Bait and switch

Published

I am over 60 years old. I was encouraged by a hospital I was volunteering at to renew my RN license. Since my license was lapsed for over 8 years, I retook the NCLEX again and renewed my license.

I was told by nurse recruiters that they would want me to have a refresher course which I am starting 8/29. In the meantime they suggested that I apply to skilled facilities to get a start to bring my skills up to date.

I began a new job at a LTC, skilled, sub-acute facility in which I was told by the DON I would be put in the skilled unit, I had a lot of good experience, etc. and they really wanted me, $25 hour.

When I first reported to my first floor orientation, I was placed on the LTC unit. I asked why I had been placed on LTC and not the skilled unit. I was told, well, you've been out for 10 years and the new graduates don't last in the skilled unit.

The duties consist of passing meds for about 7-1/2 hours, plus tube feeding and lots and lots of redundant charting for medicare charting, etc. for 39 patients in 8 hours. Then I heard the LVN that was orienting me that I was going to be her replacement when she was off.

I feel used and screwed because I made it very plain to the DON that I wanted A SKILLED position. I feel like I can't afford to make waves at this time because I feel the pay is good (for CAL). I had studied for a few months to take the NCLEX and passed it on the first try, so it was not as though I my mind was blank to what goes on in nursing and a lot of the studying was fairly easy because I remembered from past experience.

I guess I will stick it out until I finish my refresher course in December and hope that by then my chances will be a lot better because I had sent my resume in to a big hospital and they emailed me back and wanted to know what I had wanted, but said I had to take the refresher first.

I feel like I am being treated as though I am retarded and too old, although I am in excellent physical health and shape.

I am really disappointed and angry by being treated this way but I guess the money is fairly good but my whole point was to be hired to start in skilled nursing to get start on working on my skills. So I guess that will just have to wait until I get my refresher. I want to be doing the things I used to do, although part time. I don't want to be a pill pusher. Couldn't help griping over my disappointment.

Frankly, I am really angry besides being disappointed. I just hope I can keep my big mouth shut and do it as long as they are paying me $25/hour.

Thanks for listening.

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That stinks. How long is the LVN going to be off? Is there any possibility they could transfer you to the skilled unit after she comes back? That way they could see for themselves that you can still do the job just fine, and you're not stuck doing something different from what you were promised for too long.

Your day will come when you leave, laughing over your shoulder at them on your way to the big hospital. ;)

Good luck!

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k

That stinks. How long is the LVN going to be off? Is there any possibility they could transfer you to the skilled unit after she comes back? That way they could see for themselves that you can still do the job just fine, and you're not stuck doing something different from what you were promised for too long.

Your day will come when you leave, laughing over your shoulder at them on your way to the big hospital. ;)

Good luck!

No. she is not going on leave. She means on her days off. Thanks for your encouragement. I have been looking forward to my refresher course and even more so now. The clinicals will be done at the large hospital so I am looking forward to that. A lot of nurses get hired during that time. I really appreciate your support. It helps when someone else is there to help put the situation in perspective. And you are so right, my day will come and I will just keep my mouth shut. I understand that another hospital corporation treats their older refresher nurses well. Thanks again.

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Specializes in psychiatric ER, Mental Health.

I am not sure if I am understanding everything here, you are at the LTC for a short term goal? so you can get through a refresher course to go back to the hospital setting? IS the LTC aware you wont be permenent there?

How long have you been there going through orientation? I know it is common for new orientes to start in the Long Term section before going over to the Skilled side, I have seen that in most of the facilities. I have also seen that most of the long term units are mostly staffed by LPN's and the usually like to have RN's at least orient a little bit so if they need to go to that unit for some emergency, they are not completely taken aback. most of the time long term units are so much different from the skilled units.

Sorry about your dissapointment. I can certainly understand your frustration, talk to the DON, and ask her about it. I am sure something can be worked out to suit you better.

Good luck, and enjoy the experience, I love LTC.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

movingalong....only you can make the DON give to you the job that was promised you before you hired. Many places lie to get nurses in the door, then after nurses are hired, they treat the nurses anyway they want. The only way to put a stop to this bad practice is to hold them to their word as they would hold you to yours. I would insist on being placed where I was told I'd be placed prior to hire, or.....adios to that DON. :)

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I am not sure if I am understanding everything here, you are at the LTC for a short term goal? so you can get through a refresher course to go back to the hospital setting? IS the LTC aware you wont be permenent there?

How long have you been there going through orientation? I know it is common for new orientes to start in the Long Term section before going over to the Skilled side, I have seen that in most of the facilities. I have also seen that most of the long term units are mostly staffed by LPN's and the usually like to have RN's at least orient a little bit so if they need to go to that unit for some emergency, they are not completely taken aback. most of the time long term units are so much different from the skilled units.

Sorry about your dissapointment. I can certainly understand your frustration, talk to the DON, and ask her about it. I am sure something can be worked out to suit you better.

Good luck, and enjoy the experience, I love LTC.

No, this was not a temporary assignment. We discussed at length what I wanted and they agreed. I said I was looking for a position in a skilled unit, which they agreed, and told them I would only be able to worik certain days because I was going to take the refresher course and wanted to work in a less hectic environment than a hospital with the possibility of advancing myself after I completed the course, in that unit of course.

They just plain lied to me. They even gave me 2 hours on the skilled unit to see what it would be like. I understand that they would want to orient me on the LTC but their excuse was "you've been out for 10 years and all the new graduates leave" after telling me that I would be on the skilled unit. Just did no good to talk to them. They are as slick as greased owl .....

