my first job interview experience and shocking work environment

[nurse_dot]

Hi guys! I just want to share my very first interview experience. After applying to almost all job posting online, plus personally delivering about 10 resumes to HR in different hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facility, rehab center. Maybe 1 out of 50, I finally got a call from a facility. Im so excited to speak with the unit manager and when she invited me to come for interview! Yey! I prepared myself for the interview. So I arrived in the facility 30 minutes early. She introduced herself to me. She was very nice. She conducted the interview in her office. I believe that it went very well. I was able to answer her questions. She even told me that she likes me and she can see herself in me. When I heard that compliment I was really happy. Then after the interview, she told me that she need to speak with the director of nursing and I will hear from them after a week. She gave me a quick tour with the facility. Then again, im very much excited to see the workplace and see the patients. I was totally shocked! We visited the floor with dementia and alzheimers patients, she orient me to the floor telling this is the floor with 52 patients "stable patient" according to her. Then she brought me to her unit the complex subacute unit another 50 plus patients in that area with patient on trach, peg, picc, vent. I was totally overwhelm! Then I asked her usually whats the ratio of nurse in here. She said "3 nurses in am, 2 in pm, 1 at night"! In my head I was like?? Omg? What?? 1 nurse to 52 patient!!! wow! Thats alot! I used to work in the hospital in Med-surg and whenever i get 15 pt per day, its really so much work so I wonder how they can give quality nursing care if you have 50 patient to take care. Im so disappointed with the facility, it was not clean at all, you can see the patient everywhere, patients in the hallway, trashcan just all over the place, she even said that some pt have infectious disease, The smell isnt really good at all!!!I tried not to breathe while we are walking in the floor. Its totally horrible! I just cant believe how can they tolerate to work in that kind of environment. I was so disappointed. When I first saw that facility I liked it very much because I saw the reception area was really nice, people are very warm but I wasnt expecting that its totally opposite what's inside the facility!

When I came home I was really sad. I asked myself if thats where I wana work with. Or is there's something wrong with me? I am being too picky or expecting too much?? But just I dont feel like thats not a safe environment to work with.

Guys, pls help me, my husband seems not to understand coz he is not in nursing field, he told me that if I get the job offer I should accept it. I even have second thoughts if I even want to go back to that facility. I know its really hard to find a job nowadays. Should I really have to take that job and take the risk in working with them? IS it worth it?

To those who are working in the long term care facility, is this really the usual kind of environment I have to expect when I work in LTCF? Its my first job interview and even If the interview went well, Im not satisfied with the workplace and the ratio of nurse patient. So Im really feel sad and frustrated. Please give me some advice.

Thank you very much.

[DaFreak71]

I just wanted to add an extra note to this thread that echo's the sentiment of a few other posters. I know you need money right now being a new grad and all. But before taking this job please consider how much money it cost you in both financial terms as well as emotionally to get your degree. If that's taken away from you due to any adverse event that they can pin on you (even if it's not your fault) you lose your ability to make that much desired/needed income. It can turn into a zero sum game.

Go with you gut. For those who feel that getting experience by way of a "trial by fire" method, uh...I don't think that's the best route. I think the OP mentioned that the facility would "allow" her work SOME dayshifts to get up to speed--that doesn't SOUND like much of an orientation period to me. I think new grads (and even seasoned nurses) need a long orientation or at least one that the nurse feels is sufficient to make them feel comfortable. The facility should let the orientation be as long as the nurse needs (within reason of course) to feel competent.

OP: ALWAYS carry Liability Insurance--even in the best of facilities! Best wishes on your job search--I know exactly how you feel (I'm in the same position). If you hadn't mentioned your state, I could have sworn you were talking about the very facility I applied for, interviewed and toured at. I knew something was amiss quickly because when I got there they left me lingering in the waiting area for 1.5 hours and then I was told that the D.O.N. had been double booked for the interview. I ended up being interviewed by a R.N. who admittedly had never interviewed anyone. In fact, she had zero questions for me. I ended up having direct the interview. You'd think she would at least want to know what I was proficient at. But I suspect all they wanted was a warm body, regardless of the quality of my training. Bah!

[wizeone7]

I agree with DaFreak71 about them only wanting a warm body. Who puts a new grad or ANY nurse in charge of 52 patients? The malpractice insurance is a must no matter where you work. It only cost about $100.00/year. A good price for peace of mind. Keep on looking. You are worth more than this job which will do nothing but put you at risk for losing a license you worked hard to get.

[BmichelleRN]

I don't know what employment opportunities are like where you reside but if there seem to be other opportunities out there, IMHO, you should keep looking. The last two times I had gut reactions that made me feel that way, they were on the money and I would have rather stayed unemployed a little longer than to be in the horrible situations I found myself in.

Also, I think it indicates the way you will be treated, as the facility seems to lack concern for its own residents.

Just a note of encouragement: I have interviewed in two different states for RN positions and have gotten every job I interviewed for...Just make sure your cover letter and resume are well done, you want to stand out!! That will help get you in the door.

best of luck!!!