Help!!! I'm about to PANIC about possible new LTC job..

Specialties Geriatric

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Okay, so I'll try to make this short... been considering LTC for quite some time. There is a nice nursing home that is just a 17 minute WALK from where I live. This is particularly nice because I've been a commuter for the past 4 years. I'm not terribly happy with my current job, tired of 12 hour shifts, realized I'm tired of commuting, etc...

The DON just called me a little while ago and left a message; I didn't have my phone with me when she called. Everything looks great she said, all background checks, references, drug test, etc, looked great.... could I come in MONDAY at 9:30 for an orientation??

MONDAY????

Could this be a short orientation? Could this NOT necessarily mean that she wants me to start right then, this is just, like, a short orientation? I still need to fill out all the paperwork! And I NEED TO GIVE NOTICE at my other job!

I am panicking... I really want to work at this place, but I can't start Monday!

I called her back to get a few particulars, but we are now in a game of phone tag and I'm waiting for her to call me again. I really do want to work there, but... SURELY she doesn't expect me to start MONDAY!!! I mean, when I hear the word "orientation", I think , that is when you START. You are done at the other job. You are commited to the new job. That's it.

*sigh*

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chill, and when she calls, see what she talks about... she might clarify. You could start by saying, "yes, you called?!?!" and then see where she goes. If she doesn't fly, then say, "you mentioned orientation in your message?!?!" this gives her another chance to explain. If no clarification, then you just have to say, "Am I understanding you want me to start on Monday?" if she snorts, then say, Oh I thought not (giggle) and then drop it and let her give you direction. If she says she does want that, then you have to say that you need to give notice, and you did not understand that you had an offer yet.

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Quality Improvement,.

She may also be refrencing your answer on the application, where they ask "when can you start", and we all reply ASAP.

Just be specific, and surely she can recognize that you are a good empoloyee who does not wnat to leave any situation without planning, therefore you need to give your current job the opportunity to let you give two weeks, but you certainly ask if they are willing to let you go on short notice.

If you need to take VACATION from your own job to get this orientation done for a day, then map it our with her, tell her you need to give the time to the other job, you need to conisder your sick/holdicay etc. that you are entitled to, and that you would be glad to come in on Monday and review their orientation schedule with them, to make it happen for both of you.

keep us posted!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

She must see on your resume/application that you are currently employed. I don't know of ANY employer that expects a new hire to quit their current job without notice. She is probably wanting you to come in to finish paperwork, discuss benefits, when you can start, and that sort of thing. Don't panic.

When she returns your call, you can easily clear this up.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Not only do you need to give two weeks notice, but you should not even consider doing so until and unless you have an offer in writing for your new position!!! Talk is cheap -- get it in writing.

I was made a verbal offer for my current position at the beginning of March, and did not actually have it in writing till the end of April -- so that's when I gave my 2 week notice. I told my prospective new employer repeatedly that I would not give notice until I had something in writing. And it's a good thing I did, or I would have been out of work for a few weeks while my new employer got their act together -- but I work for the government, at that's how long it takes for the bureacracy to churn out a written offer -- hopefully this facility won't take that long, but you should still have it in writing before taking action.

My guess is that she did not mean for you to actually start on Monday, but if she did, you'll just have to explain why that isn't possible. Let her know that you're very eager to start, and that you will give your 2 week notice at your current job as soon as you have a written offer from her.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Well, I got the job offer.. I did talk to her. She is pushing me a bit to make a decision. She does not expect me to start on Monday, but the following Monday... which I can live with.

It's a pay cut... I can live with that too. It would be twelve hour shifts. It would be walking distance from my house.

The BIGGEST problem right at this moment is that the insurance doesn't start until January, if I start this month. My husband is freaking out over this. We don't have any major medical conditions, he just worries that something will happen in those three months.

I would like to take the job, I think. My current job makes me downright suicidal at times.

What to do???? I called my mom for advice, she's out shopping!!!! =)

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If no major conditions, go online and shop for temporary insurance and put it on a high deductible. Your coverage will be limited but if you get in serious trouble, you've got coverage eg. don't expect the usual preventative stuff to be covered. You can hunt around online and find plans that go up to 6 mo duration. Good luck.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

If you have health insurance at your current job, you are probably eligible for COBRA -- i.e. you can continue your current insurance if you pay the monthly cost previously covered by your current employer. This generally isn't cheap, but it's cheaper than getting sick without health insurance. If it's too expensive, getting catastrophic coverage only is another option, as mentioned by the previous poster.

I would still get the offer in writing if you don't have it yet, and I would ask to start 2 weeks from Monday, so you can give proper notice to your current employer. Of course your new boss wants you to start ASAP, but I see no reason to yield to the pressure. She's not going to withdraw the offer if you ask for another week -- it would take her at least that long to round up someone else to hire.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I think I'm going to go with the catastrophic, 10,000 deductible, cheap insurance. I've gone the COBRA route before; I pretty much had to... I was pregnant and starting a new job. =) But right now, no one has anything serious and chronic going on; so we will probably go with the cheap coverage.

Just talked to the DON; I start the 21st. =) I'm excited... I really think that I will enjoy LTC...

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Good luck with the new job. Let us know how you make out.

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I hope you will enjoy LTC, is it going to be a huge change from what you already worked in?

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

yes it is, actually. I currently work night shift on a children's psychiatric unit. I hate it. Five nights a week, nights get boring as all get out, then the kids wake up in the morning and are UNBELIEVABLY horrible. Plus I am tired of driving long distance to/from work. I am really ready for a change, as far as that goes! I am ready to do something where I'll stay busy, and I do love working with the elderly.

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