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.

[nurse_dot]

i think this is unsafe especially for a new grad, if this is only offer especially in this job market, take it and keep applying elsewhere when u get another offer, run don't walk

thanks! Maybe I'll wait another week for any job offer then Il take the job if still no offer. Il just quit if theres other better opportunity.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I've been a nurse for 2 1/2 years, half med/surg, half critical care--and I wouldn't take that job. I'm certain I couldn't provide the kind of care I want to for 52 patients with or without 2 nursing assistants.

[lzl_bluesport]

whoa! in today's economic situation, those kind of hospital settings are getting common. companies are also trying to save on the budgets intended for the appropriate number of workers, and probably to give a fair compensation on the workers left in a certain company, they need to reduce employees. and only very limited are given the chance to stay on the job. therefore, for me, no matter what the situation maybe in my workplace, i'l accept it (if no better choice is offered). it's just a matter of patience and industry for me to give a better life to my family. well actually, that's what life is all about: to fight and move on to survive.

[arelle68]

I'm a new grad and work on an Alzheimer's unit where I take care of twenty- four residents with three CNAs. It is safe and clean. I work non-stop my whole shift, and hardly get a chance to eat, drink, or use the restroom. I was hired on in Feb., and I'm just now getting on top of things. It has been really hard for me to manage the workload, and learn what to do. I absolutely wouldn't take on the job you're talking about. No way!

[wizeone7]

There is no way that a ratio of 1:52 is safe! How can you learn when there will be no one to teach you and you are overwhelmed the entire time? What happens to the other 51 patients if one goes bad or codes? What happens if two patients go bad at the same time? You have only one nursing license, are you ready to lose it so soon? Do NOT take this job. I have been a nurse for 30 years and have pretty much seen it all. This is a disaster waiting to happen. Don't let it happen to you!

[Agrippa]

1:52.....that is staggeringly dangerous! That gives me anxiety and I don't even have to do it! lol

This is clearly a malpractice suit waiting to happen, which seems to be the ONLY way these "healthcare organizations" will notice and change the staffing situation - when it hits them in the pocket. This problem is systemic with the business model of our failing healthcare system. Nurses are seen as "costs" and doctors as vehicles for more expensive business. As long as our interests are conflicted between service to shareholders at the price of patients, nurses and anything else that is seen as a cost will fall below that of the all-mighty quarterly earnings report. The healthcare system should only have one concern - the patients. We need a single payer universal healthcare system now.

[libnat]

i was really expecting that the facility will be clean as it looks outside but its totally smelly.

smelly doesn't always mean unclean. most nursing homes have that smell and when you can't use air sprays it's hard to help. when everyone is incontinent.....

[Agrippa]

Also, I agree with one of the earlier posts - if something does happen and a malpractice suit does get filed, i feel that your license may be at risk. It wouldn't surprise me if the employer tries to blame you instead of their inadequate staffing levels. Its a touch choice....is the job worth the risk?

[SunnyAndrsn]

I can only share my experience:

I interviewed with only the place I am working, and worked there initially as an LPN and now I am an RN there. Our facility has 72 beds. 24 are subacute. We 4 nurses on days and PMs and one nurse at night. The LTC nurses each have 24 pts, while subacute has 24. LPNs start on the LTC wings. I found it overwhelming at first. I started on PMs, and it took several months, about 3, as a new nurse to get into my groove. I questioned everything, the staffing, the quality of work that the CNAs did, and pushed my CNAs on a lot of issues. I pitched in where ever I could--helping keep rooms clean, carrying nail clippers in my pockets for example. I organized my med pass with my treatments.

The facility you're describing does not sound like it has safe staffing ratios. That being said, you are in a difficult position. Times are tough and nursing positions are difficult to come by. Ask for a long orientation, ask a lot of questions, raise everyone's expectations.

[wizeone7]

Yes the times are tough but what if you end up losing your license due to this job? Then it will be REALLY tough! I am sorry to be so hard nosed. I just don't want you to get in over your head and then when it all falls apart, the facility makes YOU the sacrificial lamb.

[changeofpaceRN]

To be honest, I'd take it. If you had that much trouble even getting ONE phone call, then that says a lot about the opportunity for a new grad in your area. Even if you stay there 6 - 9 months, that will give you the leverage to run to another place. This place will teach you what you need and you will learn to hit the ground running (I've worked in a few that sound just like this). That way, when you find a "good"place, you will stick it out haha. Seriously, My last 2 jobs before I got my RN license had insane pt to nurse ratios. I worked 3rd shift at one rehab and ltc place and I had 60 to myself ALL night. There was no way I could tend to everything and care for those like I wanted. I had to start my med pass at 4 to get done by 7 and basically say hi and bye on the same sentence to get done on time. The other place I worked, I had 60 residents on 3-11 but this was an ALF. I LOVED the ALF compared to LTC but they wouldn't have hired me unless I had some experience.

Did you ask how long orientation would be? I got 6 weeks at my first job and that was just right. I also had someone to run to if I had questions when I was on my own. The most recent place gives new grads only 3 shifts of orientation and I think that is VERY dangerous. Make sure you get an appropriate amount and don't be afraid to tell them you need more time. GL!

[changeofpaceRN]

Wait a minute, are you going to be doing the night shift????????? If so, I'd advise against this job as your first one. Being alone is not cool when you are new and have no one to talk to or ask questions. If you are working another shift, I'd say go for it because those ratios sound similar to what I see around here. I just wanted to add that part about that ratio for a new grad on night shift.