Got a job offer today, but a little leery...

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.

it is for a long term care/rehab facility. They think that I would be great in the rehab area. Since I'm a new grad, I do wonder if that means that they are just desperate for a licensed body while they try to find someone with better skills *smile*. They said that they would give one month of orientation, and if I don't shape up, we agree to part ways after a month.

I would be doing IVs, tube feedings, meds, wound treatments, pain mgmt., etc. They said that it is just like a hospital med/surg floor.

Most of the admissions (3-4 per day) are on the 3-11 shift, which I would b working. The boss sounds very reasonable; she doesn't expect anyone to do anything but their best; said that she never yells at anyone; that the staff works as a team as much as possible. On the downside, she said that OT is always available, and I can't imagine that is a reassuring sign.

Since this would be my first patient care job (never was a CNA), I'm anxious to have the support to not fail. During clinicals, I felt comfortble if I could watch someone do a skill, and then have them watch me do it. It was hard to tell if that is a reasonable expectation.

Any thoughts?

TIA,

e

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Will you be working with others on your shift? Surely not alone with now many patients??

Hmmmmmmmmmmm be careful.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Hospice, Palliative Care.

There 30 beds on the floor, and usually 2-3 nurses...with 2 CNAs. Doesn't sound like very good staffing, but maybe that is normal?

e

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Well as we learned if you dont feel comfortable doing something say so and that is better to in the extreme lose a job instead of losing a license. But surely you will be fine, go at your own pace and ask if you are not sure. Good luck.

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Specializes in SNF-LTC; Gero-psych.

Doesnt sound too bad to me.. I work with one other nurse on my hall.. I have 28 and she has 28.. 56 beds total 2 nurses and 3-4 aides on 2-10 and 2 aides on 10-6

The aides do 8 hr shifts and the nurses do 12 hrs.

So from 6 - 10 there are 3 - 4 aides during our NOC med pass. and at 10 we get two aides..

Not too bad..

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Hi, there! I currently work nursing home rehab on the weekend shift.

In my area, nursing home rehab units are notorious for high employee turnover rates on the 3-11pm shift. This shift presents challenges because that's when family members get off work, and that's when they're available to visit their loved ones. Family members can be abusive, demanding, and consume your precious time.

Doctors, PAs, and NPs tend to do patient rounds in the early afternoon hours, so you might be following through with a lot of newly written orders every shift. New admission paperwork often takes up to 2 hours to complete. If you've got several admits in one night, that could be disastrous.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

By the way, here are some time management tips that may help you.

Here is how I organize for the day. I work 16 hour shifts, from 6am to 10pm. At the beginning of the shift, I'll go through the MARs and TARs with a fine tooth comb and, as I go, I will jot down the things that must be done in my notebook. My notebook is how I organize the rest of the day, and I usually won't forget to do anything. Here is how Sunday's notebook page looked (names have been changed due to HIPAA):

9-30-2007

DIABETICS, FINGERSTICKS: Agnes (BID), Agatha (AC & HS), Bill (AC & HS), Wendy (AC & HS), Rex (BID), Jack (BID), Esther (AC & HS), Margie (0600, 1200, 1800, 2400)

NEBULIZERS: Margie, Esther, Bill, Jack, Jane

WOUND TREATMENTS: Jane, Bill, John, Jack, Lillian, Rose, Lucille

IV THERAPY: Wendy (Vancomycin), Laura (Flagyl), Rex (ProcAlamine)

COUMADINS: Agnes, Agatha, John, Lucille

INJECTIONS: Agnes (lovenox), Jane (arixtra), Rex (heparin), Bill (70/30 insulin), Esther (lantus), Mary (vitamin B12 shot)

ANTIBIOTICS: Wendy (wound), Laura (C-diff), Rex (pneumonia), Agatha (MRSA)

1200, 1300, 1400 meds: Margie, June, Rose, John, Jane, Jack

1600, 1700, 1800 meds: Rose, John, Rex, Lucille, Lillian, Laura

REMINDERS: assessments due on Agatha, Jill, and Louise; restock the cart; fill all holes in the MAR; follow up on Jane's recent fall, fax all labs to Dr. Smith before I leave, order a CBC on Rex...

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Specializes in ER.

You'll have 10 patients with a CNA maybe, and 1 or 2 admissions. It sounds like a lot, but I have never done rehab. When I think about our patients waiting for a nursing home bed though, it sounds like a lot. An admission will take at least an hour, plus new prders, plus family concerns. It's a challenge for an experienced nurse so don't feel discouraged if you get overwhelmed at first.

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