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[AFwife727, BSN, RN]

I'm an RN, BSN. Been job searching for about 7 months now. My latest interview was for a rehabilitation facility. I have experience as a nurse tech working in an acute rehab unit in a hospital. When I went to the interview, however, they told me that the patient load is anywhere between 8-21 patients. I'm used to 5-6 patients, 7 at the most (what I was used to as a nurse tech, and this is standard in most hospitals for RNs too). What do you think about this patient load? Should I be wary of this? The interviewer also was very vague about how long I would be trained. As a new grad, I feel that I would need more training, for obvious reasons... But at the same time, if I'm offered the position, it's still a job. But the patient load.... I have read some horror stories on here. I just don't know.

I have another interview on Monday for an institution that cares for people with physical and mental disabilities. We all know that at times they can get violent/agitated. I'm not really interested in that avenue at all. But the job placement agency that I'm working with has tight ties with the company and is pushing me to interview with them. I was told that it is probably a guaranteed job for me since they would be carving out an RN position for me (they only have 1 RN on duty, the rest LPNs). I don't know how I feel about working in this area... However, it goes back to the fact that IS a job. Just unsure how I feel about taking a job even though I may feel that it's not right for me. But I guess I'll see how the interview goes, especially once I find out what my job description would be.

[silverbat]

Either job obviously will have pros and cons. I have worked both and sooo much depends on the management/administration. I would say look at both, talk to staff, see how happy, or not, the residents are and pick the one that has more to offer. As far as ratios go, it would depend on your actual job description... if you have 21, do you do all the meds, treatments, charting, etc? do you have a med person to do much of that, do you have 1, 2, 3 or no aides, etc....

I enjoyed much of my work with individuals with MR/DD, and work in SNF/rehab now.... Just my 2 cents worth...

[AFwife727, BSN, RN]

Thanks for your input! Do you think it's appropriate if I emailed the lady I interviewed with to ask these questions? She said that next week they'll be looking at all of the candidates before deciding on 3. Also, as far as talking to staff, would you recommend I go back to the facility on my own time? I'm just unsure how to go about all of this - I probably should have walked around the facility after the interview...