New grad at a non-skilled nursing facility?

[Pets to People]

My money situation is desperate right now and the only job offer I have had (after puting in atleast 30 applications) is at a non-skilled, long-term care facility. The pay is great but the job is so far from what I want it's not even funny. My only responsibilities as an RN will be assessments and paperwork....that's it!

What should I do? I have to take this job, we literally are running out of money for food and had to borrow money for rent this month. If I take this job, I am afraid I will lose all that I have learned and that no hospitals will want to hire me.

I would like to volunteer or work as a tech or cna at the local hospital, but with the work schedule and family, I won't have time, so no opportunity for opening doors that way. I can go for my RN to BSN and perhaps work on some certificates, like ACLS and PALS, etc...will that help me to get a hospital job after working at a non-skilled facility for 6 months to a year?

I have worked so hard the last few years and this is so depressing. No one else in my family is a nurse in order to understand why I am so torn about taking this job. They think that it's great pay and great benefits, go for it! I think that it will ruin my career before it even starts

[ePerfect]

I put in applications everywhere and I work in LTC now. I didn't think I'd like it at first but I had to pay the bills somehow. Once I got in there it was just fine. I talked to my charge nurse and supervisor about my goals in the future and they both worked in hospitals before this (major hospitals, by the way). Both of them said this is the perfect way for a new grad to get into the medical field. It starts you off "slow." Although it real is anything but slow. When you have 30-50 residents to care for on your own it takes a lot of skill to get everything done that you need to. You learn to pass medications, assess situations (including emergency situations like stroke, heart attack and severe falls), how to speak with patients and family members, how to properly organize your time, dress wounds, deal with mental disabilities and emotional outbreaks, manage a team of staff and so many other things.

LTC gives you TONS of skills you can take with you anywhere else you go later on. You're not ruining your career by any stretch of the imagination. It takes a strong person to work with the elderly and the dying. Take the job and get the experience you need!

[ktenor]

These posts have been really helpful. As a new grad nurse who just accepted a position in a SNF, who also never wanted to work in this position- (I am very excited and nervous by the way). This opportunity will give me more skills, confidence, and EXPERIENCE then without it. I went into nursing to work in OB and women's health, but life changes, bills pile up. I wanted to know if people were successful in switching directions into a speciality such as L&D after working in LTC? Any information would be very helpful. Thanks!

[ePerfect]

These posts have been really helpful. As a new grad nurse who just accepted a position in a SNF, who also never wanted to work in this position- (I am very excited and nervous by the way). This opportunity will give me more skills, confidence, and EXPERIENCE then without it. I went into nursing to work in OB and women's health, but life changes, bills pile up. I wanted to know if people were successful in switching directions into a speciality such as L&D after working in LTC? Any information would be very helpful. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure you can go anywhere once you have some experience under your belt. My aunt has been a nurse for over 30 years and according to her it doesn't matter where the experience comes from as long as it's experience. You might have to take baby-steps to get to where you want to be, though. Depending on the hospital they may want you to work med-surge before they will place you in other units but I would apply to the OB units anyway, the worst they can say is no!