New grad RN in LTC & HH - how soon did you find a job?

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Hi everybody,

I'm a new grad RN/BSN. After searching for a hospital job for several months now I'm considering LTCs & Home health. I have a few questions for those who were in my shoes and found job in LTC or HH.

1) How long did it take you (days, weeks, months?) to land a RN job in LTC? in HH?

2) How many hours can/do you work each week on average in Home health? What kind of schedule do they offer? Can you work like 8 or 12-hours a day? I prefer working fewer days with more hours, like three 12-hours a week, if possible.

3) What things should I consider when comparing LTC facilities other than general ratings? I'd like to work somewhere that is as "close" to hospital setting as possible in terms of developing my nursing skills. Is there any difference between skilled nursing facility & nursing home? I don't know anyone who is in healthcare field where I am living, so I have to rely on my "research" only.

Thank you in advance for your advice & time!! :)

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I graduated last fall and worked 9 months in LTC. finding work in an LTC was not hard at all for me. They pretty much offered me the job first thing. I have spent the last 9 months searching for a hospital job but thankful was offered a job this week. Don't get me wrong in LTC you learn some skills but there is not really alot of hands on stuff. thankfully the job i will soon start required ltc experience. Any experience is good experience. At the facilities i know of they have both 8 and 12 hr shifts. I am not sure about hh but i do think that they should have at least a yr long experience worth of any kind of nursing because you are very independenet when youre out on your own.

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Thank you for your reply AXIDRN!

I am aware that generally HH require at least 1 year experience. While I was searching for a hospital new grad job out of desperation one time I went to one HH agency. They were interested in hiring me because I speak multiple languages (I think that was the only reason they were interested in me). When I asked about orientation they said I was supposed to shadow another RN during three visits, and that's all! I'm not kidding! They only had part-time jobs. I didn't feel safe about that place.

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You are right AXIDR - any experience is good experience! I understand there is so much to learn, and I need to start somewhere. Hopefully after working in LTC (if I find one) for a while hopefully I can move on to a hospital position like you did. That's my plan. My nursing instructor said I need to apply EVERYWHERE! I realized she is right.

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Specializes in LTC, OB, psych.

It took me one application and interview to land a job in LTC, both times. I can't tell you what sort of facility is better for reinforcing technical skills . . . I got a regular workout with cathing (including a 400# pt. No small feat!), with flushing ports, dressing same, starting an IV or two, tube feedings, and myriad types of wound care. But the real education came in with finding my footing as a nurse, supervising people, working with other disciplines and managing demented people with behaviors.

FWIW, it took 10 weeks for me to land a hospital job. I am told that the hospital that hired me is not hiring anyone much these days (Mayo). I suspect a selling point with me is that I am bilingual and have worked as an interpreter.

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Specializes in LTC, OB, psych.

I want to add that you should probably talk to employees (not the interviewer) of LTC places and ask them about turnover. Read their faces and sample the atmosphere. My last place took great care of its residents, but the work culture there was poisonous. The work load was insane, as well. Older nurses would join up and then resign without notice within days because the charting load was unusually heavy. I was let go, myself, after a couple years because I was, as they put it, and excellent nurse but a lousy ward clerk.

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Thank you etaoinshrdluRN! I'm going to look into some LTCs in the area.

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I was in a similar situation a few years back as a new grad with no hospital positions available. I took a LTC position and lasted a whole year. Yes you can gain good experience, skills and confidence but the nature of the work in LTC is physically and mentally very demanding... it is a lot of hard work and usually many patients to take care of. My advise-find out about the different LTC in your community-nurses turn over rates, pt to nurse ratio, how long has the administrator/DON are in the position. This type of information is a way to estimate how stable the work environment is which is so important especially at your first job!! Best of luck!!

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I was in a similar situation a few years back as a new grad with no hospital positions available. I took a LTC position and lasted a whole year. Yes you can gain good experience, skills and confidence but the nature of the work in LTC is physically and mentally very demanding... it is a lot of hard work and usually many patients to take care of. My advise-find out about the different LTC in your community-nurses turn over rates, pt to nurse ratio, how long has the administrator/DON are in the position. This type of information is a way to estimate how stable the work environment is which is so important especially at your first job!! Best of luck!!

Thank you for your input RN_MishMish!!

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