Is it bad for a new RN grad to start in an assisted living facility?

[Cynnie24]

Hi everyone,

There is an assisted living facility in my area that posts often for job openings for LPN's/RN's in various facilities. It does not say that the job requires experience but it also doesnt say whether or not new grads are welcome. I am interested in going into geriatrics. What would an RN do in an assisted living facility? Is it advisable for a new RN grad to start there, at a good facility? Is it likely for a new grad to be hired in an assisted living facility? Thank you so much for reading.

[heartsgal, ADN, RN]

I have been working for a LTC as my first job out of school and it took me 5 months to get that, so I was thrilled to get hired. It is a SNF(skilled nursing facility)/Rehab but has many long term care residents as well as those in rehab, but honestly there is more LTC residents than anything. It is not for the faint of heart and the orientation is very short around 5 days to a week. The need for nurses is great in LTC and you learn a lot in a short amount of time, but the patient load is very heavy and supplies can be very tough to find some days, or at least at mine anyway. It is definitely culture shock like they taught about in nursing school, transitioning from clinicals to being on your own but since they need nurses badly there is usually a lot of help. The nurses I've worked with have been my life blood and helped me so much. I have at times seen things that were tough for me ethically and I can deal with a lot at my age. It's a rude awakening to see what really happens when facilities are short staffed and some things have to wait until you and or the can can get to it, which is hard since you can have many who need you at the same time so you have to prioritize what can wait. All that being said the job market is rough especially for ADN's like myself, so we have to take whatever is offered to get experience and pay the bills. At the SNF I work at the LVNs/RNs do total care for 20-28 residents and have 2 CNA's and a medication aid to admin all scheduled PO meds except for antibiotics, IV and G-tube meds. We do all blood glucose checks, amdin insulin and any other injectables. Mine also has all paper charting which is quite time consuming but you get the hang of it quickly. We do have computers and emars but only for med administration. All assessments, Drs orders, new admits, etc are on paper and on the charts. I hope this helps.

[sunshyne17]

I started in LTC a few months ago. Grateful for the opportunity but I have to get out. Assisted living will probably have more residents to each nurse since they are considered more stable.

I am in SNF/rehab like the previous poster. Somedays are bare able, others have you wanting to cry on your feet. Charting takes forever and the saddest part is - you lose your skills. I take my own blood pressures, listen to lung sounds, think about why a resident is on a certain med instead of just giving them… I hope that helps.

It can be good money, but you are assuming a lot of risk for practicing at high ratios and little supplies...