before...been there, don that. No. The DON shouldn't be expected to always cover the floor. BUT...In extreme situations she is still a nurse and should have common decency.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

we had several call in's one day (cna's) and i looked up and my don was giving showers...you betcha my don will hit the floor and she is good at it too...

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

michelle126...how are you able to watch the DON all day to count her smoke breaks? I'm the nursing manager and even I cant count my staff's smoke breaks let alone my DONs.

I work for the best DON i've ever workd for. but God love her heart...I dont WANT her to work the floor, lol. She has been in management so long that were she to work the floor, she'd still be there 2 days later trying to give meds. but thats not to say she wouldnt! we just wont let her.

i had a meltdown last friday because i got slammed with 6 admissions in an hour and short a nurse due to call ins. my DON stayed with me until they were all admitted. bless her heart, she was so tired.

DON hours also do not count in the staffing numbers so she can't be the only RN on shift.

I agree, unless you know how hard a DON actually works, dont "dis" her. you might not see it, but she is working her butt off.

when we lost our ADON, mine asked me to do the job. although i love working with her, there is NO way i'm doing that job! i love my schedule and couldnt have the same one in that position. but I take call rotation with the both of them. it's just the three of us taking call but we are able to keep it staffed to keep them both off the floor. but that in itself is a hard job.

i know i'm rambling here, sorry.

to the person that said the don or rn should work one shift a month. i say try doing staffing for a week. you'll be begging to go back on the floor.

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Hey....she tells us she is going out to smoke (just incase she gets a phone call)

Yes....I have worked in the DON shoes.

No.....I don't think it is the DON's responsibility to always fill in. I'm just staying....when it is desparate times and when all possible measure to find a replacement is needed....a DON is a nurse first.

Just another aside....I'm sure our responses will all differ on this subject in relation to the facility size and if there are other management staff in the facility. Normally the RNAC or Unit Manager etc get the task of filling in first. (also been there done that and still had to get my work done)

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
Hey....she tells us she is going out to smoke (just incase she gets a phone call)

Yes....I have worked in the DON shoes.

No.....I don't think it is the DON's responsibility to always fill in. I'm just staying....when it is desparate times and when all possible measure to find a replacement is needed....a DON is a nurse first.

Just another aside....I'm sure our responses will all differ on this subject in relation to the facility size and if there are other management staff in the facility. Normally the RNAC or Unit Manager etc get the task of filling in first. (also been there done that and still had to get my work done)

you are right, we all bring different experiences to the table and i didnt mean to sound like i was jumping on you.

I fill in as well when we are short and still ahve to get my work done too. and sometimes i'd like to sit in the office and cry because i'm so behind i'll never get done.

due to a nurse out on maternity leave, i have had the pleasure of having to do all the PAEs for the past 3 months. she is the nurse that does them all. so now Infection Control is 3 months behind because i've been working as a nurse, as a CNA, doing the PAEs and now i'm whining, lol...sorry.

so yes, i agree...we all bring alot to the table and every facility runs itself differently. some DONs are great at helping and some arent. and in some cases, some are like mine where we wont let them help, lol.

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