What is it like to be ADON

[nightengalegoddess]

Hi. Any info re: challenges, duties, pay type/rate, vacation time expectaion, what to ask for when you get hired (cell phone, pager?), how much bedside work will be expected, any info at all! May be starting new direction with this....have been full -time bedside RN for six years....med-surg and rehab inpt. and leader of motivational, educational councils within hospital environment... Thank you all!!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Much depends on what part of the country you live in and the DON.

You have no long term care experience? No offense but I wouldn't want you as my ADON without LTC experience.

[marthyellen]

Most of the questions you are asking have a lot to do with the individual building. Big buildings require more paperwork, small buildings require more hands on nursing. Every building is unique. You have to ask those question during the interview

Your biggest challenge would be trying to learn long term care from the top down. You have to be able to relate to the CNAs and staff nurses , if you have never worked in LTC you may find this difficult as a manager. As a floor nurse you gain a deeper appreciation for what the staff nurses and CNAs do.

If you are applying to a corp you may not have much bargaining power for benefits.

Most buildings require the ADON to rotate call.

As for beside nursing, remember you should never ask someone to do something you would not do yourself. Therefore, you never stop doing bedside nursing.

You really need a year in LTC as a charge nurse to be a good leader for LTC. But I also understand that in some areas it is difficult to find an RN who wants to be a DON or ADON. Good Luck to you.

[nightengalegoddess]

My inpatient rehab had a lot of complex patients with multiple co-morbidities. True, have never worked in an LTC, but did some case management and dealt with LTC's only in that way. The facility also has over 100 skilled care beds and does a lot of wound, IV tx, and other med-surg related things. Have experience with LTC re: own family member in one.

[nightengalegoddess]

Also want to add that I am hoping I will be able to work at the bedside at times...the job stated unit manager duties involved. I do still love bedside nursing.

[chocolateskye]

@nightengalegoddess can you come back and update us on what happened with the Adon position you took? I recently have been offered two jobs one as an ADON and the other as a staff member of and LTACH and I cant seem to make up my mind on which one to take. Any guidance would be appreciated, thanks