New ADON in Florida. Help please!

[GARY_FL_NURSE]

Hello to all fellow ADONs especially if you are in Florida.

I recently accepted a position as an ADON with very little experience. I work in a typical nursing home environment with 120 beds that accept medicare, medicaid, and lots of PT/OT/ST patients.

My problem is I was supposed to get some training from the previous ADON but it did not work out as planned.

So now the Florida State Surveyors are imminently due in our building and I haven't a clue as to what I am supposed to be prepared to present to them if asked.

I know there are CEUs for CNAs and ongoing Inservices that are due each calendar year but I don't know what's been done and what has not.

I know there are certain elements that are mandatory with new hires but I don't know what all these requirements are.

To say that I am sweating bullets is putting it mildly.

If anyone here in Florida, especially seasoned ADONs, could offer some advice or maybe some web sites I could go to for help I would be eternally in your debt.

I really like my new job and I want to do the best I can but I feel like I'm in the middle of the Gulf with a boat and no paddle!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Gary

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

i am sure your DON will direct what is expected of you

generally LTC ADONs, monitor new orders and charting, related to ensuring they were carried out correctly

track inservices, monitor and assist infection control, weight, skin, pressure ulcer, and risk/falls incident systems

also track lab results ie did the provider get results sent to them?, constant followups with provider office that need to reply with additional orders, ordering supplies, gtube formulas etc

order imput, hope some of this helps

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

You gotta approach your DON pronto!

Did you get a job spec? If not, acquire that ASAP.

Get copies of the last two State audits of your facility, and check out the deficiencies cited.

You made need to push a little to ensure you receive the training you deserve. Do it quick... and in a friendly manner.

Good luck!

[GARY_FL_NURSE]

Thank you all for the help and information. Sorry it took so long to respond. It's been about 9 months into the ADON job and I think I have everything pretty much under control. It's different than floor nursing and I do miss my patients.