DON position

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

Hello,

I have been in LTC as a charge nurse for 6 years. I have been approached about taking a DON position at our sister facility. It's small (40 beds) and at this time well staffed. Can I handle this? Yes, I know floor nursing. Yes, I have been through several states surveys, but all the other stuff I have left to the DON. I want to give it a shot, but I understand this is a serious responsibility. My current director would be available for training and questions. What do you think? What are some things I should consider before accepting?

Thanks!

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Sounds like a great opportunity and 40 beds is a great way to start. If you like the culture of this employer go for it!

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Wow! Thanks for a positive response..I really was expecting some negativity. LOL. My husband is very supportive of this. I am excited and so nervous. I don't kow what to ask for pay, vacations or anything. So, any input would be greatly appreciated

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I would ask for at least one more week vacation and increase in your salary. Since you will be on salary you will not be getting overtime. I think it will be a wonderful opportunity. Also I would ask what sort of admin support you will be getting, make sure you have a computer and a good MDS nurses. Sounds wonderful.

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I know the administrator has been there 10 years, MDS is in place. Don't know too much about her though. I was happy with the pay scale he quoted, but not the vacation. I wonder how flexible he would be with this. Time off is important to me. I know there is a lot of stress with these positions and I am willing to work and give it my all. That being said, I don't want to burn out.

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Ask for 2 more weeks and hope for 1 week, also ask about comp time since you will be working extra and it is great to take a day off with out tapping the vacation bank. Sounds like you have your priorities in order.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

It does sound like a great opportunity for you. Ask about any training corporate gives. If it's a small company, perhaps they belong to the extended care federation or something similar. Make sure you get trained the right way. Ask why the current DNS is leaving. Ask about on call...is it just you or does it rotate. Do you do the scheduling? Not many places still do comp. time but most are flexible with hours. If I stay late one day, I try to leave early the next. It usually evens out where I am now. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

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Hi,

Just a little update. I decided not to take the position. My self doubt got the best of me. I was concerned because they only have an acting DNS at this time. I would have had to learn on my own, and with the help of the administrator. The current DNS was planning on leaving as soon as a came on.

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I am sure this was the right decision, you have to follow your gut feeling. Now if an ADON comes available you will know to apply. Thanks for the update.

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We don't have ADON's at our facilities, because they are so small. So, it would have to be somewhere else.

I will just have to keep looking

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Unfortunately, that's the way it is. In this business it is very rare for the DNS to stay and train the new person. For my first DNS job I was promised 'as much orientation as you need' by the regional clinical person. Apparently they thought I needed 10 minutes out of the 8 hours she spent in my building. The other 7 hours and 50 minutes, she was on the phone with someone else. You can learn as you go and most DNSs I know learn that way. Good luck.

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Ohh Cape Cod Mermaid...I wish I had known that before...Everyone is telling me the same thing. I wish I took the position now

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