I am a new grad and got a job as ALF director position!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

It has been 4 days I have been working. Well not exactly working since I am just an observor at this time. I just graduated last week :) had my second interview on tues and they hired me right there woohoo I'm excited to work for the management position and I'm learning a lot about administration and meeting tons of people in this industry but oh man I doubt myself if can do this! Did anyone start their nursing career with management? My mentor (the one who is a director at this moment) said she will train me for 4 mons:) oh its assisted living and memory care facility

"Basically all the nursing jobs will be done by an lpn or CNAs with Qmap. Pretty much no nursing skills other than assessment and TB shots"

Since when does LPN/CNA do NURSING ASSESSMENTS?

I strongly suggest you learn your state's nursing code before you begin this job. In addition, how could you possibly consider yourself experienced enough to handle all staffing, handle all patient family concerns and do so with confidence??

I will admit there are those RARE new nursing graduates that might be able to handle this position right out of the gates...but boy oh boy talk about stress.

GOOD LUCK. AND, I am in NO way jealous. Been there done that as DON of LCT for a grand total of one week once I saw how the place was run..

I understand LPN/CNA don't do nursing assessments or even nursing diagnosis! (Woolala I graduated RN program also) but yeah, suprise for me too. Well, the facility explains that the state doesn't even require ALF to have a nurse in the building. Basically if someone needs skilled nursing care, they won't be living in an assisted living. I did read state regulations for assisted living- At this moment, all I can do is learning and studying-

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Congratulations ;)

However, I have to say...be careful. I have worked in LTC for almost 6 months now, and there is no way I would accept a management position. In my previous career, I held management positions for almost 20 years, and I still wouldn't do it. Not saying you won't succeed, but as a new grad, there's A LOT to learn. All the best.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
A new grad has no business being a director! You don't even know how to be a nurse yet! Do you really think that the nurses under you are going to respect you or be able to take direction from you? Heck no! They might like you as a person, but really they know that you have no clue what is going on! If they need to come to you about problems that are clinical related, how are you going to give them answers? Sure, you can be trained in the administrative aspect of the position no problem, but you cannot be trained in the clinical part of your job (and believe me, no matter what they tell you there is a clinical part!) without hands-on experience.

This, a million times over. I recently interviewed with a home health company for a clinical coordinator position. I have been an RN for 5 years, and I am an damn good nurse, but have no home health experience. Five minutes into the interview, both I and the interviewer knew that I was grossly underqualified for the position. She was gracious enough to not say that outright, and when I came home, I emailed her and thanked her for the opportunity and told her that I wished her luck in finding the right candidate, but it was obvious that it was not me! And honestly, the ONLY reason I got the interview in the first place is because my husband is a colleague (different company) of this woman's boss.

But in the time between the interview and when I emailed her to disqualify myself, all I could think of is "how am I going to earn the respect of the nurses who work under me when I won't even be able to answer their clinical questions?" And the answer is - I won't. And nobody can be an effective leader if they don't have the respect of the people they are leading.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

All the best in your new position.

And the warnings are not unfounded. Yes you should definitely study up on your state regulations and policy and procedure.

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I really appreciate all the comments!! *Respect* to all the senior nurses :) If it doesn't work with me, it will be my great learning experience. Even the director told me "If you think it is not right for you, either way, you are going to have the experience of a lifetime" :)

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I understand LPN/CNA don't do nursing assessments or even nursing diagnosis! (Woolala I graduated RN program also) but yeah, suprise for me too. Well, the facility explains that the state doesn't even require ALF to have a nurse in the building. Basically if someone needs skilled nursing care, they won't be living in an assisted living. I did read state regulations for assisted living- At this moment, all I can do is learning and studying-

Exactly - which is why they need nurses who can say get them the heck out of here when something goes wrong!

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while I agree with some of the warnings and concerns...I think the OP is speaking of an Independent Assisted Living & not LTC/nursing home/SNF. This would be very different as the residents do not require routine daily care..these old folk live in their little apartments and do their own care- even cook for themselves in some cases. They are not disabled or ill.

Management as a new grad would be very difficult though

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There are a lot of strong egos in nursing and management is even worse. You really have to know what you are doing to handle that kind of pushing and pulling and infighting and politics. You'll be dealing with both ends of the spectrum -- the nursing staff, who resent management; and the managerial staff, who resent the nursing staff. That's a hard line to walk.

I would wonder why they aren't hiring an experienced RN for that position, and wonder if maybe they want someone that they can push around in order to fill a position that they are by law required to fill.

I wish you the best of luck, though; whatever happens here you will learn a lot about the profession and about yourself.

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I am a new nursing student and, while I admit I have ZERO nursing experience, I'm feeling compelled to offer insight after being a corporate manager in several high pressure corporations and managing over 40 employees.

The problem is, nurses graduate now requiring extensive on-the-job training and support. We don't graduate ready to function independently as nurses immediately on the job, let alone as supervisors and leaders of other nurses. I've had an extensive and comprehensive training and am still frequently running in to issues I need to refer to my charge nurses (and experienced coworkers) for guidance on. I would not feel comfortable in a management position NOW, let alone when I first graduated, and I came to nursing school with past career and leadership experience. I don't think anyone is trying to rain on the OP's parade, but advise caution and self protection.

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Specializes in LTC, medsurg.

Things that make you go hmmmm?

Anyway, I wish you luck in your new position. You worked very hard I'm sure to get your license, just make sure you follow the nurse practice act and not get in over your head.

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Specializes in CVICU,ED,ICU,Nursing Supervisor.

One born every minute.

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Specializes in Substance Abuse, Mental Health.
while I agree with some of the warnings and concerns...I think the OP is speaking of an Independent Assisted Living & not LTC/nursing home/SNF. This would be very different as the residents do not require routine daily care..these old folk live in their little apartments and do their own care- even cook for themselves in some cases. They are not disabled or ill.

Management as a new grad would be very difficult though

Assisted Living was meant to be this way in a perfect world, but you end up having higher acuity residents that obviously need to be moved, but facility/company will not do anything because they don't want to lose $3,000 a month that the resident brings in. As a result, the CNAs and med aides or LPNs are then expected to pick up the slack when the reality is that the facility is usually just not equipped for those type of residents. I am in my 2nd year of an ADN program and I worked in an ALF as a med tech for over a year. Sure it was a beautiful facility... gorgeous in fact, but it was hell. We went through 3 Resident Service Directors (DONs) and 4 memory care unit LPNs within 1 year. With 4 staff on the floor (2 med techs/2 CNAs...no nurse after 5pm) we were responsible for 45+ residents..some requiring assistance with showers, most needing meds, helping some get to bed, FEEDING some, 2 were total care, changing briefs for the incontinent, 1 guy needed his catheter emptied, 1 had some kind of psychotic behavior going on and was a hoarder and was addicted to narcs. It may as well have been a nursing home. There was ALWAYS medicine running out before the pharmacy would refill it because meds were being stolen, diabetic supplies were always used for the wrong resident, family issues, fighting residents, theft, etc. Our DONs were seasoned and couldnt take it. They dealt w/ family issues, new residents, assessments, were mainly oncall 24/7 when falls or emergencies occurred or when a residents blood sugar was too high, they had to clean up the med situation as best they could before we were fined by the state, they dealt with staff scheduling, had to come in and work if we were short, resident concerns, ordering supplies, etc. It was a royal mess. Based on my experience, I would use extreme caution when taking on a position like that...especially if I was brand, spanking NEW. Heck, don't plan on doing anything like it when I graduate next year. Good luck to you dear!

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