I need some personal motivation

terry.don · Jul 31, 2013

I feel your pain. Unfortunately, some of these problems we face, may not change overnight.

Having a reliable team is half your battle solved. You say you have a good systems, that's your other battle won.

You have to be positive first then go from there. I know I can go into a tail spin when I think negative thoughts.

One thing you will probably be remembered for is that you care. I generally approach as a coach, educate, and after the 3rd time, then the person is held accountable. When you do focus on things then people tend to be more careful. Compare this to the cop on the highway everyone tends to drive by the speed limit

kthigpen · Aug 11, 2013

As a fellow DON I feel your pain! My solution to saving my sanity and my confidence was to take up an activities that relieved stress. Zip lining on a Saturday. Jogging at 5 am before work. Bicycle riding just before dark after work. My first year I worked 15 hrs/7 days a week. Went from a 2 star to a 5 star and had an awesome 3 tag QIS survey...and I was completely burnt out lol. Yes we are on call 24/7 and yes we are responsible for everything that goes on even when we don't know about it but if you take one hour to focus on YOU each day you will be in a much better frame of mind and be able to provide your staff with the positive influence you want to see in them.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Aug 13, 2013

I know the facility is better because I'm there....no conceit...just confidence. I'm sure your facility is better because YOU'RE there.

I second the other posters who suggest making time for yourself. I spend at least part of every day with some of the residents....one blows me a kiss every time he sees me, another tells me the secret to getting a good deal on tires, and a few of the women and I sit in the hallway and sing old songs. They are the reason I got into long term care so I never let myself get so busy that I don't have time for them.

systoly · Aug 13, 2013

from the trenches

LPN here 22 yrs total, 15 yrs LTC experience

i have never seen an awesome team with an ineffective DON at the helm

i have never seen staff break their back for a failing DON

rather the opposite

among all the DONs i've worked with, there are two whom i will hold in the highest regards forever

both expected outstanding performance from their nurses, but also would show some grace when dealing

with mistakes

you strike me as that kind of leader

except for one thing

you seem to have difficulty showing yourself some grace

how do you hold your head up?

at the end of the day, please recognize that an awesome team

does not come about by accident, but rather by the constant nourishing, teaching and caring of an excellent leader

i believe in many years from now, there will be nurses treasuring the privilege to have worked with you

NurseGuyBri · Aug 16, 2013

Wow. Thank you all for sharing! It means a lot. I've had good and bad days, of course, but I just can't seem to remember to take a break for myself. You're definitely right on that. What I seem to be having trouble with is the families of patients expecting so much. I want to deliver it, but while we have a great team, things always fall through the cracks!? I haven't been able to figure out how to accept that we will miss things here and there, little things that mean a lot. I am not giving room for error for myself much and like to try and carry all of the problems alone. Thank you so much for your kind words. After today, I needed to come here and read these things. This is truly the power that communication brings to us!