Burnt-out NHA. What other career options do we have?

I've been in the industry for over a decade and have served as mostly a trouble-shooter to some of the worst homes out there. I was the guy to send to the NHs that had multiple IJ's and were about to be closed. I have tackled every issue possible in 30+ homes in several states. I was known as a great survey administrator, a census development expert, I delivered great financials, and I always tried to do the right thing for our residents...regardless.

The stress of this job can be unbearable. I have tried to scale it back in the last couple of years, but I still see the same problems. I have gotten to the point where I dislike the industry, the companies, and especially the surveys that I used to thrive in.

I am sick of working for regional directors that are alcoholics, idiots, or simply were not a good hire and no one seems to realize it.

I am sick of NHAs only being able to last a year or 2 at each facility.

I am sick of dealing with family members that we've never seen before & when momma goes on hospice, all of a sudden, they come out of the woodwork. And, they love to threaten my facility and even myself, slander my staff, and throw the "I'm going to sue" BS around. I've never had a lawsuit, but it still gets my blood boiling.

I'm sick of surveys. This is the stupidist system in healthcare today. They send in a team of people who 90% of the time have never worked in a nursing home (the other 10% did work in a nursing home and couldn't hack it) and these people go off on either a power trip or a personal mission to "clean up the nursing homes". And, they have no clue. I think every surveyor should be required to work a year in a nursing home.

My question is: When the industry has used us up and spit us out, where do we go from here? What options does a good Administrator have when he wants out of the NH business, away from families, surveys, etc.? Thanks for any guidance because at present I can't find my way out of this quicksand.

How about becoming a teacher? If you can deal with the travel commitment, there are companies that provide continuing education courses for NHAs, RCFEs, and RNs. Hook-up with one of them and put your decade of experience to good use! I'm sure that your State licensing office can provide you with a listing of approved CEU vendors. In California, the pay rate for an instructor is about $300 plus your travel expenses are all reimbursed.

No offense, but I wouldn't want this anonymous poster anywhere near soon-to-be NHA's. I think he needs a clean break from an industry which has clearly exhausted him.

As a suggestion, I would recommend other healthcare Admin positions. I've seen NHA's run homecare, hospice, laser centers (whatever that means), physician's practices, etc. Some other area might now be as crazy as the NH world.

Good luck in whatever path you follow.

NHA1, you must have been reading my mind! I have been struggling with the very same thoughts during the past couple of months. Some days it feels so very hopeless - hard to find staff who care and have a decent work ethic, tired of the crappy emails from corporate about census when every other facility within a 1,000 mile radius is just as low on medicare as I am if not more, tired of wanting to make things better for the residents but running into brick walls with time and money. I have thought about being a walmart greeter or opening a doggy daycare. What a pleasant change that would be. It only seems as though the whole healthcare system is going to get worse as funding gets cut more and more. NHA1, I hear you and resonate so much with your thoughts - wish I had the answers. Part of me just doesn't want to give up because I fear who will come in and take my place and watch over these residents I love so dearly. I have seen so many crappy administrators who just don't care about what we're really supposed to be there for but are more interested in self glory and a fat paycheck. NHA1, I think the residents need you.

NHA1 have you thought about Hospital Administration, County Health Department Administration, or a small Nursing Home in the country.You have taken on the worst of the worst, and it has taken its toll on you. Universities with Health Management degrees are great places to get advise from the department chairs or career centers about changing fields. Narrow down the attributes you like best about being a nursing home administrator and take your list with you if you go to visit, or look up online other careers that use those skills.
I graduated from Oregon State University last year with a BS in Health Management and conscience desire to be a NHA. This is a career change for me. I did my AIT and have been looking for my first facility since May. I then went on to become licensed in California as well as Oregon thinking this would make me more employable. At last I received a job offer out in the middle of the state with a mental health locked unit attached. After 8 days of training and interfacing with my boss(the regional) I saw the hand writing on the wall this woman was one short shove from crazy and she was NEVER going to be anything but miserable in all aspects of her job and life, so I got the hell out of Dodge and quit.
I look on the internet and apply very day without any luck.
I don't want to give up on my dream that required years of education and loads of money.
I was raised with a handicapped older brother, married a logger who promptly was disabled in a logging accident and now have taken in my ex brother in law who fell in a rock climbing accident to become brain damaged. HANDICAPPED I KNOW!!
Any advise for a career change Newbee?

Sir: You REALLY need to either take a long break or take a permanent one from being an Administraot. But I hear you bro'. Its been 20 years for me and I have finally realized that the job has controlled my life. I truly agree with just about all you have said. I personally have not had any trouble with surveys. And most of the surveyors I've dealt with have been fair, thorough, and easy to deal with. Righ now I'm trying to get a position as either an Ombudsman or surveyor. It'll be a big pay cut but in return I don't have to worrry about census, staffing , budgets, families who constantly complain, staff who will call the 'company hotline' if you look at them the wrong way, trying to make old buildings look good on a ridiculous budget, etc.

Go to spa retreat, medidate, and rid yourself of bitterness and get control. You'll get it figured out. Best wishes for you.

NHA1 in Knoxville, Tennessee said: I've been in the industry for over a decade and have served as mostly a trouble-shooter to some of the worst homes out there. I was the guy to send to the NHs that had multiple IJ's and were about to be closed. I have tackled every issue possible in 30+ homes in several states. I was known as a great survey administrator, a census development expert, I delivered great financials, and I always tried to do the right thing for our residents...regardless.

The stress of this job can be unbearable. I have tried to scale it back in the last couple of years, but I still see the same problems. I have gotten to the point where I dislike the industry, the companies, and especially the surveys that I used to thrive in.

I am sick of working for regional directors that are alcoholics, idiots, or simply were not a good hire and no one seems to realize it.

I am sick of NHAs only being able to last a year or 2 at each facility.

I am sick of dealing with family members that we've never seen before & when momma goes on hospice, all of a sudden, they come out of the woodwork. And, they love to threaten my facility and even myself, slander my staff, and throw the "I'm going to sue" BS around. I've never had a lawsuit, but it still gets my blood boiling.

I'm sick of surveys. This is the stupidist system in healthcare today. They send in a team of people who 90% of the time have never worked in a nursing home (the other 10% did work in a nursing home and couldn't hack it) and these people go off on either a power trip or a personal mission to "clean up the nursing homes". And, they have no clue. I think every surveyor should be required to work a year in a nursing home.

My question is: When the industry has used us up and spit us out, where do we go from here? What options does a good Administrator have when he wants out of the NH business, away from families, surveys, etc.? Thanks for any guidance because at present I can't find

Contact me at bstevens1973@yahoo.com if you are truly interested in helping people & a career change.