Help! Should I take a SNF job as a New grad?

[shiiivers]

Hey all! I moved out to California to brave the brutal job market here. I got my license last week and have been applying non-stop for jobs. It's only been a week and I know people search for months and months, but I have an interview (my first and only) at a SNF on Friday. I'm debating whether or not to take the job if I get offered it. I'm not picky about where I work and I actually really enjoyed working with my older patients during clincals.

I've been in here for about 2 months (graduated 3 months ago) now and I'm just ready to start working and getting some experience under my belt. I feel like so many more doors will open for me once I can apply for jobs and say "yes, I actually have clinical RN experience."

I'm also up for a volunteer position at a bigger hospital, and I'm hoping I can use that as a way to maintain a presence in the hospital and possibly make some good contacts for future jobs.

I guess I'm just looking for some advice as to whether taking a SNF job as a new grad is a good idea? Will I be overwhelmed? And will I be able to transition back into a hospital job? Thanks guys!

[13grad71]

You should consider yourself extremely lucky if you are offered a position. So take it. A friend of mine graduated May 2013 and got her license in Aug 2013 and to date no job. She scored 2 interviews but was not picked.

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

SNF is a great experience. It is called "Skilled Nursing Facility" for a reason. You will learn and use important skills such as wound care, vents, feeding tubes, etc. Good base knowledge to move on after at least a year or who knows...maybe you will like SNF so much you will stay in it for a while. Always approach your job with a positive outlook and as a good experience and you should be fine. Personally, I wasnt a fan of SNF until i had my first clinical at a SNF. I found it very interesting in terms of medical diagnoses as well as working with the residents (the patients) and may work in SNF later on in my career.

[amoLucia]

SNF is much more advanced than many in general would believe. And new nurses in SNFs will most likely face all the same challenges that other new nurses face (ie clinical skills, critical thinking, time management, interpersonal relationships, authority, legalities, etc). Makes little difference if SNF, hosp, HH, etc.

Good luck with your interview. Remember to 'sell yourself' - what is positive about you that you can offer to the facility that will benefit them. You've done the first 2 hard parts, school & NCLEX. Now on to the first job! Think positive.

[shiiivers]

Thank you all for your responses. As a confused new nurse, all advice is much appreciated! I was actually offered a position at the SNF, in a supervisor role, but I do not feel qualified to be in such a role so I am unsure about what to do!

[amoLucia]

Don't know if it's Calif or not, but I learned here on AN that some states' BON regs require nsg supervisors to have clinical experience. In other words, a nsg super cannot be a newbie - supervisor needs experience. Someone other than I can confirm this. Now maybe your Cali facility knows if this quirky rule applies.

Hate for you to be going out on a limb just in case. You are right to feel unsure about this position - if you're the RN super, staff will look to you for decisions or info that you need to know. Now much wiggle room if you don't.

However, might be worth going to the interview for the experience of interviewing. Good luck.

[Nienna Celebrindal]

Absolutely! In this state that's the only way a lot of people can even land a first job! And yes it is brutal. I thought having 12 years experience as an LVN would help me but I don't really know that it did!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Yes.

Take the job.

[~Shrek~]

beggars cant be choosers

[RNNP]

Hello shiiivers! Wondering if you took the job? I'm in the exact same position! Was offered a job at a SNF (new BSN grad, september) and don't know if I should take it. Supervisory role too! Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!