Director of Nursing- When is enough enough.

Hi everyone.

I'm director of nursing for a company (in Developmental disability division), and I love what I do, however I have no assistant, and I supervise 20 nurses, and over see the complete medical care and well being of over 300 individuals.

I'm on call 24/7, and it seems to me that I have an open job description that never ends. Every other day a new task gets added to my job description.

This is my first experience in this position so I have not to complain (and quiet honestly, I'm afraid to complain), but I can't help but feel that I am being taken advantage of. I don't quiet know what to do (Im definitely not quitting).

I just wish I had more understanding of what the limitations are, so I can focus on doing my job effectively.

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Sounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work, I can get job descriptions, P&P, etc from our intranet. Does your company have anything like that?If not, then you and your boss need to come up with a job description for you. It's hard to measure success if you don't know what you're responsible for. But also, if more and more and more is getting dumped in your lap, you should be able to tell whether it's yours or belongs to someone else's job description, so you can hand it off to them. Don't complain, but do say that you're being pulled in many directions and need a job description so you know where your focus should be. This is your first time in this role, so if you have no definition of what it looks like, how are you supposed to succeed at it? Just frame it that way, that you need help maximizing your effectiveness. HTH

Quote from Red KryptoniteSounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work. . HTH

I have asked for an assistant, but my supervisor ( Also know as the Executive Vice president of the company) laughed at me, and asked me "If I was overwhelmed" and "If I didn't think I could handle the job". He used intimidation techniques knowing full well that it wasn't about being overwhelmed, its merely about me doing a three person job and not getting any help.

The executive vice president is not going to improve your situation, he doesn't respect you, get out before you burnt out.

O Dear. F That S___

Quote from scottaprnNo Sir I don't feel overwhelmed but I do feel that it is important that we continue to provide support to our nurses and outstanding care to our patients. Due to the amazing job the company is doing we have grown tremendously. That means that the DON position has changed from managing ___ nurses and ____ patients to ____ nurses and ____ patients. The only way to provide superior care and to keep growth at this rate is to expand the management team from 1 person.

Quote from dishesThe executive vice president is not going to improve your situation, he doesn't respect you, get out before you burnt out.

You work for a for profit company that is working you like a mule to boost the corporate bottom dollar.Take your knowledge, experience and dedication and run.

Quote from Red KryptoniteSounds like it's time for a sit-down with your superior. Did you see a job description when you were hired? If not (tsk,tsk) do you know where you can find it? Where I work, I can get job descriptions, P&P, etc from our intranet. Does your company have anything like that?If not, then you and your boss need to come up with a job description for you. It's hard to measure success if you don't know what you're responsible for. But also, if more and more and more is getting dumped in your lap, you should be able to tell whether it's yours or belongs to someone else's job description, so you can hand it off to them. Don't complain, but do say that you're being pulled in many directions and need a job description so you know where your focus should be. This is your first time in this role, so if you have no definition of what it looks like, how are you supposed to succeed at it? Just frame it that way, that you need help maximizing your effectiveness. HTH

Quote from Been there,done thatTake your knowledge, experience and dedication and run.

Thank you everyone for your wise words and encouragement. Sometimes, I drive myself crazy thinking to myself "Is this the way its supposed to be?" or "Is it truly me that can't handle the job". But NO, its not meet, I'm giving 200 percent of myself, and sacrificing my personal life, and my time with my family. It can't be me. So thank you again everyone.

There was a reason the person before you left. If you can last a year, bless you. But the Vice President will probably work you like a dog & my guess is you will burn out before your year is up. Good luck to you.