alarla

Thanks to everyone who responded. I have 6 months experience in LTC, 15 years as corporate Dir of QI in Home IV Therapy and 10 years in ICU. No DON experience. The new administrator starts the same day they want me to start so I can't check her out first. The building has gone through 3 or 4 DONs in the past 2 years which doesn't bode well for any new DON but I do see it as a challenge. I'll find out Monday if they're going to offer me the job.

We made activity boards: boards that had zippers, faucets, cloth that could be buttoned and unbuttoned, and so on. We had a toy bin with dolls, plastic trucks, toy iron and ironing board, toy brooms, vacuum cleaner, play tea sets, and dishes, toy cell phones and toy landline phones. Both the boardsd and the toys were used frequently. Oh! We also had LOTS of play money. We also brought in bright, colorful mobiles that we hung from the ceiling. The overall effect was cheerful and the residents used the toys and activity boards a LOT!

I have been offered a DON position for a 120 bed facility that has no DON, no ADON, and a brand new administrator. What is a reasonable salary? This is in New Mexico.

What is everyone doing about drawing peaks and troughs? At my LTC facility, we have a patient with a PICC. The lab does not draw from PICC lines so the RN has to do it. The patient gets Vancomycin at 8 am. Should the trough be done right at 8:00 or at 7:00 am? Same with the peak - the vanco infuses for an hour so should the peak be drawn at 9:00 or 10:00? And no, we do not have a policy for this. The DON, ADON, and manager were arguing but were unable to decide. I figured I'd ask here. Thanks for any advice!