NEW ADON

Ruas61, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2014

I see you found the LTC DON/ADON.

I think you too new in your nursing career to be an ADON. Unless you have some background not mentioned like LVN or even CNA.

The fact that they are fast tracking you ( you said this comes as a surprise) with so little experience make me think they are wanting to fill a slot.

What is the turnover rate? Are you the most senior?

I wish you luck.

Makama1 · Jun 22, 2014

I was a CNA for 3 yrs, I am not the most senior but my DON said I performed best out of the Nurses. Ironically most Nurses dont like my appointment & are not hiding it. They talk a lot in my back on irrelevancies and believe I ll be too tough on them. SO far as SUP for 6months, I never wrote a single person up. I prefer inservice & coaching.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 22, 2014

I think that if you are listening to the staff--both the nurses and the CNA's about what works, what doesn't, and suggestions to make things smoother, then you will be one step ahead.

What you may find the most difficult is the transition to days. You may have to be actively on the hall to get a sense of the flow. You may also want to establish what you can or can not do. One of the best things you may be able to establish is a CNA meeting to talk about what can happen more efficiently, perhaps teaming CNA's for your total care hall, and even a "lead CNA" that rotates weekly. Because you have been a CNA, you know that they are the backbone of LTC.

That the other nurses are talking is not your issue. Unless they are outright insubordinate, then let em talk. Poor reflection on them.

Best of luck in your new position!

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jun 22, 2014

At my old LTC, ADONs were basically cannon fodder.

amoLucia · Jun 25, 2014

At my old LTC, ADONs were basically cannon fodder.

They were freq the 'dump on' nurse. You name the problem, it fell to the ADON.

Also it is a position that requires the wearing of many hats. Depending on the census size of the facility, you could be responsible for Inf Control, Staff Development, Accidents & Incidents, hiring, disciplinary process, scheduling, MDS, psychoactive med monitoring, etc. Your facility may have some staff in some of those positions depending on its size. It just depends.

You may be expected to work more than 40 hours/week - like it goes with the mgt position and 'you're part of the top team now'. Did they change you to 'salary' or are you still on the clock? Makes the difference.

On-call responsibilities are now possibilities, as well as AOD/MOD (Administrator/Manager of Duty) where you come in on weekends and you cover 'the House' (not just nsg).

Do you have a union? Because you'll need to know the contract and when it's due for renewal.

As I said, it will all depend.. Some places have very stable Dept Heads, nsg and others, and the facility has been running well for quite a long time. There are some good facilities even though LTC healthcare faces so many problems.

Just a curious question - when is your next State survey due? You could be expected to ensure survey preparedness, so I would recommend reviewing your last survey to make sure that compliance matches any POC (plan of correction).

Is there any chance that your current DON may be considering leaving, like by retiring or just moving on up? Worse scenario, could your DON be a possible termination in the near future? Just something to think about.

I do wish you luck, but I think you may have a big task in front of you, esp being as fairly new as you are.

Good luck.

withasmilelpn · Jun 25, 2014

Wow, heavy responsibility for that length of experience. Best of luck to you.

misstrinad · Jun 26, 2014

I would check into some training seminars either on the web or conference style to assist you. Make sure you get adequate training, including learning the jobs of anyone under you that you have not already performed (at my facility each unit has an rn manager).

It's nice to hear your facility is promoting from within and also someone that has worked their way up.

Make sure you feel ready for the position. I was pushed to apply for supervisor and manager positions but having only Been a nurse for about a year and a half I refused because I feel I don't have enough experience.

Best of luck!

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 28, 2014

Too much, too soon. Not even a year's experience. I would strongly advise you turn to your most experienced LPN/RNs, as well as CNA's (they are invaluable and know the residents imtimately)--- and develop a really tight working relationship with them. Listen to what they say, and take their advice whenever possible. You have your hands full. Ihate to say it, but you may be set up to fail. Being a DON/ADON in a nursing home is a HUGE responsibility and very tough. You don't have much experience to fall back on. If it were me, I would pass and get more experience first.

In any event, honestly, I wish you luck.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 28, 2014

Oh---- and you better grow a really thick skin. Letting petty concerns such as who is saying what about you, you have let all that go. You will be too busy serving many masters to bother with all that. (upper management, your staff, the residents, and especially their families, you will answer to.).....You better believe families with complaints will be directed to your door. No matter what, you will get criticism from all sides. You will have to be really tough to make it. You can do it, but it's up to you. Right now, get over what people say, unless they disrespect you to your face; it's none of your business what they say and think, as long as you are doing right. Toughen up; you will need it. Being a leader, you will have to demonstrate strength and a cast-iron backbone. Your staff will respect you if you do. And if you lead, they will follow.