First job offer has bad Google reviews.

[Bratt88]

Hi everyone,

this is my first post ever! I lurked around while I was in school preparing to take my LPN boards and reading everyone helped a lot. That was last year, I haven't looked for a job until now.. Now I need one to pay for the 3 classes I have to retake to get into the RN program.

So my situation is -- I put out a handful of resumes via email yesterday. Today I received a call from a doctor's office. They do 4 10hr shifts a week, 8-5pm. Which would be great, I'd have a weekday off, most whole weekends and spend every night with my family! What more could you ask especially for a new grad.

The problem is, I looked the place up and their office has terrible reviews. A 2/5 by 8 reviewers. That might not mean EVERYthing, but it concerns me. I don't want to be associated with a poor seemingly unprofessional and lacking-management type office.

Any input would be great. :)

[PinayUSA]

I don't give google reviews much weight. You can do your own reviews or badmouth your competition with reviews.

[cyc0sys]

I'd drive by the office and check it out for myself. Maybe strike up a conversation with someone in the waiting room or on their way out of the facility who is a patient. I wouldn't let them know you're a perspective employee. Do a bit of research to see how long they have been in business. Keep in mind, most former employees aren't going to do a positive review if they leave a job even if it was a good place to work.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Figure WHO it is that takes the time to do reviews like that. The hundreds of satisfied customers? No- the few who may (or may not) have gotten poor service and are determined to take it out on someone.

I would put ZERO stock in eight Google reviews.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Here's my question...do you have a job at the present time? Beggars cannot be choosers, especially a new grad with no chips upon which to bargain.

Job with poor Google reviews = LPN Pay + LPN Experience

Waiting for another job offer = NO Pay + NO Experience

[Bratt88]

Thanks everyone. Yes they were all disgruntled sounding patients making the reviews and I didn't look to see when they were written. I was just initially taken aback by the fact there were ONLY bad reviews.

And no I am not exactly begging for a job. But this place does have a schedule that I hear is generally hard to come by for a newb. Can't ask for anything more (unless they pay $25/hr that'd be fantastic lol). So I think i will go for it. Thanks everyone!

PS: I don't mean to sound like a picky ungrateful new age, bitter for no reason nurse/lpn. I have and can put up with A LOT of crap. but if I could save myself the heartache of bullying and harassment I would like to.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

People usually post when they're annoyed. Eight bad reviews?

Take into account how many patients that practice likely has.

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

People usually only take to review sites when they have had a bad experience. Good experiences go unmentioned. Also, some people are just awfully hard to please. I wouldn't give it much thought.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't give much thought to Google review from patients. They don't work there. I often look at employee (current and former) reviews on GlassDoor.com. Your employer may not have a page on Glass Door but big companies do, and one can see what people say about working for them.

[AutumnApple]

My opinion of Google reviews is that it's just another source of information. No more or less reliable than any of the other sources you could be going to.

There are many ways to get information on an employer you are considering:

1. Word of mouth of people who would know something about them (former employee, friend of an employee, lives in the area).

2. Personal experience by means of going to see for yourself. Someone already mentioned at least doing a drive by.

3. There are tons of things that are considered public knowledge that are available and factual. Any news articles recently of being sued? Or of a strike?

Every source of information on the facility you use will have it's unique pros and cons. Google reviews has it's good and bad points too.

For me, it's not a mistake to use Google reviews as one of your sources of information. ​Letting it be your only source of information is a mistake though.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Here's my question...do you have a job at the present time? Beggars cannot be choosers, especially a new grad with no chips upon which to bargain.

Job with poor Google reviews = LPN Pay + LPN Experience

Waiting for another job offer = NO Pay + NO Experience

Very Good point.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Please stay on topic -t hanks.