I am a new grad and got a job as ALF director position!

Published

It has been 4 days I have been working. Well not exactly working since I am just an observor at this time. I just graduated last week :) had my second interview on tues and they hired me right there woohoo I'm excited to work for the management position and I'm learning a lot about administration and meeting tons of people in this industry but oh man I doubt myself if can do this! Did anyone start their nursing career with management? My mentor (the one who is a director at this moment) said she will train me for 4 mons:) oh its assisted living and memory care facility

Specializes in Emergency.
"Basically all the nursing jobs will be done by an lpn or CNAs with Qmap. Pretty much no nursing skills other than assessment and TB shots"

Since when does LPN/CNA do NURSING ASSESSMENTS?

I strongly suggest you learn your state's nursing code before you begin this job. In addition, how could you possibly consider yourself experienced enough to handle all staffing, handle all patient family concerns and do so with confidence??

I will admit there are those RARE new nursing graduates that might be able to handle this position right out of the gates...but boy oh boy talk about stress.

GOOD LUCK. AND, I am in NO way jealous. Been there done that as DON of LCT for a grand total of one week once I saw how the place was run..

Since when have LPN's NOT done nursing assessments? They ARE nurses too. I dont understand why some RN's consider themselves so much more qualified to do anything above an LPN. They are very much qualified to do an assessment as the RN. How else are they suppose to know whats going on with their patients and what to watch for? Yes I know an RN has more education but either way, both nurses, so both do nursing assessments. CNA, well maybe not so much.

To the OP-Good Luck to you in your new position, I think I'd be a tad bit nervous as a new grad but hopefully it goes well for you. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Substance Abuse, Mental Health.
Since when have LPN's NOT done nursing assessments? They ARE nurses too. I dont understand why some RN's consider themselves so much more qualified to do anything above an LPN. They are very much qualified to do an assessment as the RN.

Individual state BONs determine if LPNs/LVNs can assess clients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok my question...have you taken the NCLEX yet? I'm not being jealous, critical, etc. Just trying to understand why a previous manager would hire someone with no managerial experience, to run a facility before you've even taken the Nclex? That's not good leadership. Sure we have GNs and other new grads who are hired before passing, but they're hired pending their success on the test, and not into leadership roles. I don't know you or your competence level..but generally if you hire a new grad to lead people, it's like the blind leading the blind. I hope they're paying you a BUTTLOAD of money at least lol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
This cynical, negative attitude seeps over into patient care and is bred into new nurses, too.

That cynical, negative attitude is a learned response, in this profession. The OP will be back in two weeks max to explain why/how new grads quit. Unless he/she has previous management experience...but that wasn't mentioned. And we will be here again to offer support.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ok my question...have you taken the NCLEX yet? I'm not being jealous, critical, etc. Just trying to understand why a previous manager would hire someone with no managerial experience, to run a facility before you've even taken the Nclex?

Maybe she already has taken the NCLEX? I took and passed the NCLEX within a month of graduation (as did many of my classmates), so give her a chance to answer the question before assuming she hasn't taken it yet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.
Assisted Living was meant to be this way in a perfect world, but you end up having higher acuity residents that obviously need to be moved, but facility/company will not do anything because they don't want to lose $3,000 a month that the resident brings in.!

THIS!! I totally agree and have seen it myself from working in a retirement community. Many of the residents in ALF need to be in a LTC and I'd venture to say they bring in more than 3K a month.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

You dont know what you dont know yet!!! Please dont take this position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have my LPN. That is my pay scale at this moment until I finish 4 months training. I will take my board in a few months so yes if I fail my board HECK! LOL ok it is not funny. They already told me after 4 months of training if I don't like it, I have a choice to step out - wish me luck! And again. Thank you ya'all

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU,ED,ICU,Nursing Supervisor.
Since when have LPN's NOT done nursing assessments? They ARE nurses too. I dont understand why some RN's consider themselves so much more qualified to do anything above an LPN. They are very much qualified to do an assessment as the RN. How else are they suppose to know whats going on with their patients and what to watch for? Yes I know an RN has more education but either way, both nurses, so both do nursing assessments. CNA, well maybe not so much.

To the OP-Good Luck to you in your new position, I think I'd be a tad bit nervous as a new grad but hopefully it goes well for you. :)

Speaking as former LPN, 9 Years in fact, and now a RN for the last 13 , I can say that LPNs are not as qualified as RNs to do an assessment. LPNs are trained for lack of a bettet term to be task oriented. Disease process, critical thinking are not major teaching points in most LPNs programs. I am NOT saying that RNs are better than LPNs just that the education is different and that both have their areas of more intense training. And in most states LPNs are not legally allowed to do an assessment without an RN cosigning it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

honestly don't know what to make of this. I know hiring a new grad straight into a specialty area like peds, critical care, OR didn't happen when I got out a school in the mid-80's. Now it is more common. I have talked to people who are happy and satisfied, they knew waht they wanted and are doing it. Others, wish they could make a change of specialties but are afraid because critical care is all they know. Congrats and good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

keep us posted, as someone else said, we will be here to support you.

I really do hope going into a nursing specialty like management with no experience turns out as well as it has for other new grads who went directly into bedside nursing positions in ICU, Peds, etc. (it used to be you started on med-surg no exceptions.).

Review the Policy/Proceedures manual and

make sure to read your nurse practice act with a fine tooth comb, so you don't end up being a scapegoat for someone else's actions and orders.

If you have a nursing instructor you respect, think about running it by them and getting some outside and ongoing support/advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.

Looks like this post has gone into left field somewhere :confused:...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion