dkrzysik

Does anyone feel it would be career suicide to take a DON or administrator position for a 1-2 star facility? I a currently a nurse manager for a sub-acute rehab unit at a 5-star rated facility. I know my fellow colleagues would never even consider going from a 5 star to a 1 star but I don't know how else to get experience as a DON or an administrator. I have been groomed to be an administrator for a few years at my facility but it may be many more years before this occurs (though you never know). In the meantime as I complete my MBA and MHA I fear I will become complacent if I stay in my current position. Any thoughts?

Working on a short-term rehab unit, we frequently get family members as most of our residents wish to return to their previous living arrangements or we suggest assisted living of some sort if necessary. We also often have difficulty wrapping up the conference so I can see where it can be difficult to offer beverages and encourage a lengthy stay. My approach is to make them feel welcome and at home, while at the same time maintaining a professional approach. It's not so much that we are having problems but rather I am looking for ways to improve upon our existing approach. With new facilities emerging in the surrounding area, we have to compete with things like private rooms for each resident, upgraded facilities, wifi for all residents, etc. I am trying to stand out in an environment where budget cuts are having a direct effect on patient satisfaction. Some things we can fix, some will come with reform, and some may not be fixed in our lifetime. I am looking at each area we can improve on to give our residents and their families something to talk about, thus improving word of mouth in the positive sense.

I'm curious as each facility approach is different. Do you have to complete all sections of the MDS or does therapy, dietary, activities, and social services input their own data? Also, how many residents are you overseeing? In our facility the nurse manager for the unit coordinates his/her own residents. I am currently the RN Manager for a subacute/rehab unit. For me, this translates to up to 17 residents at one time depending on census. I rarely have to do quarterly MDS. However to compensate, I frequently complete discharge and admission MDS.

Yes, we've all heard those words before. Nauseating...maybe. True...absolutely. The bottom line is that there are many choices out there. To not surprise our residents and their families, translates to punching a clock, going through the motions, and worrying about our own needs and not the resident. Again, I am looking for ways to IMPROVE communication with residents and their families as it pertains to the care conference/staffing.

I am looking for suggestions in improving resident care conferences/staffings. Our current approach is an interdisciplinary meeting involving social services, RN manager, and a member of the therapy team (dietary is in attendance on occasion). The resident and any family/friend is welcome to attend. This usually translates into 5 to 6 people involved in the meeting. Having only worked in two facilities, both of the same organization, I can only assume that this is more or less the standard in long-term care. In today's current environment, organizations need to find ways to exceed customer expectations. This can prove difficult to do with seemingly, ever-increasing staffing cuts, budget limitations, and securing qualified employees. I am looking for tips and techniques to improving the experience for residents and their families. This may include location, approach, and documentation. For example, at times we will attempt to meet the family in a "living room" setting as opposed to the "board room" approach. Another might be offering coffee, juice, and water to those in attendance. I think that this can help all of us in making our residents and families feel more welcome. I am hoping that as this post evolves it will help each of us in seeing the different approaches out there and give our residents what they deserve.

I am looking for suggestions in improving resident care conferences/staffings. Our current approach is an interdisciplinary meeting involving social services, RN manager, and a member of the therapy team (dietary is in attendance on occasion). The resident and any family/friend is welcome to attend. This usually translates into 5 to 6 people involved in the meeting. Having only worked in two facilities, both of the same organization, I can only assume that this is more or less the standard in long-term care. In today's current environment, organizations need to find ways to exceed customer expectations. This can prove difficult to do with seemingly, ever-increasing staffing cuts, budget limitations, and securing qualified employees. I am looking for tips and techniques to improving the experience for residents and their families. This may include location, approach, and documentation. For example, at times we will attempt to meet the family in a "living room" setting as opposed to the "board room" approach. Another might be offering coffee, juice, and water to those in attendance. I think that this can help all of us in making our residents and families feel more welcome. I am hoping that as this post evolves it will help each of us in seeing the different approaches out there and give our residents what they deserve.

I am looking for suggestions in improving resident care conferences/staffings. Our current approach is an interdisciplinary meeting involving social services, RN manager, and a member of the therapy team (dietary is in attendance on occasion). The resident and any family/friend is welcome to attend. This usually translates into 5 to 6 people involved in the meeting. Having only worked in two facilities, both of the same organization, I can only assume that this is more or less the standard in long-term care. In today's current environment, organizations need to find ways to exceed customer expectations. This can prove difficult to do with seemingly, ever-increasing staffing cuts, budget limitations, and securing qualified employees. I am looking for tips and techniques to improving the experience for residents and their families. This may include location, approach, and documentation. For example, at times we will attempt to meet the family in a "living room" setting as opposed to the "board room" approach. Another might be offering coffee, juice, and water to those in attendance. I think that this can help all of us in making our residents and families feel more welcome. I am hoping that as this post evolves it will help each of us in seeing the different approaches out there and give our residents what they deserve.