LTC DON claims she cannot work the floor due to regulation

[KSinMT]

Hi, I've worked in LTC for the past 15 years in 3 different facilities. The most recent facility I work in, the DON claims it is a state regulation that she cannot work the floor if census is above a certain number. I have never heard of any such regulation, and I know it is not a company policy because this particular facility was recently bought out by a different company. I suspect this "regulation" was made up by the former DON and is being carried on. Has anyone ever heard of this before? I would think in a crisis or emergency situation it would be the DON's responsibility to cover the floor if needed but she will not due to this supposed "regulation". We have a new administrator and I'd like to ask him about it but I don't want to be "that person" and cause any trouble!

[JKL33]

1 hour ago, jljrdhd said:

It only means that the facility can't apply a "dual role" to a DON if the building has a capacity greater than 60.

Not having any first-hand experience with this, I did a basic search online when I first read the OP and this is what I came across. Seems very much like the whole intent of the regulation is to have a proper charge nurse and a proper DON, both, if census is greater. And to provide some small limitation to the amount of shenanigans that can be done with staffing roles and numbers in that regard. There was nothing to suggest it is meant to prohibit particular nurses from helping in a crisis.

[jljrdhd]

3 hours ago, JKL33 said:

Not having any first-hand experience with this, I did a basic search online when I first read the OP and this is what I came across. Seems very much like the whole intent of the regulation is to have a proper charge nurse and a proper DON, both, if census is greater. And to provide some small limitation to the amount of shenanigans that can be done with staffing roles and numbers in that regard. There was nothing to suggest it is meant to prohibit particular nurses from helping in a crisis.

Exactly. 

[DON for 6 years]

Got all those that have never worked as a DON and your not informed on the regulations. In Nebraska a DON can’t work the floor with the census average above 60.  Otherwise they can get a state deficiency. A DON has a lot of paperwork just to maintain regulations.  Get informed before cast judgements. 

[klone, MSN, RN]

Again, there is a difference between "not working the floor" and sitting in the office dealing with paperwork. There are things the DON can do to help out that doesn't involve taking a direct patient load.