But I will stick it out for the $25 until I finish my refresher course then go elsewhere. I am glad you enjoy your LTC experience. Everybody has their own niche and preference. I have lots and lots of med/surg experience and that is what I want to do.

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Specializes in psychiatric ER, Mental Health.
No, this was not a temporary assignment. We discussed at length what I wanted and they agreed. I said I was looking for a position in a skilled unit, which they agreed, and told them I would only be able to worik certain days because I was going to take the refresher course and wanted to work in a less hectic environment than a hospital with the possibility of advancing myself after I completed the course, in that unit of course.

They just plain lied to me. They even gave me 2 hours on the skilled unit to see what it would be like. I understand that they would want to orient me on the LTC but their excuse was "you've been out for 10 years and all the new graduates leave" after telling me that I would be on the skilled unit. Just did no good to talk to them. They are as slick as greased owl .....

But I will stick it out for the $25 until I finish my refresher course then go elsewhere. I am glad you enjoy your LTC experience. Everybody has their own niche and preference. I have lots and lots of med/surg experience and that is what I want to do.

Sorry to hear that. :stone Hopefully, time will fly, and you wil be "moving along" shortly.

I really dont like to hear that facilities are doing these types of things.

best wishes to you with everything!

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movingalong....only you can make the DON give to you the job that was promised you before you hired. Many places lie to get nurses in the door, then after nurses are hired, they treat the nurses anyway they want. The only way to put a stop to this bad practice is to hold them to their word as they would hold you to yours. I would insist on being placed where I was told I'd be placed prior to hire, or.....adios to that DON. :)

I know what you are saying. I have read a lot about nurses being promised things in hospitals, great orientations, great nurse to patient ratios, bonuses and so forth not to have them materialize, so I wasn't so much surprised but angry. But I guess I will just stick it out. I feel like some kind of job while I was in refresher would probably look good also on a resume since I just got the license renewed by taking the NCLEX. So it will be their loss. Believe me, if it wasn't my first job, I would stare them straight in the eye and insist or walk. I totally agree with you about putting a stop to this practice but they will know soon enough. Thank you for thinking of me and trying to help.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

You are welcome, movingalong. Be aware of everyone and everything around you on that job so you don't end up getting caught in a nasty web of trouble. Trust your gut feelings. They usually are there to warn you to get out of a troubled situation, or stay out of one. :)

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I am not sure if I am understanding everything here, you are at the LTC for a short term goal? so you can get through a refresher course to go back to the hospital setting? IS the LTC aware you wont be permenent there?

How long have you been there going through orientation? I know it is common for new orientes to start in the Long Term section before going over to the Skilled side, I have seen that in most of the facilities. I have also seen that most of the long term units are mostly staffed by LPN's and the usually like to have RN's at least orient a little bit so if they need to go to that unit for some emergency, they are not completely taken aback. most of the time long term units are so much different from the skilled units.

Sorry about your dissapointment. I can certainly understand your frustration, talk to the DON, and ask her about it. I am sure something can be worked out to suit you better.

Good luck, and enjoy the experience, I love LTC.

I'm sorry about that remark about "pill pusher." I didn't mean anything derogatory, I was just angry. I really respect the nurses that take care of these people. I especially have to admire the CNA's there. They really do excellent care. A few of them are foreign rns who are trying to get to the point of taking their boards. I am glad you love the LTC. Not every are is for everybody. I would be bored just passing meds, I am so used to doing other things. No offense intended. You are very needed. I get the idea that you have time to spend with your residents. This LVN cannot afford to do this, there are so many meds and treatments to be be given. Anyway, thanks for your nice response.

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

Movingalong, I hope you don't mind me asking this...but what was it like taking NCLEX again? I was just curious...even though I've been a RN for 20 years, I'd be so nervous if I had to take it again.

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Looks like things have changed even from when I was in the hospital. I am only about 10 years your junior but I remember when a person's word meant something. Within 10 years of the oil bust I think the healthcare system became more deceptive like business systems. At this point, about 20 years since the oil bust, I think it has become as blatant deceptive.

I feel your frustration, especially, since I would be in your shoes if I chose to return to an acute medical surgical hospital setting. Also, over prolonged periods of frustration I do mis-speak so I understand.

Now that the NCLEX is over, my suggestion is for you focus on your goal of completing the refresher course and forget the age discrimination. It is not worth worrying over, especially, since it would be difficult to prove considering your history of not being in the active nursing force. We can all here recognize it for what it is.

Consider the pleasure it can give you at the end of the refresher course to also (e.g.; like the young ones) leave this unit!!! HELLO??? No one wants a manager who is a blatant in your face LIAR! Of course, leave on good terms but secretly laugh as you walk out the door in December.

BTW - I don't know if your area is like here but the job advertisements tend to drop after Thanksgiving and pick up again around February. There may be available jobs during that period but maybe not the one you want so don't be discouraged if that happens.

Best of Luck!

No, this was not a temporary assignment. We discussed at length what I wanted and they agreed. I said I was looking for a position in a skilled unit, which they agreed, and told them I would only be able to worik certain days because I was going to take the refresher course and wanted to work in a less hectic environment than a hospital with the possibility of advancing myself after I completed the course, in that unit of course.

They just plain lied to me. They even gave me 2 hours on the skilled unit to see what it would be like. I understand that they would want to orient me on the LTC but their excuse was "you've been out for 10 years and all the new graduates leave" after telling me that I would be on the skilled unit. Just did no good to talk to them. They are as slick as greased owl .....

But I will stick it out for the $25 until I finish my refresher course then go elsewhere. I am glad you enjoy your LTC experience. Everybody has their own niche and preference. I have lots and lots of med/surg experience and that is what I want to do.

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