DOH Walked in 20 Minutes Into My First Day as DON — Here's What Happened Next

Last Tuesday, I started a new position as a contract Director of Nursing.

You ever have one of those “you’ve GOT to be kidding me” moments?

Because 20 minutes into my first day, the Department of Health walked through the doors.

Not for a meet and greet.

Not for a casual visit.

Nope—for a COMPLAINT and ANNUAL survey. At the same time. On day one.

Welcome to the building, right?

Here’s the thing no one tells you about high-turnover facilities: They don’t just lack leadership—they lack systems.

And that means you, the new DON, walk into a landmine of chaos that’s already been smoldering for weeks or months.

📅 Morning Clinical? Barely functioning.

📆 Rounding? Inconsistent or non-existent.

🔻 Processes? No follow-through, no ownership, no structure.

Result? 20 citations. That’s not just a number—that’s a reflection of every crack in the foundation.

But I’m not here for pity. I’m here to rebuild.

💡 Lesson of the Week: PROCESSES ONLY WORK WHEN YOU WORK THEM.

Morning Clinical is NOT a checkbox. It’s your daily audit.

Rounding is NOT a stroll. It’s your real-time prevention system.

Together, they are the DON’s secret weapon for running a state-ready facility every. single. day.

And listen, I get it. If you’re new, overwhelmed, or just trying to figure out where to even start—I got you.

📚 That’s why I created The DON Training Program It’s for real nurse leaders who want to stop the madness and lead with confidence, clarity, and structure.

✨ If you’re ready to stop surviving and start THRIVING as a DON,

Click here to enroll → directorofnursingtraining.com

Let’s lead like the pros we are.

—Bilquis Ali, RN National DON Trainer

Founder, The DON Training Program

But Did You Follow Through?