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 statement!
If you’ve seen the cover of the DON Strong notebook, you know it says it all—we wear many hats while managing a facility filled with staff and residents.
Key Responsibilities of a Director of Nursing
As a DON, your responsibilities can span a wide range, including:
Running Clinical Meetings: Ensuring effective communication and collaboration among healthcare staff.
Hiring and Staff Development: Recruiting qualified nursing staff and facilitating ongoing education and training.
Implementation of Policies: Developing and enforcing policies and procedures to ensure quality care and compliance with regulations.
Managing Surveys: Preparing for and managing the outcomes of state and federal surveys to maintain facility licensure.
Budgeting and Staffing: Overseeing budget management and ensuring adequate staffing levels to meet resident needs.
On-Call Responsibilities: Oh, and let’s not forget the on-call 24/7! (LOL) Being available around the clock for emergencies or critical issues that arise can certainly keep you on your toes!
But here’s the catch: most Directors of Nursing are often unaware of the full scope of responsibilities when they first step into the role.
This gap can lead to confusion and overwhelm.
A Recommended Approach for New DONs
To bridge this gap, I encourage new Directors of Nursing to take proactive steps from day one:
Meet with Each Team Member:
Schedule one-on-one meetings with your nursing staff to review their job descriptions and understand their actual responsibilities.
You’ll find that what’s documented often doesn’t align with what they do daily.
Shadow Your Team:
Spend time observing your staff in action.
This hands-on approach will help you learn the intricacies of their roles and how they contribute to resident care.
Nurture Relationships:
Remember, it’s not about coming in and making a bunch of changes immediately.
Nurturing relationships with your team is vital. Understanding their challenges and successes fosters a supportive work environment.
Develop a Plan:
After gathering this information, create a structured plan to address any necessary changes or improvements.
This thoughtful approach sets a strong foundation for your leadership.
Conclusion
Becoming a successful Director of Nursing isn’t just about the title—it’s about understanding the breadth of your responsibilities and nurturing your team along the way.
If you want to learn more about how to thrive in this role, I invite you to join my Facebook Group! Thriving Director of Nursing community.
Together, we can navigate the complexities of nursing leadership and support each other in our journeys.
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