two weeks enough for new grad in SNF/LTC?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hi all,

I am contemplating on accepting an offer from a Skilled nursing facility (post-acute care and long term care) near my home. A a new grad RN in the East Coast where there is a major new rn glut (especially for acute care), I should take it right away. I am hesitant because orientation is only two weeks, and they told me I am in charge of my own learning. Have never worked in a healthcare facility aside from receptionist duties, so I am wary. They assured me they are going to provide me with mentors, and schedule my days when these mentors are available. I am going to be THE ONLY NEW GRAD RN. As a policy, they usually only take experienced nurses but were willing to take a gamble on me since they see potential (I was quite flattered). I am not exactly sure of what a nurse in an SNF/LTC does for her to be able to handle more than a dozen patients in 8 hours.

I do have another option, which is a psych hospital , but is is more than an hour drive. It has a sub-acute medical unit, a gero-psych unit, 5 wks orientation and better pay (state benefits). Which new nurse experience do you think is better to help me land a hospital job in geri acute care in the future?

0 Votes
Hi all,

I am contemplating on accepting an offer from a Skilled nursing facility (post-acute care and long term care) near my home. A a new grad RN in the East Coast where there is a major new rn glut (especially for acute care), I should take it right away. I am hesitant because orientation is only two weeks, and they told me I am in charge of my own learning. Have never worked in a healthcare facility aside from receptionist duties, so I am wary. They assured me they are going to provide me with mentors, and schedule my days when these mentors are available. I am going to be THE ONLY NEW GRAD RN. As a policy, they usually only take experienced nurses but were willing to take a gamble on me since they see potential (I was quite flattered). I am not exactly sure of what a nurse in an SNF/LTC does for her to be able to handle more than a dozen patients in 8 hours.

I do have another option, which is a psych hospital , but is is more than an hour drive. It has a sub-acute medical unit, a gero-psych unit, 5 wks orientation and better pay (state benefits). Which new nurse experience do you think is better to help me land a hospital job in geri acute care in the future?

Hands down take the psych hopsital position esp since you will gain some acute care experience although only subacute. I took a job as a new grad LPN and the experience was horrible. I have since read a lot on this forum that LTC is the easiest and fastest way to lose your nursing license. It is difficult to get appropriate orientation, they will tell you they will provide mentors, not my experience at all. I often had the experience of working on weekends with nobody to ask questions of, not even RN coverage.

We have had a nurse on our floor who came from LTC and did not have the trouble transitioning from LTC to acute care. ALthough, I wouldn't wait too long after taking either position since you will have more success if not waiting too long. Ever think about moving to an area where less of a new grad glut exists? Lots of jobs for new grads in Arizona.

0 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Go for the psych hospital. Its the better deal and as a new graduate you wil be getting the support you need

0 Votes

i think subacute ltc will be a good place to work for new grads. you will get used to knowing medications and giving them to the patients, you will be expert on doing wound care, and many other things. i think subacute facility is slower paced than hospital setting so you will have time to learn.

dont expect other nurses to ask you if you need some help, it will be your responsibility to ask questions if you dont know something. some nurses are pretty rude and dont want to help, but there will be other nurses who are more than willing to help you. can you ask for more orientation if you dont feel comfortable being on your own? what shift will you be working?

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i think you got it good...2 weeks orientation. most people get max 3 days and the majority of those get cut down to hours ...however, i do want to caution you that if you are "in charge of your own learning" that is code for you orientating yourself. ive been in snf all my career and if you have a dozen patients you have got it real good...probably should multiply that by 2 maybe even 3 to get the right number of patients they will give you especially if you are a floor nurse...those are just not ltc/snf ratios....i would have laughed at the person handling me that info and ask her to come back down to reality..lol take the pych hospital job...more fun and better benifits... :wink2:

hi all,

i am contemplating on accepting an offer from a skilled nursing facility (post-acute care and long term care) near my home. a a new grad rn in the east coast where there is a major new rn glut (especially for acute care), i should take it right away. i am hesitant because orientation is only two weeks, and they told me i am in charge of my own learning. have never worked in a healthcare facility aside from receptionist duties, so i am wary. they assured me they are going to provide me with mentors, and schedule my days when these mentors are available. i am going to be the only new grad rn. as a policy, they usually only take experienced nurses but were willing to take a gamble on me since they see potential (i was quite flattered). i am not exactly sure of what a nurse in an snf/ltc does for her to be able to handle more than a dozen patients in 8 hours.

i do have another option, which is a psych hospital , but is is more than an hour drive. it has a sub-acute medical unit, a gero-psych unit, 5 wks orientation and better pay (state benefits). which new nurse experience do you think is better to help me land a hospital job in geri acute care in the future?

