Job A or Job B?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

Well for a new grad, i would pick B probly. You would get a little more experience, a little less stress with a little more support, going into your first year of nursing. A large LTC facility that is ready to hire a new grad as a house supervisor should send up red flags for you all over the place. There is a reason noone wants that job. There are plenty of experienced, capable nurses that could do that job but for some reason wont take it. If they dont want it, why would you?

First year nurses need time to put the whole of the scope into perspective. You need a facility that will give you ratios that leave room for a little slower pace sometimes so you can learn some of the things you need to be comfortable with.

Even with 6 months experience you still arent ready for a supervisory position. Give yourself at least a year to 16 months then if you feel ready for a supervisor position, see if there is one.

nubins397 · Jul 9, 2005

I would go with job B, you say you are anew grad? Ithink you would be wise to work in ahospital first and get some experiance under your belt before taking on a charge position in anursing home.YOU are the ONE that is responsible for the entire 273 pts.Yes there are Lpns in the building also that are charge nurses BUT when something goes wrong with a pt.YOU are responsible also.Its not a ''pie'' job.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

I would go B, not only because you are a new grad, but also because I prefer hospital nursing myself. It sounds like you will have leadership (charge) opportunities in near future at the hospital job too.

Do you love to do LTC? Have you done it? If you haven't, then you have no way of knowing if you'd like it.

lady_jezebel · Jul 9, 2005

B

without a doubt

tangerine · Jul 9, 2005

Your instinct is correct. Most LTC facilities have a high nurse/patient ratio, so your feelings are right on target. I am an LPN at one of these LTC facilities, and I am running out of fingers and toes, as to how many "supervisors" have come and gone in approximately a period of 5 years.

With job A, you will be pulled here there and everywhere. You may even (are you ready?) have to take a med cart, if any LPN calls in sick, and they cannot find a replacement. I have literally seen and heard a grown adult RN supervisor, go into the bathroom and YES, cry, because she had to take a cart.

No amount of sick days, or pay will compensate you for stepping into a roll that many seasoned RN's don't know how to manage.

Very sorry for any RN reading this, for this is often the case.

So, long story short, take Job B, count your blessings, and welcome to nursing.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jul 9, 2005

Is working for a state facility better? I've heard gov't jobs are good. That's where the 403b fund comes in I guess

the 401k and the 403b are like the same thing, just 403b is when you work at a not for profit place. I work at a large hospital system, not a state run facility, and have a 403b b/c it is not for profit.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2005

RUN far AWAY from A!!!!!

Definitely B is the better choice! You will have less responsibility thus allowing you to learn more in a less stressful environment. You will enjoy it more also.

VeryPlainJane · Jul 9, 2005

I'm with B too!

Meerkat · Jul 9, 2005

Wow---that's a pretty strong concensus! And I was leaning toward Job A.

I'll definitely take your thoughts into consideration as I mull this over. I just thought that being an RN supervisor would give me the opportunity to be in a position to really ensure good care for the LTC residents. Of course, I admit, I am tempted by the idea of 'house supervisor' on my resume'.

Thanks, and any other thoughts would be appreciated!

Meerkat · Jul 10, 2005

I actually forgot something VERY important regarding Job B. I actually just posted another thread about it so I'll cut and paste here.

I interviewed at a hospital last week and was SHOCKED by something the nurse manager said. She said, We have a black LPN here, and he's really good---he doesn't have that black attitude. Even the white ladies like him." She also asked me if I am hispanic, because my resume says I have translated for Spanish speaking patients. (I'm not hispanic.) She also asked if I have children...I believe that these questions are illegal, and I was appalled at the comment regarding the LPN.

I know ya'll are going to tell me to keep looking...but this is a TINY town and I've sent out resumes to any facility that is here. So, while Job B may seem better at first glance, those interview remarks shoot red flags up. I guess I'm trying to figure out the lesser of two evils.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

If the prejudices of administration is a turn off i understand that. But remember you dont have to mirror those, but you may have to ignore their ignorance.

Nursing supervisor only looks good on a resume if you need to change jobs. And why would you need to change jobs if the job were one you wanted. Remember job hopping is NOT an asset on a resume.

The only change you as a supervisor can make for any LTC residents are the ones that you can implement yourself. Those are far and few between in the LTC setting because administration is going to have last word. Unless you are willing to follow behind each staff member they are going to do the work the way they have been oriented to do it and they will continue to cut corners at every turn they can. It's the nature of the job.

Get your experience under your belt first,, then in a couple years think about what you can do to make things "better" where you work.