Is a drug rehab position good for new lpns?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Being a new lpn, I apply for every ad that applies to me. Well, I finally got an interview at a drug rehab/mental health facility. Set for this monday. The position is for nights and is out in the boonies about an hour away. In doing my research on the facility I came across reviews on the place from family members and clients who have attend the programs there. Everything i've read has been very negative and has me a bit concerned. The reviews include statements of poor care, drug treatment not given, patient neglect, very bad administration (only after the money) and unsafe conditions for clients and staff. One client posted that they and other residents felt very unsafe with the behavior of one particular resident and voiced their concerns several times to the administration and staff only to be told they were addicts and delusional and their complains were disregarded. The post goes on to state that within a week the questionable resident grabbed the night guard and stabbed him to death and then grabbed the night nurse and was preparing to do her in too, but was apprehended by the staff and residents. This was a year ago. Now i'm thinking is this why the HR women said to me "this is a night position in our facility are you okay with that?" now i'm just a little freaked out about this. I know I need a job but... really??? is this a position i should consider being a newbie? my gut is saying cancel!! but I don't want to be a wimp either. Any suggestions??

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I would see what the job entails...find out their policies, be able to interview staff; if those two factors I stated are answered with avoidance or vagueness, then the job will (obviously) not be a good fit.

As far as the "are you okay with that?" statement; I was asked the same thing about interviewing for a weekend program position; if anything it's a way for you to decline or accept an interview.

For the reviews of the faculty online, especially regarding the security member that was "stabbed to death," that would have certainly be a headline grabber-is there a news article with this information??? Ask about that information if you need to for your comfort level, otherwise reviews are opinions and perceptions...find out for yourself objectively FIRST.

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For the reviews of the faculty online, especially regarding the security member that was "stabbed to death," that would have certainly be a headline grabber-is there a news article with this information??? Ask about that information if you need to for your comfort level, otherwise reviews are opinions and perceptions...find out for yourself objectively FIRST.

thanks for the reply. yes i did check into the claim of the client. the report is on OSHA's website ie failure to provide staff with a safe environment resulting in the death of an employee. very troubling. that being said...still on the fence. maybe they pulled it together after the incident but judging from the recent posts it doesn't look like it. a lot complains from clients, family members as well as staff describing safety and administration issues which judging from the date are on going. very interesting...

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Go with your gut. If it doesn't feel right keep searching elsewhere. I'd rather be broke than dead. You can always go for a day of training and see how it is if you want to give it a chance. I understand what it's like to NEED an income ASAP.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
thanks for the reply. yes i did check into the claim of the client. the report is on OSHA's website ie failure to provide staff with a safe environment resulting in the death of an employee. very troubling. that being said...still on the fence. maybe they pulled it together after the incident but judging from the recent posts it doesn't look like it. a lot complains from clients family members as well as staff describing safety and administration issues which judging from the date are on going. very interesting...[/quote']

Troubling indeed...I suggest you ask questions if you decide to go to this interview. :yes:

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Also remember, word of mouth (such as online reviews) ALWAYS attract more negative feedback than good feedback. It could be there are some exceptional nurses there, or things have changed recently, but one or two bad experiences are still sending bad feedback.

I would say go to the interview and bring up your concerns, see how they respond, and see how the facility looks. Then go with your gut from there.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

That clinic sounds awful. I work in a detox/mental health clinic and this is my first LPN job. The job is pretty easy, but my main concern is that I don't get to use many of my nursing skills. I mainly just pass meds & asses clients for effectiveness of treatment and notify the MD if anything is wrong. I give the occasional IM injection and talk to clients about drug abuse, antidepressants, anti-psychotics, etc. I've been here nearly a year & have never seen a client kill or injure anyone. I work a split between 1st & 2nd shift & am quite often the only nurse on duty. It's a not-profit agency, so pay isn't so great. Next month will be my 1 year anniversary, so I'm thinking I will start looking for something else. I need more experience and more money. When I call a referral in to the MD, if I tell him the person has a potential to be violent, he denies them. But, we don't always know about that information. The local hospital is horrible about leaving out information they know makes a person unsuitable for our facility.

