Advice Please...LTC or Hospital Job Offer

[nrz2bee]

I had two interviews recently: one in LTC and one at a hospital. I originally wanted the one at the hospital but after the interview they scared me a bit. they were saying things like i get no sick days and they may fire me on the spot if i took a sick day, and they said they wont let me go part time for school(i never even mentioned this) but i did mention my ultimate goal is to be a RN. the nurses seemed so serious and strict and trust me i am a hard worker who goes by the rules. the ltc was different, they seemed more flexible and said if i got sick more than two days i could make it up. they have part time positions. which i am thinking if i did need to go back to school and had to go part time then they may be more flexible. the ltc is also ten minutes from my house while the hospital is about 45 minutes away. the ltc interview seemed to go well. the hospital interview was the one i thought went bad but they called me back and offered the position. they seemed very critical so i left thinking i didnt get it and being thankful i didnt but i guess i got it. Any advice?

[topher-67]

I'll coin the phrase that you will hear all throughout nursing school, "Go with your gut". After becoming a CNA and also going to nursing school (now) myself I thought a hospital job or nothing. Ha! I didn't like the vibe from the hospital either. I've heard from other hospital CNA's & PCT's that they are part of the dime a dozen crew. In LTC you will get to use all of the skills you were taught. While you will be tested both physically and mentally, the rewards of helping somebody's loved one is priceless. The elderly are wonderful people to be with and need our care.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do. :)

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

LOL, I'm sorry but I have to laugh at what you were told. That is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. Before you give them your answer please find out if your hospital is unioned. If it is, then they may find it hard to fire you. If your goal is to be a RN then you need to make sure that fulfill that goal.

The hospital and LTC are two totally different places to work. In the hospital you will see a lot more regarding health care than you would in the LTC facility. The patient/CNA ratio is better in the hospitals than in LTC. I'm unsure which state you're in but I'm speaking of California. You may want to take the hospital job as you will be able to move around once you're hired. If you can hack it for at least a year and put in for transfers if you can find a unit that's willing to work with you if you have to go part time. But in the long run you will gain a lot more experience in the hospital. But as the previous poster stated. Go with your gut. Good Luck

[ctmed]

They had better be paying durn good to tell you that you cannot go to school and firing folks for getting sick. (within reason) It seems a bit harsh to me unless the DON that interviewed you wants to replace a nursing student that skips work for school by calling in sick and she tires of listening to her staff nurses gripe about haveing to change diapers and get thier own vitals!

Could be bad work culture. HOWEVER....

If school is a sure thing and very close, take the LTC. With RN it wil not matter where you did your CNA work and you will need flexibility. If you are still in the "thinking about school" phase where you may be on waiting lists for years or may decide to put it off, go with the hospital for 6 months to a year then jump to another hospital job or agency that will give you the flexibility you will need when school does arrive. Most of the better CNA jobs and agencies require some hospital experience.

Good Luck. Hope that helps.