How to become an effecient nursing director ???

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 12, 2010

I have found it a balancing act between expectations of governing bodies (health dept, JC, etc), Administration, and the staff. There is no way to please everyone all the time. So keep a copy of the nursing practice act on your desk and have access to other policies so you are not the bad guy all the time. If you are fair in how you execute policies you will probably do fine. Good luck!!!

IHeartPeds87 · Feb 12, 2010

Make it a point to understand the realities of the floor. Pick up various shifts every couple weeks...you can't really effectively make rules up for people when you don't understand what their job actually entails.

rntg · Feb 13, 2010

"Make it a point to understand the realities of the floor. Pick up various shifts every couple weeks...you can't really effectively make rules up for people when you don't understand what their job actually entails."

Amen to this. We have a new CNO at our facility and she really is gunho about change and making things better and family/patient centered care. But somewhere in the mix we have to remember those who are providing this care. What is deemed n some book as "best practice" may not always be best practice. If almost EVERY NURSE who is providing this care, has misgivings about new policies, it is not because we want to be negative...it is because we are the ones who live it. Every new policy takes times, every new piece of electronic charting or paper flow sheet takes time, just because something is new in some workshop somewhere does not mean it is the best for every unit every time.

My advice, listen to your nurses. Listen to their concerns and act on them. They want to provide the best care they can, but most changes cost them time, which really in the long run takes more time from the bedside. Yes,I am frustrated! Sorry for the rant. :grn:

Reigen · Feb 13, 2010

Hi! I will be starting a new career next week as a director of skilled nursing services in a 120 bed capacity facility. It will be my first time doing it but i have previous experience as a supervisor. The roles are surely different. I want to be successful and i want to meet expectations. Please advise. Thanks!

New DONs bring to the facillity their own personal practice history, values, and judgments.

They may have differing expectations for staff performance. What may be fully acceptable to one DON may be unacceptable to others.

Your job is to make sure all employees have what they need to do their job correctly to the best of their ability, and to ensure that the facility is safe and all provide competent quality care.

This is what I said to the staff when I took a DON position:

The expectations for nursing staff are to provide exemplary patient care, accurate and precision in the collection of Resident assessments, and technical expertise. This care is provided with compassion and without judgment, to assure our Residents are safe and healthy.

Nurses are the anchor for the entirety of a healthcare organisation. From executing physician orders and administrating medication to educating patients and ensuring safety, nurses do it all. Yet nurses are often pulled away from the residents, bogged down with administrative tasks and paperwork.

Nursing documentation must make sense, must have meaning, and must communicate. It also must be completed during the shift you are working on.

To provide exemplary care, We will work with our residents and the community to ensure the right service is being provided in the right setting at the right time.

A. Each Resident shall be treated as a whole, irreplaceable, unique, and worthy person.

B. The Resident's safety, health, or welfare shall be protected.

C. The privacy of the Resident and the confidentiality of every case and record shall be maintained.

D. Residents and/or responsible family shall be informed at all stages of care about personnel responsible for the patient's care, treatment plans, and activities for the patient, facilities, and services available to the patient and responsibilities of the patient and family.

E. Behavior reflecting the dignity, responsibility, and service orientation of health care professionals, worthy of the public's respect and confidence, shall be practiced by all individuals.

The Director of Nursing, or DON, plans, organizes and directs the overall operation of nursing services within the facility. The DON oversees Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and may oversee other clinical staff, and is generally responsible for ensuring proper staffing of the facility. The DON may also be responsible for hiring and firing of nursing staff. The Director of Nursing is responsible to the Administrator and the Medical Director. In the absence of a Medical Director, he or she is responsible for carrying out the resident-care policies established by the facility.

The DON is a leader that inspires, teaches, and guides employees; he or she does not "supervise" them. A good leader provides a clear vision, clear expectations, and an environment that fosters teamwork.

Good Luck and congratulations on your job!

florence09 · Feb 14, 2010

Thank you ms reigen. Your words are so inspiring! This would help me a lot in building my confidence .

Priscillamensah · Jan 18, 2015

Thank so much for the message on my birthday. I was so touched and i feel so blessed to be part of this group. God bless you all.