Is it a good idea to start at a SNF?

ocmama · Feb 23, 2011

My hubby is a nurse too! There are a few new grad positions open here and there. I would try and find something here since moving is hard on a family especially with little ones. UCI occasionally posts RN 1 aka new grad positions so check their website periodically. Good luck to you.

jojonavy · Feb 24, 2011

Just had my interview today. The facility is actually half long term SNF and the other half is subacute rehab patients. Haven't got an offer but I'm thinking of taking the job there if they do. It's one place that both my wife and I can work and the pay is pretty good at $32 for 8 hour shifts.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2011

It is a good idea to accept any job offer that you may receive in this tight job market because you truly do not know when or where your next offer of employment will arise.

jojonavy · Feb 25, 2011

Talked to a few recruiters in the area about experience at a sub acute facilities. Got mixed results. CPMC said they hire some for med-surg, but that the selectee would need to do the same new grad orientation. Sutter Sacramento, also said that they would hire those with sub-acute experience as long as they highlight the skills they had that reflect the position they are applying for.

Still on the fence about taking the position. It actually starts off on call until a full-time position opens up. Not sure if I like that instability, especially when I'm moving my whole family up to the area. There are a few new grad programs, starting in April that my wife and I applied to. Hope we get into one of them!

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

Congratulations on the new family! That is your main focus for your decision. You're able to find work right now and even if it's in a SNF I would take it in a heartbeat. As you stated there's a sub acute rehab unit there and that's good experience right there. I wouldn't wait out for a new grad program that I may or may not get accepted into? What would happen if you didn't get accepted and then you have NO JOB. What ever you will choose I wish you guys the best.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2011

But there are SNF's all over so why move? Why not find one in your area? They are a dime a dozen and most that I've looked into contain rehab which is also good experience. Although I haven't heard of a SNF with a sub acute. I've just heard of sub acute hospitals. Also, most SNF's (in my experience in my area) are hiring so I don't see the need to move to find one elsewhere. Perhaps it's different in your area so in that case don't listen to me. :rolleyes:

My friend works in a SNF but only on the rehab side. I was telling her what good experience that was so she could list it on her resume. :) My hospital has a rehab and it runs a lot like a med/surg floor.

Check back with the new grad programs that you have applied for and see if they won't take you if you have paid RN experience. There are some that are like that. They really only want a new grad I guess. Good luck! :)

MouseMichelle · Mar 5, 2011

SNF's are now becoming rehabs too, all mixed and due to insurance. Now in this SNF that you are accepted to, will you be doing IV's, Trachs, blood draws, etc, stuff that acute do? If so that should be fine until you can find an acute facility as if you have what I stated above then you have experience with that type of equipment. What are you goals? Is your goal to work in acute such as ER, OR etc? If so keep applying to acute care. Have you tried to apply at home health? I know that home health requires med surge first, but if you have great refferals from your professors and a professor who can talk them into hiring you that's also a good thing.

It depends on what your goals are.

As long as the SNF you are accepted into runs like an acute faciility I think you would be fine.

Good luck.

jojonavy · Mar 7, 2011

This was one of the only Sub Acute facilities that I applied to but there are a number of reasons I think I might take the job. First off it pays well 32$ a hour, that's just as good as most new grad positions. I'm actually from the area and I have dozens of family that are willing to help. The place I want to move my family and settle down is near the area (American Canyon), so I'm that closer to that goal. I believe there's going to be plenty of acute skills that I can accumulate ie; trach, IV blood draws, wound care, etc. Last, there seems to be many RN opportunities in the area.

The downside, it's not a hospital so the pay is 10$ less... My cousin who got me the job is an LVN and will make more then me. It starts off oncall/ part-time so not sure how many hours I can get... Don't think it will be a problem and will be up to me to show a good work ethic and that I want the hours. I was told the patient load is in the low 20's. Scary, because we were trained in a hospital environment with 2-5 patients.

So I got the job and start on the 17th! But still waiting on results from the last run of applications that I've turned, with half that are in the same area, so wouldn't need to move. Got an interview at Scripps, so hope that turns out well!