New DON

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, LTC.

I've been a RN for 4 years, before that I was a Med aide and a CNA for 10 years working in the nursing home. When I became a RN I worked in cardiac critical care . A few months ago I decides to work in the nursing home part time due to I missed working with elderly. Well the Don left and I was ask if I would be interim DON for 30 days and I accepted, after 30 days I was ask to stay on as the DON. I thought sure ill try it I would like to make a difference right. Well I can positively say my POSITIVE ATTITUDE did change the morale in the building. I am very hands on and I have filled in every position from CNA to charge nurse and because of this I believe I gained their respect and trust. My staff has become very POSITIVE and really put our residents FIRST. I am so glad a took a chance and made a difference. I LOVE MY JOB

Well I can positively say my POSITIVE ATTITUDE did change the morale in the building. I am very hands on and I have filled in every position from CNA to charge nurse and because of this I believe I gained their respect and trust. My staff has become very POSITIVE and really put our residents FIRST. I am so glad a took a chance and made a difference. I LOVE MY JOB

Congrats! Positive attitude counts for a lot, but it certainly doesn't count for everything. It's great that your staff sees that you're willing to pitch in. Do they also see that you will hold them accountable? Your background also makes me worry that you don't have enough knowledge of regulations and requirements for your facility. What kind of training have you been through?

Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, LTC.

I have been through the QIS training TWICE. I will not set myself up for failure, love to learn and i know my state regulation, I have the State Operations manual Guidance to Surveyors for LTC facilities saved to my computer, phone, and Ipad and read every chance I get. I have all the QIS forms from the qtso (QIS) website and i use them everyday at work for chart checks and when I do my rounds. I even ask the floor nurses who've been in LTC for help when I am not quite sure of something. I've never claimed to know it all but I have vowed and I am dedicated to learn it all. Although I had 10 years of CNA and med aide experience in LTC I did not have a LTC background in nursing, but i when I took the position I took it upon myself to learn everything i possibly could and I am continuing to learn everyday.

Specializes in Cardiac, Critical Care, LTC.

Congrats! Positive attitude counts for a lot, but it certainly doesn't count for everything. It's great that your staff sees that you're willing to pitch in. Do they also see that you will hold them accountable? Your background also makes me worry that you don't have enough knowledge of regulations and requirements for your facility. What kind of training have you been through?

The rest of my response is in a post above this one, but of course they know I hold them accountable in everything they do. I said I was positive but I also said in my other post on geriatric forum That I am firm in what i expect from them

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