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Update: Turns out CTU received CCNE accreditation while I was in school. So my options opened up in regards to where I can attend school. I'm excited and happy so I wanted to share this joy!

Update: I'm doing much better at work now- Work load is the same but I'm finding ways to effectively manage it. I found creative ways to include the nurses that I supervise in the projects that I have to do. I'm also doing a lot of team building with the nurses, which they are appreciating. I have successfully implemented some new innovative strategies to help decrease the work load, and that includes contracting a EHR company ( We didn't have EHR before I got there). This EHR system generates chart, graphs and data. Which I use to have to do manually. The system is newly implemented, so its going to take some time (But its getting there). I have even recruited per diem nurses to help me organize my files, and generate reports, and do Site visits. ( Its a temporary fix- But it gave me some breathing space). I have successfully increased Full time nurses and decrease part time nurses- Which has drastically improve the quality of care and services that nurses are providing ( Which in turns decreases the calls that I receive off hours). Its not perfect yet, no sign of a raise or an assistant anytime soon. But i'm hanging in there, I will even take a vacation in July- First time in a year. I'm definitely working on getting all the experience that I can, and then.....

Really. So maybe I can start working on my project now. I'm suppose to start in September too. I just started as Director of Nursing (In October 2014) at my current Job, and I'm always doing Quality Improvement project for the company and the nurses that I supervise. This would be great opportunity to write a report on what I'm doing. Any advice on how to start? Is there a specific Format that I must follow?

Yes. I work in a residential type of environment- I have an office and all, but i'm hardly ever in it. The turn over for management is crazy, and it leads to a lot of frustration for the nurses, because of lack of continuity. My husband and I were discussing moving out to Georgia next year, so may that will be my new start.

Yes. I live in New York :)

No I live in New York. I attend school online fro CTU ( Colorado Technical University-Online).

I think its so funny that you said that, because my coworkers and I was just talking about work life balance and its importance, and how we lack any separation from work and life because of the 24/7 on call status.

Wow, thank you for sharing your experience with me. Your right the pay is horrible for the amount of work that I do. It is a risky job, in regards to having the unlicensed staff give medication under the nurses license. I do have a BSN, but I didn't enjoy psych. I enjoy the management/leadership role. I thought that I needed 2 years experience based on what I read when I did job searches, but thanks for the new information. I will take everyone advice into consideration and do what I must do, because I truly don't see the longevity of this job for me.

Thank you Anna. I'm 100 percent guilty in trying to do the impossible. lol

Hi. Yes I do, I got it from Colorado Technical University Online.

Okay, 1. Yes, I am passive to some extent, but I hardly think that 7 months of DON experience will get me another DON job position so quick ( So that's why i'm hanging on). 2. Verbal slap--- Not really needed, because I already have acknowledge what the truth is--I am in deed being taken advantage. 3. Allowing myself to be taken advantage---- Yes. I am....I feel like I have to, FOR NOW. But no, i'm not a fool, i'm only buying my time. 4. Excuses to prevent change----- In general I love what I do- I don't love the conditioned that i'm forced to do it in---I love the field i'm in--- I don't love the lack of support---But I have already implemented changes that will help improve the circumstances, such as hiring more full time nurses, and allocating more responsibility and accountability to the nurses that I supervise. In conclusion-- I'm in a "F"-Up situation, and my thread definitely generated some much needed word of encouragement and advice, that I will certainly input into my worklife. Thanks.

Your right, If I should walk out today, they wouldn't know what to do with themselves. There would be no one to even train someone for my position. The problem I have with reporting my supervisor is that the company is a "tight knit" group. I'm the outsider, they all have been in the company for 30+ years, everyone knows each other, goes to each other house for BBQ etc. it would come off as "Who's this lady think she is complaining to us". I quiet literally have no one to speak to. There are Coordinators of Residential services, and they appear to be silently suffering too. Everyone is afraid to speak up about the overwhelming workload. Just to make it additionally clear....I'm not afraid of hard work at all, but this is beyond ridiculous. ( I literally have my work laptop next to me right now, so I can respond to emails).

