Career Corner >> Career Advice >> Accepting a DON position?
Accepting a DON position?
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Posted about 5 years ago I am torn right now. I so much enjoy patient care. Being out in the field seeing patients in home. You get a real chance for education and getting to know the patient as a whole. I have been offered a DON position. I would have to be in the office every day, all day. Probably not a lot of patient contact. I would be able to teach still just to the nurses not the patients. A lot of paper work, politics on and on. I am really torn here. Is there anyone out there who has been in this position that can give me some advice? The benefits of making my own schedule is huge with all my kids. If I need to pick up one of my kids early, I can be there, lunch with one of my kids, I can be there, I would loose that freedom, it would be challenging though, I just don't know, help! A busy RN is here |
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| Posted about 5 years ago I say do not make a quick choice on this one. I have been in this position before. It is thankless and too often 24 hours. If this is in an LTC, do not believe that you would not be out on the floor when someone calls in sick and you are short of nurses |
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| Posted about 5 years ago You have to weigh all the pros and cons.Like cdnurse said, take your time with this one. You said this job would allow you some flexibility with scheduling, but you may find you are so busy, you can't take the time off for the things you want. You may become overwhelmed with all your new duties. Sometimes, you jump out of the frying pan into the fire. I have more than once. When a job seems too good to be true , it usually isn't what it seems. Be careful! |
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| Posted about 5 years ago If it's in LTC please be careful. It is a 24/7 job with alot of phone calls at home. Colleen |
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| Posted about 5 years ago A DON in any area is an all-consuming job. If you have kids and want a life while you are young then DO NOT DO IT!!!!!! Drew |
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| Posted about 5 years ago The freedom of a flexible schedule is appealing, but the idea of being married to your place of work is not. My Director seems to think I'm destined to continue up the leadership chain. I had to disagree...as the educator, I have the best of all worlds; flexible schedule, no WE's, no holidays, I can work out in the department when I want...but the best part, I do my 40 and I go home. You have a tough choice to make. Answer these two questions: 1. Are you ready to give up clinical nursing? 2. Are you willing to belong to your occupation 24/7? |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Well spoken RNdude Drew |
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| Posted about 5 years ago I want to thank all of you fellow nurses for your responses, I am a new kid on the block here at Nurselink and really did no think I would get ANY responses back. I was offered almost 90K I don't know if that should make me take it or not?? Still confused please keep responses coming! A busy RN is here |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Sheesh...nice offer! I'd still have to defer to the same two questions, though. I know what I would do, but that doesn't help you. rndrew, thanks for the comment. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago If you live in CA, NV, or NY it is not enough. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago i am in cali and they are ripping u off... Drew |
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| Posted about 5 years ago I know it is cliche but make a pros and cons list. My aunt is a DON and I have not seen her in three years and only saw her then because my father died. Where as before when she did bedside nursing I saw her at least one a year. I am going to go out there to see her. She likes her job but says that it is stressful. And sure enough she almost always gets a phone call from work. She works at a top 10 hospital and she said that is is worse. She was one before but at smaller hospital. She said the money is REALLLL GOOD and like you said she is still able to educate but with RN's and LPN's. |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Thanks again for all the input, I did turn down the position. I thought about not seeing daylight or my family. Instead the admin created a new title for me. Training all nurses, instructing on wound care, supervisory visits and helping with marketing, Slightly less money but hey, I am still out and about with my patients, mostly... and home when the kids arrive. A busy RN is here |
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| Posted about 5 years ago Kudos to you. I know that wasn't easy. Sounds like you have a bit of all worlds, eh? |
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| Posted about 5 years ago I am hoping so, I just hope it keeps me busy during the day when kids are in school, thanks for the input. A busy RN is here |
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| Posted almost 5 years ago Your on the job 24/7. You get phone calls in the middle of the night and deal constantly with issues. You are married to the job. Colleen |
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| Posted about 4 years ago Well almost 1 year later, it has not been all that bad, busy most days but I still have a flexable schedule and leave when I need to. It has been the most frustrating for me in hiring new nurses. When did RN's become so flaky? Some would go throughorientation and then never show up again no calls, then make appt and never show up, work a few weeks then fall off the planet OMG! Where are all the good nurses hiding?? A busy RN is here |
