I just passed my NCLEX, and I could use some advice about starting my first job.

[Noseham]

So I just passed the NCLEX, and I need a first job to gain experience. I'm enrolled this fall in an RN to BSN program, so I'll be wanting something that I can work part time while going to school. My goal is to gain work at a hospital after getting my BSN, with a focus on ICU or ED. The good news is I'm almost guaranteed a job at the nursing home where I was previously employed as a CNA.

The problem? This company recently got bought out by a major cooperation, and they're much more interested in staffing the facility to the census rather than the actual workload and what the nursing staff tells them they need. Just a few months ago, they got busted hard by state and a number of nurses and administrators were let go for "failure to report neglect." Admittedly, I'm not sure of the details, but I have good reason to believe that this wouldn't have happened with a higher staffing ratio. I've never had any doubts about those nurse's competence or commitment to their patients. I'm concerned that going into a job where I'm potentially not getting the resources I need could lead to burnout, patient neglect, and possibly marks on my license.

Am I being too picky for a first job? What questions and conditions should I bring with me into the interview? I know that it's unfortunately pretty standard for nurses in nursing homes being forced to work unpaid hours finishing their documentation, but I can deal with that so long as I feel my career and patients are safe.

[Cat365]

I don't know what's "standard" but I don't work for free. I don't chart off the clock. I don't want to explain why I was accessing a chart when I wasn't clocked in.

Having said that I would look for part time employment. I don't know if that is likely for a new grad in your area though. I decided when I passed the NCLEX I was going to take six months of working before I considered my BSN. Which likely means a years gap in schooling. This gave me time to become competent at my current job before adding the stress of school.

[Noseham]

I haven't asked them yet, but I'm pretty sure this place could move me to part time once I start going to school. However, do you think my fear that corporate policy could be setting me up for failure has any warrant?

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I haven't asked them yet, but I'm pretty sure this place could move me to part time once I start going to school. However, do you think my fear that corporate policy could be setting me up for failure has any warrant?

Yes. If the hammer falls on this place, you don't want to be standing under it. A lot of warning signs are already there. You can bet that if anything happens, administrators will be throwing nurses under the bus in order to save their own hides, and newbie RN would be a prime target. I would try to find somewhere with less dysfunction going on and less risk of being blamed for management's shortcomings.