Good opportunity or career suicide for new grad?

Nurses Job Hunt

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I finally received an unofficial job offer! But, there's a catch...... The position/title is "Nurse Supervisor" in a long term care/ rehab facility.

As a new grad RN, I am starting to have a few serious concerns about accepting a position with such an immense amount of responsibility as my first nursing job. The position will also be per diem....... Where I'm currently living the commute will be a **minimum** of 3 hours each round trip, realistically I'm expecting much more as ill be going through NYC traffic.... Likely going to be up to 6-8 hours round trip depending on the time!

I honestly do not know what to expect.... I've been out of school for 2 years. The rough market has made me desperate. Thank you in advance for your time and thoughtful answers.

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OMG! Six to eight hours round-trip! That sounds horrendous - especially after a 12-hour shift.

I am a new grad in the Midwest, so I don't feel qualified to give you career advice while I'm struggling to find a position myself. But I would seriously consider what your quality of life would be if you took the position.

Will they work you three in a row? Could you rent a sleeping room?

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

That's a pretty crappy commute, but do it if its what you want. I work in ltc and we are all "nurse supervisors". It's just a staff nurse position - give medications and do treatments. We also have a desk nurse who is the unit manager, and I'm one of 2 nurses for my hall of 28 beds.

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It's what is available. I'm going in tomorrow to speak with a staff member/ find out more details. The other alternative was a part time (2shifts a week minimum) LTC facility about 10 minutes away from my current apartment. I would be the only RN working nights with a patient load often exceeding 40 patients! The reason I jumped on the nurse supervisor position was because I was originally told it would be a full time acute care position. Stuck between a rock and a hard place :/

Sessa, I wish you the best of luck with your search

Dolce, thanks for some insight. Staff nurse responsibilities sound a bit less intimidating. Not a fan of the crazy commute. I woukd rather not be stuck driving a stick shift car in NYC traffic

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

A new grad should NOT be a supervisor any place. End of story.

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

We are all considered nurse supervisors at my facility too, but we mainly pass meds, do treatments, assessments, follow up on orders, and paperwork.

I work a NOC shift and I am responsible for 30-60 residents, depending if I am working the rehab unit or long term unit. I feel it's not a safe situation, but yet like many of us I continue to work there just to have a nursing job.

You may want to consider the position closest to your location. In my experience, turnover of nurses is so bad, you can get more than two shifts a week. Or if not, work this job there for a while, get experience, and keep looking for something else.

Good luck!

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Budget cuts again.....****. Both offers were taken off the table.... Both facilities ended up reducing the number of employees. *** is going on with healthcare?!

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Be very careful. You want and need experience but some employers when noticing your despair will take full advantage of you. One thing is a challenge and having a supportive group around you, the other is setting yourself for failure or be thrown to the wolves. Your situation appears to be the second. I would do it but don't accept anything you don't feel comfortable with. Say you need training and if they are now willing to give you proper one, refused and walk out. Set your guidelines right away, because if you don't you'll end up getting fired and wont even have this job as a reference. I worked in a LTC once and it's not a good place to get started at all. Be careful.

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I just accepted my first job as a graduate nurse at a LTC and it is a Nurse Manager position. I am scared but its the first job offer in two months so I'm taking it. The DON says she has faith in me because I have a military background and supervisory experience. She says she won't set me up for failure...I'm praying she's not setting me up.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.

You have been out of school for 2 years with no nursing job based on your post. Take the job if the driving it not an issue. Learn as much as you can. When you are ready to leave and transition to a hands on clinical role....word your resume so that you outline more of your nursing skills as opposed to your supervisory skills. good Luck

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