An Interview With A Director Of Nursing
“NurseExec” is the director of nursing (DON) at a 120-bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) that has a 50/50 mix of patients needing short-term rehab and long-term care.
After working in the OR as a circulator nurse, she started out as a charge nurse in her current building, which entailed pushing a med cart and taking care of 20 patients. After nine months, she was promoted to Risk Manager and three years later became the DON.
She starts her day at 7am by rounding on nursing units, consulting with unit managers on clinical issues, and dealing with grievances and employee issues. She checks in with the charge nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), checks shower rooms and utility rooms. Then it’s off to Morning Standup with department heads, followed by clinical rounds with the interdisciplinary team to discuss new admissions, new orders, and a report for the last 24 hours. Most days this is all followed with other meetings, lasting until 11am or so.
The afternoon is filled with reports, employee issues, clinical and education issues, pharmacy issues, and another rounding of patients. She typically ends her day at 4pm.
What do you like about your job?
Every day is a different set of challenges. I have great benefits and a wonderful team to work with.
What frustrates you about your job?
People who know the right thing to do, yet don’t do it. Makes me crazy! Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at code blog - tales of a nurse*
