New grad RN to take first job in subacute -yay or nay?

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Specializes in PEDS.

Hi all,

After 4 months of job hunting, I recently got hired at a subacute facility. I'm currently still on classroom orientation. After reading numerous threads on here about how new grads quit shortly after getting hired in LTC, i feel very scared and discouraged :crying2:. I will get 3 weeks orientation on the floor. I would have a max of 20 patients, or less depending on census. hospitals in my area job market will not get better until the spring supposedly. I was told by a hospital recruiter to get experience in subacute because they'll still consider that as relevant experience later on. so i figured i might as well get some type of experience til then, cuz its better than no experience at all. plus, december grads are coming out soon. Did anybody ever start out in subacute and ended up having an okay experience? also any advice please share. thanks

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Take what you can get. I worked in a LTC years ago when I was an LPN. I graduated 5 years ago with a RN and had an interview with a hospital 4 hours after I applied. Those days are over.

Take it, get the experience of delegating, prioratizing, organizing, getting/giving report, etc....and hopefully doors will start to open for you once this crunch eases up. Do you have a cover letter? If not, write one and send it to any job you apply at. Call the recruiters, send them cards after interviews, etc. This will get better, so hang in there.

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Congratulations on getting in, some LTC 's say they would place you in a subacute floor but they would not really keep the promise. Make sure that you are in a subacute floor. good luck

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Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

This is probably not the best time for me to reply, but I'm gonna any way. I got my license in August I believe, not sure what day it is currently, lol. I left my cna job at a hospital and went straight into a subacute position at an ltc. good pay, good coworkers, for the most part. I have learned a lot, except the paper work part, when I was getting that part of orientation the nurse preferred smoke breaks to teaching. So tonight, when I shoulda been off at 10 p, which usually means 10:45, i was there till 12:30 working on a new admit I got at 8 p, right at med pass!!! Now I'm sitting here, having a beer at 1:40 a and posting this. But I love this job! Oh, and corporate was there during my first few hours of the shift and states coming monday! Bloody hell! Ok, done venting. It really is a good way to start out! It will show you if you have what it takes to be a nurse! Goood luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

I graduated in May 08, started out September 08 on a subacute rehab floor at a local LTC facility. I'd be frightened of that high a ratio...20:1? Are you expected to do admissions as well? Some of these pts have some serious treatments, IV meds, etc...the ratio on my subacute floor is 8-9:1 when full (my team has 8, the other 2 have 9...and the floor has three nurses on day/evening shift. 20 subacute by yourself as a new grad is too much, IMO.

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yayy dude! congrats on getting a job!! im a new grad RN also & after 3 1/2 months still am unemployed. i think there has to be something to gain from working LTC... prioritization, delegation developing your skills, critical thinking, feeling confident. ive expanded my job search to include LTC rather than just hospitals & have an interview on tues. @ this point ill take what i can get & am trying to recognize the value in any position. i know many RNs are overloaded in LTCFs but if you think about what itd be like starting in a hospital it may actually be less stressful? i have 3 aunts that are nurses and all of them started in LTC & said they gained alot to take away when they were ready to move on. let me know how it goes! good luck girl!

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Hi all,

After 4 months of job hunting, I recently got hired at a subacute facility. I'm currently still on classroom orientation. After reading numerous threads on here about how new grads quit shortly after getting hired in LTC, i feel very scared and discouraged :crying2:. I will get 3 weeks orientation on the floor. I would have a max of 20 patients, or less depending on census. hospitals in my area job market will not get better until the spring supposedly. I was told by a hospital recruiter to get experience in subacute because they'll still consider that as relevant experience later on. so i figured i might as well get some type of experience til then, cuz its better than no experience at all. plus, december grads are coming out soon. Did anybody ever start out in subacute and ended up having an okay experience? also any advice please share. thanks

Honestly, I would say take it. Just because other new grads quit their jobs doesn't mean you'll have a bad experience. I truly believe that if you have supportive co-workers, you will be fine. I have huge respect for Subacute/LTC/Nsg home RN's because they do SO much and work unbelievably hard.

You will learn a TON and get great time management skills!!! Like you said, some experience is better than none. At least you will be working....if you don't like it or it's just too much you can always leave and wait until the market opens back up hopefully in the Spring. :twocents:

Good Luck!!!!

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That's a great ratio and orientation.

Mazel tov! And calm down. You'll rock it.

:)

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