0 Votes

OOPS! I accidentally posted the thread twice! Thank you for feedback. RNGrad2006,This is the first time I've heard that "LTC is the easiest and fastest way to lose your license". Can anybody else weigh in on this?

Graduatenurse, the SNF/LTC wants me to be on days initially when more things are happening (and when the nursing supervisor who is willing to train is around). If I say yes by tomorrow, I am supposed to start a med surg certification class on Thursday next week at a community hospital. Does anybody know how these classes are done? I am worried how I'll pass this with zero inhouse training and no floor experience!

0 Votes
Specializes in psych,maternity, ltc, clinic.

Have you actually been offered the psych job??? I worked in a geripsych unit or a couple years and got the crap beat out of me by 90 yr old women who I outweighed by 50lbs :) Not literally but the patients could be quite aggressive. If you have a good car and are willing to give up an extra 2 hours a day travelling, I'd go for that.

How large of a facility is the ltc? what kind of turn over? Whats the staffing? Nurse to pt and CNA to pt. Did it seem like a nice place? Do you know its reputation in the community?

0 Votes
Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I had a 6 day orientation when I worked LTC as a new grad. I would reccomend it but it can be done. If you that route dont be afraid to ask for help and never do something you are unsure of or have never done. I would suggest reading your states nurse practice act. Its a wealth of info on how you should handle your education here out. Cause the real learning just started!

0 Votes

debi49,txspadequeen921,jess1983, an945. thanks for responding. As I reviewed my notes, found out that the LTC has a pt nurse ratio of minm 24:1. It is a chain of LTCs in NJ. All the facilities look brand spanking new, but I don't know anybody who works there who can give me more info (anyone know anything about CareOne?).

The psych job interview ended with a recommendation to hire note from the nurse recruiter to human resources, which then gave a form for fingerprinting. I think that's almost an offer, right? It all depends on my background check. The place is mass hiring new nurses due to incidents with staff and patients getting hurt, which they attributed to lack of staff. Yes, psych nursing is more exciting since we could actually get hurt! That's why I wanted to start in the sub-acute medical unit.

Now I am thinking of just accepting the LTC and go for the free med surg classes, then if I feel there is not enough support to protect my license and the patients then go off into the sunset to the next job when the papework goes through. I may just have to think of a way to exit gracefully since it is a potentially good place to work part time in the future....

0 Votes
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Why does everyone insist that LTC/SNF is the easiest place to lose a license? It is very unusual for anyone's license to be revokes...especially in Massachusetts. Most of us started with very little orientation and have managed to thrive. Geri-Psych units are notoriously scary places to work...and just a question...Who is going to certify someone with absolutely NO experience? The ANCC requires at least several years of experience in a particular area before you can sit for the certification exam.

0 Votes

Capecodmermaid, you are absolutely right on the certification! The SNF/LTC DON told me I could attend the certification classes instead of herself. After looking up med/surg certification classes, I found out I am definitely ineligible to sit for the test. I guess the DON just wants me to attend the review classes as part of my orientation? Anybody familiar with these med/surg review classes? I don't want to look like a fool especially if there are group discussions or quizzes! As long as it is purely lecture, I'm game in attending. Anybody think it is a good idea to attend these classes with zero floor experience? I don't want to deprive a seasoned nurse of her slot if she is certifying and I am definitely not!

0 Votes
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Having certification in 2 areas, I'd say if you don't know most of the material already, taking a class won't help much. Certainly ANY educational opportunity you're offered is a wonderful thing. If your DNS wants you to go, take advantage of it and learn all you can.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment