Some Insight Please...

What does an executive director even do?

Is that a nursing job? It sounds more business oriented by the title.

You are right, it is very business oriented. The ED basically runs the entire facility. There would be a nursing director under me to handle the bulk of the nursing matters, then floor nurses who pass meds, do treatments, etc... The ED would also oversee various other departments such as activities, dietary, maintainance, sales.

Obviously a big change from nursing, but would benefit from being looked at from a nurses perspective

Don't you need an administrator's license to be an administrator? Maybe ALF is different in that regard but all the administrator's I know have a license.

If you want it, then apply, but it seems like a job that would go to a nurse with 20 years of experience or someone with a healthcare administration degree or something.

You don't need a license for this level of admin. (At least where I am in New York). I just recently did the same thing in my community. My ED left for another position, and I applied for hers. I will start as soon as the new DON is settled. I feel that an RN makes a great administrator if you have the drive. Just keep in mind that all departments are working toward the common goal of providing great care, and keep on top of census. It's exciting to venture into a new field after so many years as a nurse.

You'll do better than you realize. In Texas you don't have to be a LNFA to be an ED of an ALF. And it's a blessing for those of us working with you on the case mgmt. Side coming from SNF's because ALF's have had an issue in my area anyway of having to meet corporate admission goals and trying to force inappropriate d/c's grom SNF's to meet them trying to convey why that's a no bueno idea to a non-clinically licensed ED is very difficult.

And I came from agency nursing as an LVN doing LTAC and the VA Nursing Facility and then moved into correctional from there. I'd been an RN 3 months when I applied for a floor nurse job at a local SNF and got hired as the ADON. I had no business in that role whatsoever but two years later I'm the DON of a building with 4 tags on my last survey...only 2 were nursing. Between the amazing teaching I'm getting every day and my want to be the best I can be for our residents and mostly our really wonderful staff, I'm figuring it out and if I can do it...I believe you can too based on your post .

Thank you guys for your encouragement... I am going to apply for the job this weekend/working on it a little bit right now. I have been ridiculously busy these last few weeks.

I worked last night and I waited around for some time because I wanted to talk to the director that is currently standing in, but ended up leaving because I have to be at work tonight as well. The day nurse actually went and spoke to her about me (she is one that has been pressuring me to apply) and was met with a resounding "she should definitely apply!" So I think that has really helped and I am just going to go for it!

Looks good on a resume.

Ask for training and more $$$ and if you are o/c 24-7.

around here the assisted living homes have had great difficulty finding and keeping management ....nursing director of wellness and admin /ceo ....mostly because they are expected to be on call and available nearly all of the time....and held accountable for what goes on there 24 hours a day. they have become so absorbed with making a profit that they squeeze every little bit they can out of their employees, beyond the point of ridiculousness

Good luck to you! Definitely ask for training. You could probably go through an AIT and become an administrator through OTJ training, which it sounds like could be a good career move for you (I did this a while back, not sure on specifics for your area). Good luck!

Nugget,

I know this has been up for a few weeks, but trust me- your anxiety is well founded, but isn't it true that all things that create anxiety and discord can help us grow? I had little experience in LTC when I took an ADON and then DON position in skilled long term care and it turned out very well. If you want to do it, I think you should, but do it SMART. Make sure that you have CORPORATE support and that you have other resources available to you. You cannot do it alone- the key to my success was to always ask questions and when i wasn't sure, I called my friend who was a DON. Also, just because you have less nursing experience does not mean that you haven't had other business experience. What did you do before nursing? All experience is experience, not just nursing. It is a lot of regulation and be prepared to spend your OWN time reading and learning them. Use SLIDESHARE and google to find all kinds of powerpoints and education on things that will help you. Good luck whatever you decide!