New Grad in LTC Facility through agency staffing. Advice?

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Hi all,

So after months of applying for jobs as a RN new grad, I have finally got some minor luck. I'm a newbie and I'm unsure what I'm doing, a staffing agency said they might offer me a RN position at a VA hospital in LTC (per diem i think). So far they've been pretty vague on the information, but they said they will work hard to find me work.

Can anyone give me advice on agency nursing and taking a VA job (per diem) job as a new grad RN? I've heard of things such lack of orientation, minimal training/ orientation as a new grad. But in this economy, is it worth it? Any idea what normal compensation is (California) for perdiem RNs at a hospital?

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

Well...I've never done agency in CA (I have traveled there though), and I've done local agency in Florida. Be prepared to hit the ground running. When I did local agency in Florida, I never had orientation. I was expected to start my shift. Sure I got a quick explaination of the paper work, but that was about it. For that reason, I don't advise new grads to work agency.

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Wow, in my opionion two things that just don't mix are new grad and agency work. Unless agency works very differently in your area, you will be expected to show up, take the keys, and work your shift. I have never seen an agency nurse get any kind of orientation. Report on a long-term floor often consists of little more than "Sally's fine, she takes her pills crushed" x 30 or more residents.

In fact, reputable agencies don't hire new grads, the fact that this agency hired you would be a red flag for me.

I'm sorry, I hope I don't have the correct understanding of how your situation will work. I know it's hard when you haven't been able to find a job in so long. I wish you all the best!

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I also advise against agency work as a new grad. I saw how horribly agency nurses were treated at a facility that I once worked at. No one (but me) would help the person and she didn't last very many shifts. It is as if the regular personnel think the agency nurse is only there to be used and abused. I don't know why this attitude even exists, but often it is there.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
Wow, in my opionion two things that just don't mix are new grad and agency work. Unless agency works very differently in your area, you will be expected to show up, take the keys, and work your shift. I have never seen an agency nurse get any kind of orientation. Report on a long-term floor often consists of little more than "Sally's fine, she takes her pills crushed" x 30 or more residents.

In fact, reputable agencies don't hire new grads, the fact that this agency hired you would be a red flag for me.

I'm sorry, I hope I don't have the correct understanding of how your situation will work. I know it's hard when you haven't been able to find a job in so long. I wish you all the best!

Hitting the "kudos" button would be a HUGE understatement!!

You absolutely, positively do not want to even try agency LTC as a new grad. Job or no job, you are seriously putting your license at risk. LTC is tough with orientation and experience - a new grad agency nurse would be a disaster.

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:bow: thank you!!! I won't be taking any offers from this agency for any hospitals jobs in the future. instead i'll just keep applying to a solid new grad program. phew good thing i came here for some wisdom from older nurses. i'm indeed only 24 and very new to the job market. thank you thank you. you guys rock!!!
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