Steps to take to become a DON? Any advice?

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

I need some advice please. I started my nursing career as an LPN years ago, became an RN a few years later and then returned to school a year later for my BSN. During this time my career has been mostly in nursing homes (some skilled and some ALF, both initially floor nursing and then as a supervisor and nurse manager), also a home health position (management) and another management position in an ADHC center. I've also been closely involved in patient care in almost all the positions even while in management.

I'd like to work as a Director of Nursing in Assisted Living, and I find that while most ALFs hire LPNs for their DON positions, some do hire RNs as well. My question is, how do I get my first DON job? I'm about to return to school in a couple weeks for my MSN in Leadership / Management, but I probably won't say anything to my potential employer about that until after I have a DON position because I don't want them thinking that I'll leave once I have my MSN.

Any advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

It seems like you might already be qualified for a DON position. My org has AL facilities with RNs as both DONs and Administrators. Going through an administrator licensing class might give you an edge, but I'm not sure it's necessary. I took the class a few years ago & it was very easy.