karmababy

Quick update, a week after a fairly dismal survey the administrator of 4 months was asked to leave. I have taken full responsibility for the survey and resigned only to have my corporate boss ask that I reconsider ( I did). I continue to lose staff to facilities who pay more or offer 12 hr shifts and have more agency staff in the building than my own. I have not even interviewed a nurse for 2nd shift in 2 months! I am trying to run a 140 bed SNF with myself and one unit manager and can not keep my head above water, I am called in at all hours. To those of you doing the job, is this really what the job is like? And if so, what keeps you going back?

Really looking for some insight from those of you that have far more experience then I do. Quick background, I have over 21 years experience in both long term and acute care nursing and was ADON at my last facility. I just finished my first year as a DON at a 140 bed SNF and have never felt so defeated in all of my life. Nothing in this place works, from policies to the staff. We have gone from a 2 star to a 1 star during my tenure largely in part to 3 complaint surveys (d/t staffing) and a drop in our QM's) again attributable to staffing. We were slayed during a mock survey by our management company (no surprise there) and I know we will have an awful survey. I have no staff, it not uncommon to be short 2 if not 3 nurses a shift (call off or have left for more money) and maybe 5 STNAs in the whole house for much the same reason. On top of it all, I have lost my scheduler and am having to do the scheduling, attendance monitoring and ordering supplies. I have broached the subject of agency ( I know a bad word) without success. Both myself and my management team are working the floors and I am unable to move forward on anything at this time. First question, and please be frank: Is this really how this position is and I am just really incompetent? and secondly should I just see the writing on the wall and find another job quick? Oh by the way the facility has just hired a new administrator..... Sorry so long but I just had to get this off my chest.

Thank you for the response, I will re-educate as you suggested.

Brand new DON, 2 months into the job. In the past 3 wks the same nurse has 1) discharged a resident with the wrong paperwork, thankfully the family noticed and brought it back the next day (HIPAA violation) and 2) discharged a resident home and sent another resident's medications home with them. The LN then called the wife and asked her to return them. When the wife refused, the LN drove to their home and exchanged the medications. She was disciplined for the 1st incident. My gut tells me to terminate but the facility is short staffed to begin with. Any thoughts would be appreciated.