I'm a new grad RN who has been unsuccessful in getting a hospital job. I'm now beginning my search for jobs in nursing homes, even though LTC is not where I'd like to start. After hearing so many horror stories about the problems in these facilities due to staffing issues, poor management, etc., I'm really scared about getting myself into a bad situation.
So far, my strategy is getting a list of all the LTC facilities in my area and comparing them on websites like Medicare.gov and CalQualityCare.gov (I'm in California). How much can the government ratings be trusted? Should I only apply to those facilities with average or above average ratings?
There's a beautifully-renovated nursing home close to my house, and it smells and looks very clean the times I've been there. BUT, it has a 1-star rating!! And supposedly a 94% nursing staff turnover, while the state average is 57%. Should I stay far, far away from facilities like this??
Thank you so much for any and all advice you can send my way!
One of the things I would look into when applying at a LTC facility, is the most recent survery, paying close attention to the things the facility was cited for, how many citations they received (20 or more=Run), what type of citations they had (immediate jeopardy?). I would tour a place, and sit down and talk with a couple of residents that seem A&O ask Them how they like living there, if they feel the quality of care they receive is acceptable, or below average. Most residents are willing to talk and share their feelings and experience.
In addition, you can go on a weekend, and speak to current staff working there, this can tell you a lot.
The lower ranked one or two star facilities, in my experience, usually have very poor care and poor working conditions as well.
And supposedly a 94% nursing staff turnover, while the state average is 57%. Should I stay far, far away from facilities like this??
Leelee2
344 Posts
One of the things I would look into when applying at a LTC facility, is the most recent survery, paying close attention to the things the facility was cited for, how many citations they received (20 or more=Run), what type of citations they had (immediate jeopardy?). I would tour a place, and sit down and talk with a couple of residents that seem A&O ask Them how they like living there, if they feel the quality of care they receive is acceptable, or below average. Most residents are willing to talk and share their feelings and experience.
In addition, you can go on a weekend, and speak to current staff working there, this can tell you a lot.
The lower ranked one or two star facilities, in my experience, usually have very poor care and poor working conditions as well.