How long would you give it?

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

I am a new grad LPN. I had 3 job offers and numerous more interviews but I chose this one because of location and pay.

I was hired pt, 2 days per week, as I still have young kids, a workaholic husband and am still working on prereqs for the RN bridge program.

I had 6 days of orientation to float for 2 halls, one is LTC with about 25 residents(but can have up to 34), and the other is rehab with approx 16 residents (can be up to 24).

This facility was taken over by a new company mid April (I started May 1st)...so there are LOTS of changes. Almost every week at least one of the older nurses is resigning. There is an interim DNS. We are moving to eMars soon.

Twice in a month now my schedule has been changed without my notification. I know things are in chaos right now with all the changes, nurses leaving.....but I need to be notified. I have been working 4-5 days per week instead of 2 because of all the short staffed. I keep getting reassured things will settle down.

How long do I wait? I don't want to job surf....but this is really stressful too for my first job. I am doubting going into nursing right now if it will be like this everywhere.

Please tell me this is NOT normal. How long does it take for things to settle down when a new company takes over?

Thanks,

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

There is no one answer. Each company 'takeover' is different depending on the company. Electronic documentation is where we are all headed. Maybe the older nurses don't like to change...although I more than qualify as an 'older' nurse.

[amoLucia]

It's almost inevitable that a new corporate takeover will generate change in the facility as corporations freq try to align all the sister facilities into similar P&P and with supplies and paperwork. It will take some time to settle down and that does depend on numerous variables pertaining both to your facility and the new corp.

What seems to be your biggest & primary hurdle is to get your scheduling down to what's acceptable for you. Talk to your staffing person or DON about your needs - maybe be nice & give them 1 extra day/wk if you can to help them out during this transition period. Just be aware that with freq resignations and the upcoming vacation season there will be a lot of staffing spots to be filled, so speak up now. And be just as firm as you can.

This will be a bumpy ride time - so just flow with it. But it does freq take some time. Since you're new, you're not entrenched into too many old habits, so this is the time to learn their new ways.

Good luck - this too shall pass.

PS - Just a heads up --- when corporate ownership, the Administrator and/or DON changes, there may be an unannounced State survey coming. It freq occurs with the change. This may just may add to the craziness.

[freesia29, ASN, RN]

Yes, they are expecting state any day now too. Thanks..I just needed to be reassured this is all normal and should settle down hopefully soon.

[HippyDippyLPN]

Oh it's normal all right. Almost every LTC I have been in has either changed hands or a new DON. I would sit tight, you are getting to know this place and you will just start over at a new LTC and may face the same situation at some point. LTC seems to always be changing something whether its management or protocols.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Totally variable and circumstances-specific.

Good luck!

[indiechic, LPN]

I found myself in a very similar situation when I first got into nursing a couple years ago... I gave it a solid year because I know that changes often have ripple effects for many months. It was exhausting, frustrating, and crazy every day, but I'm really glad I did. After a year and a half at that facility, I left feeling that things were settled and my residents were in good hands. And onto a promotion elsewhere I went! However, sadly not every situation is like that. Good luck!