Little Too Late??

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 28, 2005

Welcome to the site Brandi. Congratulations on the call and I can see your dilema. All I can say is that talk to your boss and see if he can accomodate you some hours and work around your schedule. Also, you can try to find anothe job that will work with your schedule and then quit the bartending one. Either way best wishes to you. :)

TracyB,RN, RN · Jul 29, 2005

I guess the first step is to go for the interview & see what kind of schedule they are talking about. Be prepared by calling the cc to see if you can even get into different classes, before going to interview.

As far as what to look for & what kind of questions to ask...

Overtime - mandatory?

Uniforms & gait belt - furnished by facility

Pt ratio - you said this facility is pretty good as far as that is concerned... what is done in event of call-offs?

Specific duties - what are they? Shift specific duties?

Holiday schedules - important if young ones in the house

Will they be flexible with your upcoming school schedule?

Will this be a paid training program? Are you eligible for bonus pay (if any) while training?

Ask for a tour. Check out the resident rooms, soiled utility rooms, shower room, even the baseboards... Is there a strong odor or lots of air freshener masking smells? Are supplies plentiful? Bed alarms, low beds, Hoyer lift or other similar lift devices to help protect your back (A BIG MUST). Ohhh, you can also ask to see the most recent survey results. This will tell you about any deficiencies that IDPH (IL Department of Public Health) has cited the facility for. You can also check out

http://www.idph.state.il.us

& search the facility's name to see if they have major issues going on there.

Go with your gut & do what is best to help you prepare for a nursing career.

GOOD LUCK :)

MrsStock10 · Jul 31, 2005

I guess the first step is to go for the interview & see what kind of schedule they are talking about. Be prepared by calling the cc to see if you can even get into different classes, before going to interview.
As far as what to look for & what kind of questions to ask...
Overtime - mandatory?
Uniforms & gait belt - furnished by facility
Pt ratio - you said this facility is pretty good as far as that is concerned... what is done in event of call-offs?
Specific duties - what are they? Shift specific duties?
Holiday schedules - important if young ones in the house
Will they be flexible with your upcoming school schedule?
Will this be a paid training program? Are you eligible for bonus pay (if any) while training?
Ask for a tour. Check out the resident rooms, soiled utility rooms, shower room, even the baseboards... Is there a strong odor or lots of air freshener masking smells? Are supplies plentiful? Bed alarms, low beds, Hoyer lift or other similar lift devices to help protect your back (A BIG MUST). Ohhh, you can also ask to see the most recent survey results. This will tell you about any deficiencies that IDPH (IL Department of Public Health) has cited the facility for. You can also check out
http://www.idph.state.il.us
& search the facility's name to see if they have major issues going on there.
Go with your gut & do what is best to help you prepare for a nursing career.
GOOD LUCK :)

Well I went to my interview. They hired me and are going to send me to the CNA course. I will get paid $6.25 while in the course. ALSO They will pay for my RN as long as I work at one of their facilities. Tuition and books. They do furnish gait belts also. I am so excited you guys. I can finally quit my dreaded bartending job and get on with my dream. I am not letting myself get too excited so I dont get crushed but I have an awesome feeling. Everyone there was soo nice and courteous. I go back Aug 30th for orientation and start the CNA course Sept 6.. She said I could do every other weekend while in the course to get my accquainted with the facility and the residents. I sure hope this pans out and if its not A+ I can deal with that and not go thousands of dollars in debt to get my RN. I told her I had signed up for the LPN course with the local college and she said well why arent you getting your RN. Immediately after that is when she said they pay 100% for my nursing classes. I am super excited as if you cant tell!!!! :balloons:

Thanks for listening to me ramble on and on.

Brandi

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 31, 2005

Well I went to my interview. They hired me and are going to send me to the CNA course. I will get paid $6.25 while in the course. ALSO They will pay for my RN as long as I work at one of their facilities. Tuition and books. They do furnish gait belts also. I am so excited you guys. I can finally quit my dreaded bartending job and get on with my dream. I am not letting myself get too excited so I dont get crushed but I have an awesome feeling. Everyone there was soo nice and courteous. I go back Aug 30th for orientation and start the CNA course Sept 6.. She said I could do every other weekend while in the course to get my accquainted with the facility and the residents. I sure hope this pans out and if its not A+ I can deal with that and not go thousands of dollars in debt to get my RN. I told her I had signed up for the LPN course with the local college and she said well why arent you getting your RN. Immediately after that is when she said they pay 100% for my nursing classes. I am super excited as if you cant tell!!!! :balloons:
Thanks for listening to me ramble on and on.
Brandi

Great news, Brandi! :) We share your excitement :biggringi

Katmease · Jul 31, 2005

Congratulations!!! That's wonderful & I wish you the best!