New Grad starting in LTC with bad rating/reviews?

[Disc_Chick]

Hi, I'm a new grad and was offered a position at a 150 bed facility. I'm really excited but scared as well. I looked them up of Medicare.gov and they received 1 out of 5 stars in almost all categories. They were also fined about 5 times in 2012 for violations. In the interview they seemed really enthusiastic about the company and making improvements, hiring more nurses, they've changed to electronic charting, etc...Also some of the management personnel have only been employed for a few months.. Could this be high turn over or them cleaning house for better staff?

I haven't had any other offers and it's been a month. Should I steer clear or take a chance? Also any input on what to expect in LTC or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Expect the worst and hope for the best. LTC usually have high turnover rates, it is sad. Get your experience but read some of the LTC threads on this board to really have your eyes open to what you are walking in to. Usually new grads are overwhelmed with little orientation.

Some nurses thrive in LTC and stay there their whole careers other get their experience and move on. But with what you are discribing, it dosnt sound pretty.

[june2009]

I have just been promoted to ADON at my facility. We are a one star facility. My place sounds very similar to what you are describing. Now, I will say that our last survey was deficiency free but I worry as we are waiting for DOH any day for this years survey. Staffing is terrible, moral is down and almost all the nurses we get quit. We are owned by a corporation and they dictate how the place is run - including staffing ratios.

I still love my facility. We have nurses/CNAs that have worked there for 30 years. We also have those few nurses and CNAs that get hired and stay. Long-term-care nursing is different that any other kind of nursing. Like LoveMyBugs said, some nurses stay in LTC their whole career. I worked PCU in the hospital and hated it. I'm a LTC nurse and that is where I have lived most of my career. I would say give it a shot and see what happens. You might be a LTC nurse too. Don't beat yourself up if you're not.