I would go to the interview and ask what safely measure have been put in place to ensure staff and resident safety.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

That sounds scary! I worked at a drug rehab for adolescents. It was clearly all for profit & that's what all the owners cared about. We would get 5 admissions a day, there was no cut off time, no rules. I didn't use any skills either. All I did was pass meds, did a basic assessment when the teens came in & give them any PRNs or any treatment they needed if they got hurt (they would go to school). OMG it was SO stressful! I only lasted 6 months before I resigned. I started out at $17/hr (in TX) and I've been an LVN for 3 years. It didn't matter. But they start the RNs at like $22. I never worried about my safety but I hated the job, so monotonous! Plus the PA from the clinic the kids would go to would come over & ****** (the nurses) out for every little thing. I'd only go back if I needed a job & I couldn't get one anywhere else.

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Wow! That just sounds scary. All of the detox/rehab jobs I have see require a yr. experience and even though I am experienced elsewhere, they wont consider me. If they are too desperate and have someone die there run!!! No measly paycheck is worth your life! I feel you though, I am looking for work too. I got an offer but it was 60 miles away,and I had to turn it down as too much gas $ and wear and tear. Best of luck! Remember you are worth more!

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thank you all for your responses and input. well, i went with my gut and canceled the interview. i spent most of that morning very upset feeling like i missed an opportunity. but as a few the posts here stated my life (a mom w/3 kids) is more important that a paycheck; especially in a facility that i didn't feel ready for. the good new is that i got called for an interview @ an assisted living facility and offer a job! yay!! orientation today and training next week. 4 days per wk, $24 an hr. 10hr shifts. i'm so relieved!! my dad always told me to follow my gut and as one door closes another one opens. i wasn't feeling the rehab facility and in a way i feel like my dad is watching and it wasn't meant to be. i also got a call for from an agency to do home care cases. Training w/an RN, trach/vent & g-tube. hope it all works out, bc i need this so badly. thank you ALL for the advice, words of wisdom and good vibes and i hope we're all working by the holidays!!! oxoxox :D

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thank you all for your responses and input. well, i went with my gut and canceled the interview. i spent most of that morning very upset feeling like i missed an opportunity. but as a few the posts here stated my life (a mom w/3 kids) is more important that a paycheck; especially in a facility that i didn't feel ready for. the good new is that i got called for an interview @ an assisted living facility and offer a job! yay!! orientation today and training next week. 4 days per wk, $24 an hr. 10hr shifts. i'm so relieved!! my dad always told me to follow my gut and as one door closes another one opens. i wasn't feeling the rehab facility and in a way i feel like my dad is watching and it wasn't meant to be. i also got a call for from an agency to do home care cases. Training w/an RN, trach/vent & g-tube. hope it all works out, bc i need this so badly. thank you ALL for the advice, words of wisdom and good vibes and i hope we're all working by the holidays!!! oxoxox :D

Very glad it all worked out for you! Great words of wisdom and refreshing to here!

Thanks!

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thank you all for your responses and input. well i went with my gut and canceled the interview. i spent most of that morning very upset feeling like i missed an opportunity. but as a few the posts here stated my life (a mom w/3 kids) is more important that a paycheck; especially in a facility that i didn't feel ready for. the good new is that i got called for an interview @ an assisted living facility and offer a job! yay!! orientation today and training next week. 4 days per wk, $24 an hr. 10hr shifts. i'm so relieved!! my dad always told me to follow my gut and as one door closes another one opens. i wasn't feeling the rehab facility and in a way i feel like my dad is watching and it wasn't meant to be. i also got a call for from an agency to do home care cases. Training w/an RN, trach/vent & g-tube. hope it all works out, bc i need this so badly. thank you ALL for the advice, words of wisdom and good vibes and i hope we're all working by the holidays!!! oxoxox :D[/quote']

Congrats!!! Best of luck in your new career :)

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