Just hired at a Skilled Nursing/LTC Facility

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Well I am excited to say that I got a job today! I will be working for a skilled nursing facility that is within a corporation here in Michigan that has 15 branches throughout the state and will be building more in the near future. I am really excited, three of my friends work for the company at a different branch and love it. It sounds like a really good company with good opportunities for further training and experience. I can't wait to start orientating and start my career as a RN!!! Does anyone have any advice that may help me out since the only experience I have in nursing is from my clinicals? This facility has a rehab section, a long term care section and a unit devoted strictly to dementia and alzheimers disease, which really interests me. Any suggestions/help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!

D

Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

I'm from the Livingston County area, but I work in Pontiac, MI. I just got home from my afternoon shift, and sleep sounds very good right now...:yawn:

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Ah, I grew up just north of pontiac in Oxford. Currently living in Lapeer county now and will be working in the Rochester hills area once I start middle of June.

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Well, I just received a call from the first place I interviewed extensively with and they offered me a part time job on days for a $1.50 more than the place I hired in with and am waiting to start orientation with... This new offer is much closer to my house, however I didn't feel rel comfortable with the DON at this facility an some of the aides and other nurses when I was taken on a tour of the facility seemed standoffish and not real welcoming. Both jobs are part time, one is close to my house (the one I am thinking I will turn down) and the one that I have already accepted is at least twice as far away... I have friends who work for the company at a different location and they say they love it. I have a friend who has given me some not so terrific information about the closer place, and that saddens me what I have heard (her mom is an RN also who dealt with this place and she ended up turning them in for some major violations). I know every place is going to have its violations and inspections and complaints, but I got a really warm, friendly welcoming feeling at the place I already accepted the offer at and not so much at the place who just called to offer me a position. Neither position offers benefits for part time and the place I have already accepted employment with may be part time afternoons or midnights, which doesn't bother me in the least bit. Both places would be about the same hours per pay and both are SNF/LTC.

So, while it sounds like I have already made up my mind and will stay with working at the place further from home for a little less pay, I wanted your guys' opinions in case there is something I am not considering, seeing as I am such a new nurse. Sorry for the confused rambling, I just want to make sure I am considering everything and weighing the options right, I told the second offerer I would let them know by tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for your help!

Oh, I should mention too, that when I found out I had an interview with the place I already accepted, I was super excited and really hoped they offered me a job... I wasn't that excited about the place with the most recent offer and I think that I should really listen to my gut and excitement level on this... Sounds like the company I already accepted with provides better training opportunities as well which is EXTREMELY important to me, the other place says there are things that you can do on your own time but nothing that is really sanctioned or offered by the company itself... unlike the other place who is big on inservice training and providing the training that the employees need.

I am pretty sure my mind is made up and I am still super excited about starting orientation middle of June and working for that company, even with the other offer on the table, so I believe that would be the best choice and the happiest choice for me... but like I said, I just wanted others opinions to make sure I am not missing a key factor. Thanks!

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Go with your gut.... sounds like you already made your decision

Good luck:)

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What optimist and dajulieness said was right on the money!!!!! I could'nt agree more!!!! I definately can relate to optimist with what she said. I was a CNA for 17yrs in LTC and then back in 2007 I got my LPN, When I got out of nursing school I did a little of peds, internal medicine in a clinic(YUCK talk about a glorified mommy for a bunch of resident doctors), agency and then about a year ago I decided to do skilled nursing/LTC and realized that I absolutely LOVED IT!! But you have to really learn Tme Management BIG TIME!!! Make lots of cheat sheets because your Residents are changing all the time. The thing that I absolutely love about skilled nursing is you really get alot of good nursing experience!! Your never ever bored and the awesome relationships that you make with pt's, their family members and all your co-workers!! Just remember though with skilled nursing YOU WILL BE THE ONE PERSON THAT EVERYONE WANTS ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL THE TIME LOL!! Cause you are the nurse in charge. the toughest thing for me in the beginning was all the charting I had to do and be able to get done with it all by the end of my shift. I work 7-3 but would find myself charting sometimes until 7pm. So remember to stop and chart during your shift and dont wait til the very end!:lol2::coollook::nurse:

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I just want to say that its so awesome to hear from nurses all over the U.S. say the same things that I feel when Im at work! Because Im in Tulsa, Ok. Nice to have lots of other great nurses to relate to :yeah:Love everyones great advice!!! I have to say that Im so blessed to work where I do cause my D.O.N. is wonderful and really backs her nurses up and loves all the residents at our facility. She is very pleasant to talk to and really makes you feel like her door is always open for you. Plus the aides and nurses all help one another as a team which is very rare at alot of facilities!!! Just remember nurses are human to so take care of yourself and you will be able to take care of everyone else!!!:D

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you'll be be awesome, let us know how it goes. This website is here to support and inform!

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I am a 52 year old new graduate Registered Nurse. I have often looked to allnurses.com for answers to questions and concerns. It is so wonderful how all you experienced nurses help us newbie's. I was wondering if anyone was going to hire me. I've been applying since last December when I graduated and just got my first job this week (Sept 11 interviewed, Sept 12 general orientation paperwork, the Sept 13 first day floor orientation, Sept 15 second day floor orientation, and tomorrow Sept 18 first day SOLO). I can't believe how irresponsible this is.

I plan on making it a point to see all the patients first hand (this is also the Skilled Nursing floor) and charting will wait. I can do paperwork afterward.

Thank you for the tips, I have seen some nurses I would like to follow and learn from but it seems I will not have the chance. This facility is actually a 4 out of 5 star rating so it is better than some. I am PRN and have an interview with another hospital skilled and long term care facility. I may work both and get training at the new one.

I WILL REMEMBER TO PRAY BEFORE MY SHIFT, I BELIEVE THAT IS THE BEST INSURANCE I CAN HAVE!

THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Lisa H

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