New Assistant Director of Nursing

[Lynker, ASN, RN]

Hi! After transferring to outpatient from my hospital job, I realized I just took way too much of a paycut and I'm not enjoying outpatient as much as I expected.

So, I just accepted a job offer as an ADON in a SNF. I have prior LPN experience as supervising, which entailed a lot of the ADON's job duties. SO, I know a decent amount of what I will be doing.

I've never had a job that is salary, and corporate casual. I'm currently looking up how to dress and recently looked up duties of an ADON and such. My new job is training me on everything I need, and were very impressed with my experience and knowledge on nursing homes in general.

Does anyone have any tips for me for this position? 🙂 Thank you!!

[Davey Do]

Lynker! Good to see you! And congratulations on the administrative position!

Personally and professionally speaking, those who have done grunt wok- direct care for patients and residents- are the very best suited for administrative positions. They KNOW the trials & tribulations of both the giver and receiver of services.

As a NS for both an HH agency and community mental health program, my style of dress never went further south than "neat casual". I regularly wore a tie and dress pants. The German saying "Kleider machen leute" (clothes make the man), in this case: "individual", shows seriousness and respect for the position. We play roles in life, so if we dress and act the part, we usually gain respect from those around us.

As far as the salaried position, having worked in both arenas, I found the higher ups EXPECT overtime from supervisors, yet are more understanding when grunts leave at the end of their shift. For example, as an NS, it was not uncommon for me to put in as many as 60 hours/week.

Once again, good luck in your new position.  Your "experience and knowledge" has also shown itself in your past posts, and I remember you well.

[Lynker, ASN, RN]

Davey Do said:

Lynker! Good to see you! And congratulations on the administrative position!

Personally and professionally speaking, those who have done grunt wok- direct care for patients and residents- are the very best suited for administrative positions. They KNOW the trials & tribulations of both the giver and receiver of services.

As a NS for both an HH agency and community mental health program, my style of dress never went further south than "neat casual". I regularly wore a tie and dress pants. The German saying "Kleider machen leute" (clothes make the man), in this case: "individual", shows seriousness and respect for the position. We play roles in life, so if we dress and act the part, we usually gain respect from those around us.

As far as the salaried position, having worked in both arenas, I found the higher ups EXPECT overtime from supervisors, yet are more understanding when grunts leave at the end of their shift. For example, as an NS, it was not uncommon for me to put in as many as 60 hours/week.

Once again, good luck in your new position.  Your "experience and knowledge" has also shown itself in your past posts, and I remember you well.

Thanks so much, Davey. That's all great to know! I'm willing to put in more work nowadays, especially with a $30k+ salary bump! 

I think it'll be a good thing for me, as you said, I've seen it from all parts. CNA, LPN, and now RN. 

I start sometime next week. I know what to expect, but also not..... I'm nervous for sure!

[Davey Do]

Lynker said:

Thanks so much, Davey. That's all great to know! I'm willing to put in more work nowadays, especially with a $30k+ salary bump! 

I think it'll be a good thing for me, as you said, I've seen it from all parts. CNA, LPN, and now RN. 

I start sometime next week. I know what to expect, but also not..... I'm nervous for sure!

Wow! Great pay increase!

When I was hired at Wrongway Regional Medical Center, I was offered a salary which was more than I made as an NS and a free-lance artist, combined. The salary gave me the freedom to hang up my Art Guns and do art purely for pleasure and therapy.

"Seeing it from all parts" is definitely an advantage and now you will broaden your horizons. My first gig as an NS taught me as much what not to do as it reinforced my education and previous experience.

Being nervous is a good place to be, in that it causes the old sympathetic system to kick in and our senses are heightened. Being nervous can also mean that we care about our job.

Good luck, Lynker!