New DON Wanting Advice

[Tina**RN]

Hello,

I just recently accepted a DON position of a small home in a rural area near my home. I have been an LPN for 13 years and recently went back for my RN. The last 8 years of my career as an LPN I found myself in positions of leadership where ever I worked. I've done MDS, ADON, Wound Nurse, Infection controll ect..

I left LTC 3 years ago and went to home health because I was so tired of the politics in LTC and stresses that came with it. The break was a good one and I gained a lot from trying something new. This past year I have worked as the DON for a HH company. As the director of this HH agency, the majority of my time is in a big fancy office at our city location. I rarely have any direct patient contact. I do a lot of teaching, marketing, policy writing/renewals ect..ect.. There are many things I love about this job, but have found myself missing LTC and that day to day contact with my residents and their family's. There have been a lot of perks and goodies for me as management here, but I no longer feel like a nurse.

This longing is what has led me to accept this position as DON. It's a Not -For- Profit home so the pay is substandard, but I believe the care is fantastic there.

I will no longer have the big beautiful office, the fancy luncheons, go on the trips to HH seminars whenever available, But I will get to see and feel the effects of what caring for others is all about. I will get to see the fruits of my labor and that brings me great joy..

I have never been a DON of a skilled facility so any thoughts, Ideas, suggestions, words of wisdom ect would be greatly appreciated.

I am hopeful that because this facility is not Corporate owned, my experience will be a more positive one.

Thanks In advance for your input...

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Well,hmmm...what kind of advice do you need? I've been in LTC since (egadz) the 70's and have been a DNS for years. I have no fancy office, no fancy luncheons, no expense account. I work in a for profit and am well paid but my stress level is through the roof on a daily basis dealing with stupid staff people, ignorant families, annoying residents, and let's not forget the condescending administrator who doesn't think he needs to share any information with any one.

I love my job!

[Tina**RN]

Wow! This made me giggle! What have I gotten myself into!!??!! No, I am actually ready for the challenge! To be honest, the fancy lunches get old after a while! lol...

Ok, what is a good description of what you do.. Do you keep a close eye on your MDS process? Do you have a morning stand up meeting? How is your QA meetings? Do you do all the employee counseling? What is the survey process like? Wound reports? Falls? Oh, I could go on and on... lol

BTW, have you ever considered getting your administrator's license?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Will you have an ADON? Do you have unit coordiantors or staff development? How big is the place? Some of this will depend on how many duties you have, you have to oversee and your role in montoring these things.

[Tina**RN]

There is another RN there that they do not title, ADON.. but she does wounds, and MDS.

It's a small place, 60 bed.

The administrator has been there 20 years and she does all the staffing her self.

[peggynurse]

Good luck on your new position. Advice? Look at your last survey and get ready for the next one. How good is the staff? Need lots of training. I use to put out a notebook for memo's. Alot of days , so many things happen it's hard to communicate...the book seemed to help.

[indigonurse]

You have a ton of experience. As long as you are aware of all of the state and federal regulations that apply to LTC you will be fine. Getting some consultation from an experienced DON could make the adjustment a lot easier.