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 starts with you as the leader, and the success of your facility hinges on the work you do on yourself first.
That’s why I always say, “Work harder on yourself than you do on the job.”
Why?
Because as a Director of Nursing, your role is more than just running a clinical team—you are the person managing a variety of personalities, and each one needs to be approached differently.
You need to connect with your team at their level, not yours. Let’s break this down, step by step.
1. Lead with Policy and Include Your Team
One common mistake is when new leaders jump in and make changes without asking the people who will be affected.
This can make everyone unhappy and uncooperative.
Instead, get your team involved from the start. Let them help with the changes.
For example, rather than announcing, “I need to roll out a new policy,” you could say, “We have a new policy we all need to follow.”
This subtle shift in language creates a sense of shared responsibility and fosters unity within the team.
2. Master the Art of Managing People
To truly transform your facility, you need to excel not just in clinical expertise but also in understanding people.
You’ll encounter a range of personalities—from the overachiever who thrives on recognition to the quieter team member who prefers to work behind the scenes.
Your job is to meet each individual where they are, recognizing their unique strengths and challenges.
Before introducing major changes, take the time to have individual conversations with key team members.
Ask for their input and genuinely listen. Sometimes, people just want to feel heard, and that acknowledgment can be a game changer.
Remember, “We” is always more powerful than “I.” When your team feels involved in the decision-making process, they’re more likely to support the changes you implement.
And when it comes to managing staff, I encourage you to be kind, not just nice.
Being nice can lead to passivity; being kind means being respectful, honest, and empathetic—qualities that will earn you the respect of your team.
3. Set an Example
You can’t expect your team to follow the rules if you don’t follow them yourself.
It’s very important to lead by example.
If you want your team to wash their hands, make sure you do it first.
If you want them to treat residents kindly, show them that kindness in everything you do.
It’s not enough to just tell people what to do; you need to show them how.
4. Use Helpful Guides
To be a good leader, you need to know the rules and guidelines that help nursing homes.
Use resources like the AHCA Long-Term Care Survey Manual to make sure you are doing everything correctly.
Following these guides helps keep your team focused and on track.
5. Focus on Three Important Steps
To really change your facility, use these three important steps:
Lead Generation: Just like in business, you’re always making connections. Build trust with your team and get to know them better. Keep communication open so everyone feels involved.
Lead Nurturing: Once you have a good team, take care of those relationships. Make sure your staff feels heard and supported. Invest in their growth and help them feel like they can trust you.
Lead Conversion: Finally, turn all the hard work into results. When you invest in your team, everyone starts to do better. This will help the nursing home run smoothly and provide better care for residents.
6. Set Short Goals for Quick Wins
If you want to change your facility in 90 days, set short and easy goals.
This keeps everyone motivated and feeling good about what they accomplish.
Break the 90 days into three parts:
First 30 days: Check how things are going. Talk to staff, look at rules, and see where improvements can be made.
Next 30 days: Make changes and introduce new rules based on what you learned from your team.
Final 30 days: See how your changes worked and make adjustments if needed.
Celebrate every little win along the way because progress, no matter how small, is still a step forward.
Final Thoughts
Changing things for the better doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right mindset and tools, you can make great changes in just 90 days.
It all starts with you! As a leader, focus on improving yourself, understanding your team, and setting a good example.
By using resources to guide you and involving your team every step of the way, you’ll create a nursing home that runs well and takes good care of its residents.
Take Your Leadership to the Next Level
If you're ready to transform your facility and grow as a leader, consider joining my Leadership & Growth Collective for Directors of Nursing.
With three membership tiers, you can choose the level of support that fits your goals:
Basic Membership: Perfect for new DONs building foundational leadership skills.
Premium Membership: For those seeking personalized coaching and business opportunities.
Elite Membership: For ambitious DONs wanting exclusive access to top-tier resources and VIP networking opportunities.
Each tier provides access to live sessions, expert guest speakers, and resources tailored to your unique challenges as a DON.
Join the group that’s not only transforming facilities but also careers.
This is right on target and very much needed (unfortunately for the current state of many facilities) so I send many thanks on providing not only the steps but the encouragement that it can be done!
Andrea Brown