Quick background: I am an RN that started her nursing job at a SNF/LTC. I work on a sub-acute floor that is mostly LTC despite it being sub-acute. I have been working there for almost 2 years (night shift) and decided I need change. The facility is long commute almost 1h and 30 minutes driving distance. The job is fairly easily because I know the patients and the facility. It is a 12 hour shift which I love/no rotating weekends. I recently found a SNF that is desperately hiring for licensed nurses, a 5 minute distance from where I live. They have a hiring event/job fair with refreshments and tour of facility and promotes offers job on the spot. I decided to go.
Scenario:
I went into the facility and ask the location of the hiring event. The job post stated, on the spot interviews, on the spot offers, and sign in bonuses. Instead, I was given a application paper to fill up. I applied for full time RN position (staff nurse) and night shifts I waited at the lobby. Patients looks clean, facility looks clean, no certain smell. This was good. Then, HR met up with me and stated interviewing me. She asked me for ID, SSN, nursing license etc. I was like ??. Of course, I did not bring any as it was suggested just to bring an photo ID and license number. I thought it would just an interview and come back later for documents when hired. She mentioned about pay rate. Pay rate seemed low for a 1-3 years experienced nurse. This place pays less than a dollar of what I am making. I make more with the differentials and with this new facility's differentials, it is still considered 4 bucks short. The facility is owned by a company that used to own the facility that I am currently working at. Cheap company and for profit that I know for sure. She introduced to me to the ADON. ADON showed me the schedule and an example of what schedule would be like if I decided to work there. I was a bit overwhelmed because I was not used to 8 hours shift and working on a rotating period. My other job, I just have a 3 set days, 12 hours shift. I have no set floor or cart. I will be in both rehab floor and LTC unit (2 different floor) rotating every week. Patients will be about 27-35 patients on nights. Orientations would be 2 days in classroom and 3 nights on the floor (2 nights at rehab and 1 night at LTC). She walked me out of the exit door and asked me for any questions. I mentioned that the pay rate seems a bit low for almost 2 year experienced nurse and she stated that it will be mentioned to the ADON and things might changed once I start working. I was like umm aren't you the ADON? Again, I was confused ?? if I was hired or not, since I did not have a verbal assurance. I went to the HR and asked her if I was actually hired and she stated that I was. Told me to come back certain days to provide documents. She stated to let her know if I changed my mind. Then, she let me go. When I got home, I realized that she did not mention about sign on bonus nor did I remember to ask. No tour of facility, so I do not know how it is. Left the facility feeling confused and ambivalent.
What do you suggest to do if you were in my position? I did pros and cons and I realized that the only pro option in this facility is that it is 5 minutes driving distance near my house (I do not drive/ only permit, but I am working on it!!). The cons are 8 hour shifts, pay is lower than what I am earning, high turnover of nurses for sure since they are hiring on the spot, disorganize (same as my job, not really new). I didn't get to see other applicants. My DH suggested to just apply to a nearby community hospital (10 min drive). I prefer rehab/LTC because that is what I know. I am nervous about acute setting this why I push the hospital option aside so many times, but I am willing to learn with adequate orientation. Not a lot of skilled nursing /LTC facility in this area. Only 2 in this small town which limits my options.
