Help...do I want to do this???

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

I have been an ER nurse/ flight nurse/ trauma coordinator for the past 21 years. Most recently I have worked as an ER CM/ UR nurse for the past 5 years. I have recently been approached by a local LTC facility asking me to apply for a position as an ADON. It is an approximately 200 bed family owned facility that wants me ultimately to work as the DON, however they feel that it's unfair to ask me to take this position until I have some LTC experience (so they say). I am very intrigued by this offer and would very much like to enter the LTC environment, however I have nothing to base my experience on to make a decision. I would very much like to talk to other DON/ ADON nurses to help me decide if this is something I would like to do. We are in the northern IL area and I suspect that I would love this line of work.....I just have nothing to base my opinion on for such a job. Any insight would be most appreciated. Regards, David

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Would be glad to help you but I don't know where to start. Have you read thru some of the posts on the DON forum? If you have any specific questions just post them or send me a PM

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In my experience, the ADON job is multi-faceted but maybe in such a large facility, you'll only have one hat. That is the first question I'd ask - will I be the Staff Educator, Infection Control Coordinator, or the Rehab Nursing Coordinator? In smaller facilities the ADON can wear all those hats and more.

How much training will they provide? If they say they will provide it, get it in writing. There is so much to learn about Medicare. That and state surveys run the business.

Speaking of surveys, find out about their rating on US News and World report. Best Nursing Homes Plus Assisted Living Facilities - US News Best Nursing Homes

If they have a high rating then your job will be easier. I went into an ADON job at a facility which had just gotten 5 G Tags...not good.

Same as Cape Cod...if you have any questions, send me a PM.

Good luck....

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

I would consider the reasons why they asked you. Is there a big turn over in DON/ADONs there? Can you meet the current DON? If this is family owned- is there a big percentage of family/friends employed there?

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Honestly it would be hard to be an ADON without LTC experience. Feel free to PM me. I've been in the business for eons.

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I think they are setting you up for failure asking you to do this. It's a whole different world. I think you should ask them to set you up with a preceptorship with a DNS at another facility for 4 weeks to see what goes on and learn some regulations if they really want you and then give you 4 weeks to shadow the Charge Nurses/Nurse Managers and then make a decision. Worse case scenario maybe they would gain a Per Diem Nurse if you decide not to do it. Be careful.....it's quite different......and still.....quite intense.

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I would be asking about the training you would be receiving first of all. I have spent my entire nursing career in LTC, and I am always glad to see someone interested in it, but sadly I have seen more than one acute care nurse go down in flames because the realities of LTC aren't what they were expecting. It's a good idea to learn what the floor nurses have to do because likely when there are call offs, you're filling in. I have worked every position in my center prior to taking the DON position. Feel free to PM me if you have questions!

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Honestly it would be hard to be an ADON without LTC experience. Feel free to PM me. I've been in the business for eons.

That was me....ADON hired with promise of training hahaha....didn't happen. That's why I posted all that I did.

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Specializes in LTC, Education, Management, QAPI.

I have experience as an ADON and I will tell you it is a difficult job. You are a gate keeper for so many things. For me, it was so rewarding because I helped staff, families, and patients. I coordinated all staff development and education/ training, Family concerns and complaints, Rehab and reviews, In-servicing, discipline, and more. I am now the DON of the same facility and basically do the same. It is incredibly rewarding, and I think that you would do great. Our facility's previous DON was an ER nurse for many years, and it was an INCREDIBLE positive for our company. It brought acute care and increased knowledge, decision making, and better care to our patients. Of course, we had to bring her back down to earth sometimes because you cant get Q4 vitals on 30 patients per nurse :) It was great though. If you're willing to jump in and go, I think you'd do great. Please do what some of the others have suggested, though, and actually talk to some people who are in it- it's a big change. You may PM me or email me if you like. [email protected]

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