Should I go or stay?

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

So....here's the abbreviated version of the story. My DNS was fired today. She knew it was coming and I knew it was coming...she told me everything. I've been with the company for almost 7 years....been ADNS for 17 months with excellent reviews and no complaints from anyone. I was told...more like had to drag it out of the Executive Director...wait, the INTERIM ED, we've had 10 of them in 6 years with ANOTHER new one coming next month, that the new DNS would be starting on Wednesday.

I am so angry that I wasn't considered for the position. I work for a huge corporation and they do things without any regard for anyone....so here is the question. Do I stay in my relatively safe position as ADNS (after all, it's the DNS who takes the hit for everyone else's mistakes) or should I go elsewhere? I do not feel at all appreciated....well....the CNAs told me they were mad that I wasn't going to be the new DNS so I guess that's something. any advice will be appreciated...and by the way, I've heard the new person has never been a DNS so they can't say she has experience..and don't tell me to ask the ED..she'll lie to my face and smile the whole way.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

Sorry you weren't considered for the position. Sounds like its time to dust off the old resume and start shopping for DNS positions at other LTCs. You could always get at meeting with the ED, tell him/her that your future career goals include becoming a DNS, and you were wondering what qualities an employer looks for. Then, you can interview prepared. You might as well utilize your resources... (insert evil laugh here...)

Good luck!

Blee

So....here's the abbreviated version of the story. My DNS was fired today. She knew it was coming and I knew it was coming...she told me everything. I've been with the company for almost 7 years....been ADNS for 17 months with excellent reviews and no complaints from anyone. I was told...more like had to drag it out of the Executive Director...wait, the INTERIM ED, we've had 10 of them in 6 years with ANOTHER new one coming next month, that the new DNS would be starting on Wednesday.

I am so angry that I wasn't considered for the position. I work for a huge corporation and they do things without any regard for anyone....so here is the question. Do I stay in my relatively safe position as ADNS (after all, it's the DNS who takes the hit for everyone else's mistakes) or should I go elsewhere? I do not feel at all appreciated....well....the CNAs told me they were mad that I wasn't going to be the new DNS so I guess that's something. any advice will be appreciated...and by the way, I've heard the new person has never been a DNS so they can't say she has experience..and don't tell me to ask the ED..she'll lie to my face and smile the whole way.

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

You could give the new DNS a chance to show you what she/he is made of, you may be pleasantly surprised. Sometimes decisions are made in order to accomplish a specific set of goals, usually they are looking for "new blood'. Doesn't mean that the new DNS is going to be bad. If you like where you are and what you are doing, give her/him a chance.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/Ortho/Psych.

I worked for a skilled nursing facility for 4 years and was treated the same way, but probably worse than this. I recently was fired after excellent evals and raises. I am at a hospital now and am treated great!!!!;) Good luck

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

In my opinion it would depend mostly on exactly what YOU value most. I personally hate my current "position", but love what I do (MDS co-or). I mostly feel like I am the least recognized person in the whole place (this is because my administrator has absolutely no clue as to what kind of money I bring into the place or how the whole MDS process works). My point here is, that after much soul searching, I have decided to sit down and shut up about the whole thing because for the moment this job works the best for my family. Luckily my DON is very supportive (even though I don't think she really sees exactly what I do either) and I do have a great deal of flexibility with my schedule. If I had no children and didn't have to run to after school activities constantly - I would be out of this building so fast it wouldn't be funny. As much as I crave a new job and really crave a whole new field of nursing, I just need to do what's right for my family now, that's MY value. You just need to figure out what is most important to you. If it is a DON position - go for it. You have the experience and from previous posts I have read, you know your stuff. Anyone would hire you in a moment. If except for this one instance you are comfortable with your building and the rest of your staff (obviously have lots of CNA support), maybe you ought to stay and wait it out. Good luck with your decision. Let us know.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Thanks for all the support. I had breakfast today with my former DNS. She was madder than I was that I hadn't been given the job:angryfire :angryfire . She told me that I deserved the job and then went on to tell me not to think badly of myself (which I don't since I've been dealing with the corporation long enough to know they do things for their own reasons). She said the new DNS needs me more than I need her because I know the company, the players, the systems.....imagine, SHE was the one who got fired, but she was giving me a pep talk. Her advice was to stick it out and keep looking for a DNS position elsewhere.

NASCAR, thanks for the kind words. I used to have your job so I know how a good MDS person can make or break the business.

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They blame the DNS for everything and you'd be next. If you like your salary and who you work with, why leave? Would you really want to be a DNS for them?

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Hey Cape Cod,

I have seen your posts alot on this web-site. You seem to know your stuff. Let me tell you the ADNS has it made at our facility. I would be happy with an ADNS position. If you are happy with that, keep it, if you really feel that you want a DNS position, go find one. I will tell you....the DNS at my facility runs her butt ALOT more that the ADNS. Good luck to you, and again, I have seen your posts here before and I have great respect for you and your information that you give. I look forward to reading your posts.

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I agree with a lot of the above. Do you like your job as ADNS? Do you actually want to be DNS or are you just hurt that the position wasn't offered to you? I would stay long enough to see what the new DNS is like, if y'all get along well, your job might be a lot more fun. If she turns out to be a witch, then you can always start job shopping. It sucks to feel unappreciated when you work so hard.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Here I am again with an update. I received several calls from headhunters both local and far far away offering me job opportunities....go to Monster.com and post your resume and they find you. I interviewed at a facility near here, smaller, not the same corporation I work for now. They called my old boss who of course told them I was wonderful. Then they called me and asked what they could do to get me to work for them as the ADNS...the benefits are much better....8 holidays and 17 PTO days the first year and they offered me a HUGE raise. I said yes and then gave my notice. Thanks for all your kind words and support.

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Congrats to you CapeCod...sounds like you might be a Healthsouth employee...good luck with your new position!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

:balloons: Yeah!! Good for you. Best of luck in your new position. Let us know how it goes.

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