How bad is it?

How long have you been at your current job? How long is the commute? You don't have any complaints about the current job?

What are the pro's for staying where you are? Were you planning a LPN position with the current facility?

I would also be wary of taking a job at a facility with a one star ranking.

When a facility is rated 1/5 on Medicare's site, there's usually a pretty good reason for it.

At the same time, remember that the medicare.gov statistics are based only on state surveys, and may not necessarily reflect daily care. I"ve worked places with really low ratings that weren't bad, and really high ratings that weren't all that great. A lot of the things that can cause a low score have very little to do with actual resident care...it can be anything from the layout of the facility to a freak accident to a number of small infractions, like forgetting to cover a catheter bag or using informal names when talking to residents. So, I'd check out the facility. Keep the score in mind (and check the REASONS for the score), but don't base your decision solely on that.

ALso, I went from LTC to hospital and back to LTC. I'm much happier now. So it's not always a mistake.

yousoldtheworld

Re: How bad is it?

At the same time, remember that the medicare.gov statistics are based only on state surveys, and may not necessarily reflect daily care. I"ve worked places with really low ratings that weren't bad, and really high ratings that weren't all that great. A lot of the things that can cause a low score have very little to do with actual resident care...it can be anything from the layout of the facility to a freak accident to a number of small infractions, like forgetting to cover a catheter bag or using informal names when talking to residents. So, I'd check out the facility. Keep the score in mind (and check the REASONS for the score), but don't base your decision solely on that.

ALso, I went from LTC to hospital and back to LTC. I'm much happier now. So it's not always a mistake.

:)Very good points made. I looked up ratings last night and found the SNF my mother and father in law spent time in for rehab were rated second to last in our area. Our family was very happy with the care and food.

There is a SNF close to my home that is rated poorly and I am going to look into employment there. Thanks again for your input.

At the same time, remember that the medicare.gov statistics are based only on state surveys, and may not necessarily reflect daily care. I"ve worked places with really low ratings that weren't bad, and really high ratings that weren't all that great. A lot of the things that can cause a low score have very little to do with actual resident care...it can be anything from the layout of the facility to a freak accident to a number of small infractions, like forgetting to cover a catheter bag or using informal names when talking to residents. So, I'd check out the facility. Keep the score in mind (and check the REASONS for the score), but don't base your decision solely on that.

ALso, I went from LTC to hospital and back to LTC. I'm much happier now. So it's not always a mistake.

That is a really good point. There is a LTC around here that is KNOWN for being awful to send your family member, and to work for and they ranked 4 out of 5. So I'm not letting the ranking bother me any more. I have made the decision to switch based on higher pay, a lot closer to home and better hours to fit my work schedule. I am incredibly nervous, but I am staying at my old facility PRN, so if it is a nightmare I still have a back up!

Thank you for your responses!