Do any of you Directors of Nursing just feel like throwing in the towel? I go home every day exhausted from trying to make sure the staff is doing the right thing, the admissions people aren't admitting people we can't take of, the families are happy, and the residents aren't plotting to overthrow the administration.
I've been in long term care for more than 20 years and a DNS for about 6. I'm thinking it's not worth the stress.
Just spouting off. I don't expect anyone to have an answer for my angst.
What I have noticed is that the DON who are stressed and nervous are usually the really good ones. They ones that get burnt out ...You have the facility and the staff in your best interest. You want it to be a nice, safe nursing home where the residents and staff are happy, but with the state of LTC these days it is almost impossible. Budget cuts and staffing and poor support from higher up will do you in.
The DONs that seem to breeze right along are the ones that don't care, don't worry and collect a pay check every week until it is time to move to the next facility.
I'm taking a whole week off...something I haven't done in 6 years. Maybe I'll come back recharged and ready to face it all again....or maybe.....
GOOD FOR YOU! Now whatever you do, DO NOT stay home & clean house all week. Go find something you really, really enjoy. Also, DO NOT worry about what is/is not getting done at work. It will be there to worry about when you get back.
I have begun to worry more about people who will take a DON job, and not realize their own limitations. I would not have a DON job again. Every nurse manager with another function should be out of the running for filling weekend and night call-offs. MDS, Medical Records, Staff Development, all are asking for serious trouble by filling in a staff shift. There is never enough staffing, for real, and also, if you staffed one-to-one, someone would complain about their assignment, so you never know when it's whining, and when it is really NOT SAFE. And some nurses are safer than others, no matter what, and your upper management cannot get their minds around that. One thing I think would help. When the DON is burned out and feeling more stress than can be considered reasonable, stop everything.
STOP EVERYTHING! Stop meetings, audits, reports, and make rounds. One room at a time. WALK. Don't take any calls, don't let anything stop you from making rounds with a census and a clipboard. Just do what Florence Nightengale told us to do....observe. BE Your eyes and ears. If your patients are clean, dressed, participating in activities, if there are no odors, no chemicals in the showers, no empty food trays (or worse, uneaten ones) from the last meal, if wheelchairs are safe and clean...then your staff is functioning well. If you make rounds, at least once a week, real rounds, uninterrupted, it is as good a motivator for everyone, as a raise. Don't just pile on more work. If something appears wrong or untenable....ask yourself "why is it that way?" instead of telling someone to clean it up ASAP.
If you can ask yourself "Why is this happening?" or if you can ask the nurses, CNA's, etc "Why do you think this is the way it is?" Listen to the first answer, which is "not enough staffing." every time. Then ask "what is enough staffing?" You will eventually get an answer that speaks to the real problem, which is probably not "staffing." You can't pay people to care, they either do or they don't.
Hello. I hear ya loud and clear about the high stress of being in a DON role in a long term care facility thanks to hearing work stories from my DON pal! I agree with the posters who encourage you to take regular vacation breaks from work in order to get rest and regroup. Have you asked your employer to cover your expenses to attend a nursing director networking/ leadership workshop? My DON pal just attended a conference in Arizona and says that venting to fellow DON's (plus traveling out of town) seemed to be very helpful to her. I also agree that if it feels right professionally (and mentally) to resign, then gracefully let this job go and press on. Best wishes.
Cape Cod...sounds like we are there together! I also have over 20+ years in LTC and have been DNS for almost 5 years now. Lately it has been a struggle to make myself go in each morning. We have climbed our way to good surveys and star ratings since I've been there (I have a wonderful nursing team that work very hard and all care.) I feel like I've beaten my head bloody trying to prevent...like you...admissions from admitting people we shouldn't be taking care of, dealing with complaining families, and unsupportive upper management/administrator. I cry on the mountain top, but noone is listening.
Recently we were forced to take an admission I (and my other nursing managers) denied...Now I find that I must have prior approval of all hires and dismissals by the administrator???...I tell him everything anyway, but if I have to wait for him to make decision...I will never be able to hire or discipline anyone! Rewrite my job description!!!
Anyway, last Friday after receiving the latest memo I boxed up my personal belongings, cleaned out my office and came home! I'll have to go back until I find something else (submitting resumes & looking), but this did something for my feelings anyway! I'm done!
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Tarheel...I get where you're at. At least my administrator supports me and would never tell me who I could hire or fire for my department. She also gives me input when there is any department head to be hired.
I am always looking for a new/better job but I'm thinking long term care is long term care and we'll face the same problems no matter where we go.
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SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
And another good one bites the dust.
Good luck, CCM.