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

[eve5483]

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

[klone, MSN, RN]

One assessment goes on paper, that's the RN's Assessment, you still do your own head to toe assessment cause it's as you point out, the only way to know what's going on with your patient. You need the baseline to figure out any changes. I hear your frustration but be glad you don't have to do the #$@*ing paperwork. Most of the places I've worked, the RN has to do the initial assessment, the LPN can do a lot of the other parts of the written admission.

I count on everyone caring for the pt. to notice changes and report them to the charge nurse.

Wrong thread?

[Argo]

good luck with this new job..... hope you enjoy it. I went pretty much directly into a working manager/director job in an OR.... I will say one thing about it, it made me a better OR nurse.....

[nola1202]

Wrong thread?

my error, sorry, editing and deleting as we speak!

[NotFlo]

Since when does LPN/CNA do NURSING ASSESSMENTS?

Well, in my case, I do nursing assessments 8 hrs per day, 40 hrs per week.

[AOx1]

I mean this in the most respectful way: a child of 15.5 years is legally able to drive a Ferrari. Doesn't mean giving them one is a good idea. Judgment and experience come only with time and effort. Good intentions don't count towards safety. What will you do when someone codes or nearly does? What will you do when others look to you for experience & answers?

Ps- to those that state that we are jealous if we say this is a bad idea, most of us are angry, not jealous. I am angry that there are hiring managers willing to do this to a brand new member of our professions who does not know better. It is unscrupulous and unfair to the new nurse, the staff, and the residents.

[Chin up]

Well, in my case, I do nursing assessments 8 hrs per day, 40 hrs per week.

Me too.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

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

You have a choice to leave whether or not they say that lol. Good luck. I, too, am afraid they are trying to take advantage of a new grad. As an LPN and new grad RN I wouldn't be happy about having to rely on a new grad. But I'm still gonna wish you luck. Listen to your instincts.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Not to say it can't be done, but in order to truly be an effective leader, you need to understand the ins and outs of the job first. Which, as new grad nurses...we don't.

[DH.nurse]

Congratulations on your opportunity!! As someone else stated, I don't think most of the posters here have worked in an Assisted Living facility. The position titles in Assisted living are different than other facilities. I was the "evening supervisor" just because I was the nurse on duty. Yes, there will be challenges, like many other new grad nurse positions you could have chosen, but I believe this is definitely possible.

Where I worked, in addition to performing the well visit assessments and checking on ill residents, there was a lot of coordination of care... ie: calling in a home health agency for residents that needed hospice or other skilled nursing visits. Scheduling for the podiatry & md. Frequent communication with the families & resident's personal physicians, paperwork, etc.

There is no "code cart" so essentially in the worse emergencies I encountered, 911 was called immediately. When in doubt after falls, etc, family was called & residents were sent to the er to be on the safe side. It will be scary as a new nurse to make those decisions. Learn your facility policies. Learn your strengths & weaknesses, and be honest with yourself. Document.

I think you're being trained for more of an administration position. Most nurses will not be able to understand the acuity of the residents and your responsibilities so please don't be discouraged by the comments on here. Yes.... ask questions, be honest with where your nursing skills need work, and never be afraid to get on the phone & discuss concerns that arise with your resident's family or physicians.

You'll be mentored for 4 months! You've got a good amount of time to learn your responsibilities and find your weaknesses. And, you've got time to get to know if you are over-your-head. No matter what you decide in 4 months, it will be a learning experience. That two years I spent in that assisted living position is still one of the best jobs I've had in my 18 yrs as a nurse. I think about so many of those residents still, and their families.

Keep us posted on how it's going! I wish you the best of luck!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Well heck, at least she gets 4 months of orientation! How many of us were thrown on a floor with patients with maybe a week under our belt?

[jerenemarie]

Don't forget, you are responsible for your staff & residents 24/7 which is alot on any RN's shoulders, much less a new grad.! And be prepared for the state survey team to grace you with their presence...any problems they find is "blamed" on the RN Director by your Administrator, no matter what the problem is!

Thanks,

Jerenemarie

[Spydered]

Congratulations to you on your new job...:)