Description Primary Responsibilities The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) will assist in ensuring the provision of quality care that promotes the highest practicable physical, mental and psychological well-being of each resident as determined by resident assessments and individual plans of care. Essential Functions Administrative Functions: Handle and/or assist the Director of Nurses in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating and directing the day-to-day functions of the nursing department in accordance with current rules, regulations and facility policies that govern the facility. Quality of Care: Handle and/or assist in developing and regularly evaluating methods for coordinating nursing services with other resident services to ensure the continuity of the residents’ total regimen of care in accordance with nursing home regulations and applicable nursing facility standards and practices. Communicate with attending physician and medical director regarding resident care issues as needed. Communicate with families regarding resident care issues when appropriate Staffing: Handle and/or assist the DON in determining the staffing needs of the nursing service department. Handle and/or assist the DON in the recruitment, hiring and training of nursing service personnel. Verify that a sufficient number of nursing staff members are available for each shift to ensure that nursing care is provided to meet the daily nursing care needs of each resident. Develop work assignments and schedules. Participate in supervising staff to ensure assigned tasks are completed and performed. Quality Assurance: Assist in the facility daily start up process. Participate in the development, maintenance and implementation of the facility’s quality assurance program for the nursing service department. Serve on the Quality Assurance Committee as assigned. Other: Assist in the review of resident clinical records as needed. Assist in the review of consultant reports and implementation of any plans of corrections as needed. May be periodically required to assist with MDS assessments and care plans if and as needed. Assist in the review of and implement appropriate compliance action regarding pertinent regulatory reports. Participate in the facility’s nursing on-call schedule. Perform any other duties deemed reasonable and necessary by the Director of Nurses. Qualifications Educational/Training Requirements Must have completed an LVN program at an accredited vocational schools, college, or university Licensing Requirements Must possess a current Texas LVN Licensure. Experience Requirements Must have experience working in a skilled nursing facility for at least 3 years Preferred to possess a current RUG certification Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative but not necessary all inclusive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to effectively communicate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Action Rarely Occasionally Frequently Lifting - 1-25 lbs X Lifting - 25-50 lbs X Lifting - 50 lbs X Carrying - 1-25 lbs X Carrying - 25-50 lbs X Carrying - 50 lbs X Pushing/Pulling - 1-25 lbs X Pushing/Pulling - 25-50 lbs X Pushing/Pulling - 50 lbs X Sliding/Transferring - 1-25 lbs X Sliding/Transferring - 25-50 lbs X Sliding/Transferring - 50 lbs X Standing X Sitting X Walking X Speaking X Driving X Balancing/Climbing X Stooping/Kneeling X Crouching/Crawling X Reaching X Hearing/Listening X Seeing X Turning/Twisting/Leaning X
This is a preview of the job listing. The full posting includes complete compensation details, benefits package, qualification requirements, and application instructions.
General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.
Nursing roles in senior living are fundamentally different from hospital nursing. Most positions involve building long-term relationships with the same residents over months or years rather than cycling through new patients every shift. Facilities in the Houston area typically require an active Texas RN or LVN license, current CPR/BLS certification, and many prefer at least one year of geriatric or long-term care experience.
Shift patterns vary widely — some facilities run traditional 8-hour shifts (day, evening, night), while others use 12-hour rotations. Weekend and holiday coverage is almost always part of the schedule. The nurse-to-resident ratio in assisted living is generally more favorable than in hospitals, but you will likely be the highest-level clinical staff on the floor during your shift, which means more autonomy and more responsibility for clinical judgment calls.
What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day
Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.
A typical shift starts with medication pass and resident assessments. You will review overnight notes from the previous shift, check vitals for residents on your watch list, and coordinate with CNAs on any changes in condition. Mid-shift usually involves documentation, family communication, and working with physicians on care plan updates — often by phone or telehealth rather than in-person rounds.
Depending on the facility, you may also handle admissions paperwork, manage wound care, supervise medication techs, and respond to emergencies. The documentation load in senior living is significant — state surveys and compliance requirements mean thorough charting is non-negotiable. Many nurses in this setting say the most rewarding part is knowing their residents personally and being able to notice subtle changes that a rotating hospital nurse might miss.
Houston Area Salary Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurse positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of
$47.02/hr ($97,802/yr).
The typical range is $38.29 – $50.95/hr
(25th–75th percentile).
Entry Level (10th)$69,368/yr
Houston Median$97,802/yr
Experienced (90th)$125,320/yr
vs. National Median+4.5%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area).
Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.