Been Working 2 Months, Just Got Called to Interview Somewhere I applied Months Ago

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

After months of searching, and with the help of a former classmate, I was able to land a job in a SNF back in mid-may. The facility pays decent, I like my co-workers and the facility in general, I LOVE my patients and for the most part my job. It's not perfect, however, I commute anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour each way depending on traffic, there is major management changes happening, people are being written up for not clocking out on time, not taking long enough breaks, etc. etc. and things are in general disarray. Not to mention my scheduled has been getting changed or I'm being asked to float to fill in other places a lot. This is all stuff I don't generally mind, but at the same time, the instability of things has me a little concerned.

Before getting this job I applied in person at a SNF rehab/sub acute center near my home (5 minute drive). I forgot about it because I was hired at my current job shortly after. Well this place called me yesterday and asked if I'd be interested in interviewing. I went ahead and scheduled an interview because I can't see how it would hurt to hear what they have to offer. There are differences though, like this facility is 12 hour shifts instead of 8, and they are looking for 7p-7a. This facility also has both private and semi-private rooms, which my current facility only does private. When looking online, I noticed that my facility is actually rated high on Nurse:Patient ratio (which is scary because I barely keep my head above water with 14-24 patients). I'm worried this facility has much higher patient to nurse ratios, and I'm not sure I'll want to work anywhere with worse ratios than I'm doing already.

My question is how do I get them to be honest about their staffing? I've heard horror stories of facilities lying or embellishing a lot to get nurses in there only to have them find themselves thrown on a floor of 40 sub accute patients and being the only nurse in sight. I'm interesting in this facility, but I don't want to jump jobs into something horrible. What should I look for during my interview? Red flags I should know about? Do y'all have any good questions I should ask?

What do y'all think?

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

I think stay where you are and where you're happy and don't risk it.

[mynnurse]

45 min to an hour is a long way to drive just for a SNF definitely go on the interview, mk sure they take you on a tour of he facility & ask if you could trail a nurse for a couple of hours on your day off (try to pick the nurse 4 info on facility culture/practices). Seeing that it took them so long to call u mayb its a decent place to work, u just never know until u start working there.

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

I don't think it would hurt to check it out. I would definitely put the place under intense scrutiny in so far as trying to talk to someone or finding someone who knows someone who works there for some insight. And if they offer you a job tell them you need a certain amount of time to think about it. Take that time and seriously evaluate the pros and cons.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm going to go to the interview and will definitely be interviewing them at the same time. I'll let y'all know how it goes!

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Well, I interviewed and was offered a position, better hours, better money (over $3/hr more), closer to home (A LOT), and much better benefits. At this point, I don't know how I can turn it down! I'm not looking forward to giving notice at my current job though.

[KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN]

Well, I interviewed and was offered a position, better hours, better money (over $3/hr more), closer to home (A LOT), and much better benefits. At this point, I don't know how I can turn it down! I'm not looking forward to giving notice at my current job though.

Sounds like a winner financially. Make sure to do your homework on the working conditions before giving you old employer the heave ho.