Top 3 Fears of a DON (And How to Turn Them Into Opportunities)

Hey boo hey 👋

Being a Director of Nursing is no small task. You carry the weight of your residents, your staff, and your own license every single day.

That responsibility can feel heavy, and if we’re being real, it often shows up as fear.

But here’s the thing: being busy doesn’t mean being productive. Without clarity, you’ll end up running in circles.

That’s why today, I want you to stop, breathe, and ask yourself:

👉 What are my top 3 fears as a DON?

Write them down. And then — next to each fear — write one action step you can take to overcome it.

Here are some common fears and examples of how to turn them into opportunities:

• Fear #1: Losing staff: Action Step: Create small recognition rituals to boost morale and remind your team they’re valued.

  
  

• Fear #2: State surveyors walking in: Action Step: Develop a weekend survey checklist and keep a binder ready so your staff feels confident, not panicked.

  
  

• Fear #3: Burnout (yours or your team’s) Action Step: Set non-negotiable self-care boundaries and encourage your staff to do the same.

  
  

When you put your fears on paper and attach action steps, you shift from stuck → solution-focused.

Instead of letting fear weigh you down, you start using it as fuel to lead with strength and intentional purpose.

✨ And if you’re ready to take this further, I invite you to join my DON Clarity

System Training.

These are live calls with me where we’ll work together to get you clear, confident, and equipped to lead your team without the chaos.

👉 Sign up today to join the next live session: Bilquis Ali RN FACDONA, CDONA (@bilquisbali) | Stan

As always, lead with love ❤️Your Fav Nurse Leader, Bilquis Ali