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Bilquis Ali
Nov 8, 20244 min read
The Number One Misconception About Nurses Working in Nursing Homes
There’s a persistent and frustrating myth about nurses working in nursing homes: that they don’t have the clinical skills needed to work...

Bilquis Ali
Nov 7, 20242 min read
Mindful Leadership: When Your Environment Starts Shaping Who You Are
I made a change in my career path. Still working as a nurse leader, I took on a challenge that would allow me to explore a new area of...


Bilquis Ali
Nov 4, 20242 min read
My Top 5 Must-Have to Be Survey Ready
Hey boo hey! Let’s dive into my top five must-haves to be survey ready! Number 1: Rounding with a Purpose Let me see if you guessed...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 27, 20245 min read
Beyond the Clock: How Focusing on Value Can Boost Your Income as a DON
When I first stepped into the role of Director of Nursing, I was like many others—I focused on how much I’d make per hour. It seemed...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 27, 20243 min read
How to Get IT Done: Educate Before You Delegate
Hey, let’s be real—being a leader isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about knowing how to get shit done by working smart, not...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 21, 20242 min read
Digging Deep: The Importance of Root Cause Analysis in Nursing
It's Monday morning, and you're coming off the weekend. Depending on what that entails, let's dive into root cause analysis this morning...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 20, 20242 min read
Embrace Self-Care Sunday: Prioritize Your Well-Being
Today was my planned Self-Care Sunday, and it felt so good to lay in bed for an extra three hours. Typically, I'm up at 4 AM, but today I...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 18, 20242 min read
Responsiblities of a Director of Nursing in the Nursing Home Setting
When people ask me, "What does a Director of Nursing (DON) do?" I often respond, "What don’t they do?" And I think that’s a fair...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 15, 20242 min read
Creating a Culture of Feedback: Empowering Our Nursing Team
You ever get the call from the administrator saying, "We need to meet?" Suddenly, your stomach drops, unsure of what the conversation is...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 14, 20243 min read
How to Avoid Burnout as a Single Mom and Nurse Leader
Leading a household and a healthcare facility can quickly lead to burnout if you don’t find a balance and effective ways to manage your...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 13, 20242 min read
6 Key Questions to Ensure Effective Communication in Nursing
You ever communicate with someone and think that you have covered the information thoroughly, only to later learn that that person or...


Bilquis Ali
Oct 1, 20242 min read
Discussing Advance Directives
The Conversation We All Need: Discussing Advance Directives I wanted to talk to you about something that we don’t often discuss—Advance...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 29, 20244 min read
How to Transform Your Facility in 90 Days
Yes, I know what you're thinking— “Really? How am I supposed to do that?” But here’s the thing: you can, and you will. Transformation...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 27, 20242 min read
What Keeps You Up At Night?
Can you relate to that picture? Waking up frantically in the middle of the night, heart racing as you scramble to answer the phone. I...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 26, 20242 min read
Preparing for October: Your Friendly Reminder
Can you believe we have just four more days left in this month? October is right around the corner! With that in mind, I want to focus on...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 25, 20242 min read
From One DON to Another: The Heart and Hustle of Being a DON
I know there are times when you think you’ve chosen the wrong career. Just when you feel like you’ve got it all figured out, here comes...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 23, 20242 min read
Salary Secrets for Directors of Nursing: Claim Your Worth!
Let’s dive right in! Questions about salary are among the top inquiries I receive from candidates aspiring to become Directors of Nursing...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 21, 20243 min read
Implementing New Policies: How to Roll Out New Policies Without Losing Your Team's Trust
Let’s face it—implementing new policies can feel like you’ve just been handed a bomb with the timer already ticking. I remember getting...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 18, 20243 min read
Stop Being Soft: The Tough Love You Need as a Director of Nursing
Let’s be real for a minute—the role of a Director of Nursing is no walk in the park. If you’re here expecting a soft ride, I hate to...


Bilquis Ali
Sep 17, 20243 min read
When to Walk Away: Knowing It's Time to Leave Your Job as a Director of Nursing
As a coach and mentor, I'm frequently asked, "When is it time to throw in the towel?" And honestly, my answer is pretty much the same...
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