New grad hired on as main RN at small facility--HELP!

[kjfitz]

I've just graduated and have accepted a job offer to be the main RN during the day time at a relatively small assisted living facility. While I will be receiving 3 months training, I am concerned about not having real-world experience and being put in a position of leadership from the standpoint of a nursing role.

It has been suggested to me that the ideal atmosphere for a new grad would be a highly structured environment like that of a new grad program at a hospital. While I understand that that would be ideal, my options are limited and I am in a position as a single mother where I need to take what I can get and hopefully grow to meet the role.

What are your thoughts on this?

[elkpark]

My thoughts are that you are right to be concerned. What back-up/supervision will be available to you? You could find yourself having to make significant judgment calls that you are not well-prepared to make. Lots of smaller and less-acute facilities (like ALFs) don't know or care the difference between a new grad and an experienced RN, all they know is that you have a license -- if you crash and burn, they will just get another warm body with a license to replace you and keep going. However, you only have you, and you need to be cautious about putting yourself in situations in which you can (easily) end up in over your head. However, I also understand that times are hard and options limited for new grads. Tough decision to have to make. Best wishes!

[ceebeejay]

In school, that position is the position we were always told and taught we would have to come out prepared for. You have the smarts. Just think things through carefully figure out who to contact when you just don't know. Are you there with docs that are expected to help you where needed or someone else with more experience? Also, until you go through training it's hard to gauge everything. Also, not to scare you but it's good sense to have no matter what kind of nursing you do, get some malpractice insurance. The facility may provide some, but that insurance company will act to protect them, not you. All nurses should have their own policies. They are pretty inexpensive.

[elkpark]

Are you there with docs that are expected to help you where needed or someone else with more experience?

Most ALFs don't even employ RNs. I can't imagine there would be "docs" around.