Your absolutely right. Thats exactly what i'm doing right now, but its also time consuming having to train and build morale of these nurses. Most don't care or wish to do more, because they feel unappreciated. I have made a lot of progress since I started in my role as DON, but the "clean up" its taking quite sometime and energy.

The problem is I am new to being a DON. I need at least 2 years experience in that role to build a strong resume. I worked very hard to get the position, that is why I can not just give it up.

lol. this is Hilarious. I have convinced myself that "Allnurses" is good for me, so its okay to take a break from my homework to see whats new. lol

Yes, the job was too much, but she hid it well, and she had me to help her with most of her job, because even as field nurse I was doing so much more than what was required of me. I still keep in contact with her, and I asked her how she did it? Her response to me was that she thanks God for sending me to her, because she didn't know how she would of to last with out my help. Her advice to me, was to hang in there and get as much experience as I could and then "do what I have to do". But in 7 month in this position the agency has grown by 100 new patients, and still growing. I will definitely do my best not to be burn out....But I guess even posting here, is a reflection of the internal frustrations that I currently have.

Thank you everyone for your wise words and encouragement. Sometimes, I drive myself crazy thinking to myself "Is this the way its supposed to be?" or "Is it truly me that can't handle the job". But NO, its not meet, I'm giving 200 percent of myself, and sacrificing my personal life, and my time with my family. It can't be me. So thank you again everyone.

Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks.

your 100 percent right! Nurses in general don't seem to be to respected in the developmental disability division that i'm in. I'm working on changing that right now, thats why quitting is not an option for me. But they also see the hard worker that I am, and more so that I have something to prove, so they pile on the work. Sometimes I get pulled to do some of his work- Such as signing off on certain billing, preparing executive responses for him ( so that he can review and sign off like its his). Attending certain meeting in his place. Just to name a few ( All things that prepare me for the future, but nonetheless removes me from the time that I could be allocating to my own work). Sometimes I feel like they are watching me and wondering how much can we make her do before she breaks ( I'm to stubborn to break), but I don't want to be the fool either.

Typically I can come up with a comment like this...However I'm in a rocky position, of no prior experience as DON, and building my experience now. I feel he knows this and that is why so much is being thrown at me, ( he knows I won't leave, because I need this right now). But I will copy your statement and memorize it for my one year mark- I can hopefully flex some muscles by then :)

Thank you for the response Kryptonite. I have actually created my own job description (based on the two week orientation that I had), There were none in place before me. I worked in the company as a field nurse, so I already knew most of the policy and procedures ( which helped me survive the transition). I believe that's part of the reason the last Director left, she grew with the company and the job descriptions grew with her until it became too much. She highly recommended me, and warned me that there would be a lot of work, but to get all the experience that I could ( Just didn't know it would be this much). I pretty much work 12 hour days and weekend just to ensure that I don't fall behind, and not to mention the 24/7 on call. The company that I work for is growing rapidly, and it seems that because of this growth the demands on me is getting more and more. I have asked for an assistant, but my supervisor ( Also know as the Executive Vice president of the company) laughed at me, and asked me "If I was overwhelmed" and "If I didn't think I could handle the job". He used intimidation techniques knowing full well that it wasn't about being overwhelmed, its merely about me doing a three person job and not getting any help. (I feel pretty helpless in the situation, Its an awesome experience and I love what I do. Just wish I had helped and support). **Maybe this thread was more of a vent for me.

That sound even better. I'm 100 percent dedicated, and I'm sure I'll be able to do this now. Thank you so much for clarifying for me Klone.

Hi everyone. I'm director of nursing for a company (in Developmental disability division), and I love what I do, however I have no assistant, and I supervise 20 nurses, and over see the complete medical care and well being of over 300 individuals. I'm on call 24/7, and it seems to me that I have an open job description that never ends. Every other day a new task gets added to my job description. This is my first experience in this position so I have not to complain (and quiet honestly, I'm afraid to complain), but I can't help but feel that I am being taken advantage of. I don't quiet know what to do (Im definitely not quitting). I just wish I had more understanding of what the limitations are, so I can focus on doing my job effectively. I'

Do you currently go to WGU? Hows the process for you?

Wonderful, thank you. For some reason I thought that this was about doing certain number of hours in a clinical setting. I don't see why this type of research would take 6 months.