New Graduate Nurse getting job at nursing home? Big mistake or?

caliotter3 · Aug 16, 2018

It only becomes a mistake if you go too long without starting somewhere. One has a hard time explaining how not being employed as a nurse at all for say, sixteen months, is better than working in a nursing home for fourteen of those sixteen months. The individual who has worked in the nursing home during that time has experience, whereas the person who 'held out' could be seen in a negative light.

allnurses Guide · Aug 16, 2018

Agree with caliotter3. Don't hold out too long for a floor nursing job.

Nursing home work can be tough, but you can also learn quite a bit.

You CAN go from working in the nursing home, to a different type of

nursing later on, if you want to. Don't let anyone tell you that starting

out in a nursing home will "ruin" you. That is hogwash.

2018nurseandbeyond · Aug 16, 2018

It seems like not only me, but everyone in my graduating ADN class is having trouble since all our hospitals are looking for magnet. I think I'll accept it. I'm only working part time even shifts, and the facility is in the hospital.

It's not ideal but I'm gonna see it as a positive experience and a humbling one. I think I am just anxious because I feel like I won't get the training I need or something

@caliotter3

caliotter3 · Aug 16, 2018

Oh, but you will be getting training, albeit a lot of it self taught. When you hone your med administration skills for 39 or 40 residents, while at the same time fielding other concerns for those same residents, you will have a lot of time management skills in hand. Wise hiring managers in other facilities value those skills that come from working in long term care a lot more than they admire someone who spent months doing little more than firing out resumes while online.

2018nurseandbeyond · Aug 16, 2018

Thank you. I have an interview set up for next week with my manager. Do you have any tips for me? Any mindsets? I'm pretty inexperienced as a whole. I worked in highschool but I didn't work for pre-med or nursing school so I feel like really out of my element.

I believe I have a personable attitude, but I worry the workload is intensely crazy? I am 23.

caliotter3 · Aug 16, 2018

You can find tips and expectations/experiences concerning interviews by looking around this site. About the only advice I would offer is to do your best to be well rested and remember to show your enthusiasm (even if it is only because you will be employed!).

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Aug 17, 2018

I started out in a nursing home almost six years ago and I think it was a great place to start. As someone else pointed out, learning to manage your time with 30+ residents is invaluable. Also, assessment skills are key when you have so many people to keep an eye on. You're not doing full head to toe assessments, but you're going to learn to pick up on subtle changes (or not so subtle) that can be very important.

My nursing home coworkers today are all over the place- still in long-term care, in emergency departments, ICU, med-surg, psych, it's a good foundation for anywhere. And working is always better than not working!! Good luck.

Neats, BSN · Aug 17, 2018

Here are some tips for you:

1. Hone up on your nursing assessment skills, you will use them every day as you will have more autonomy than say a flood nurse.

2. Have good boundaries. If you are squished for time and talking with a resident let them know you only have a few mins and that you will come back at a later time to discuss further (use your assessment skills for this for they maybe going south you never know they want to talk).

3. Learn to delegate what you can. There is an art to this because it is easy to ask for something to be completed, it is harder to follow up. You must follow up to ensure that task has been completed.

4. Keep your medical drug booklet of phone app close in hand when administering medication so you know exactly what you are giving, and why.

5150nurse30 · Aug 20, 2018

Humbling?? No Mam in a LTC/Nursing home you must deal with a variety of things including end of life care, you must be able to use good assessment skills as well as good communication. You will deal with Cardiac patients, diabetic patients. patients with dementia ect you will need to be on your A game. sorry if this seems harsh but I have been a nurse for 30 + years and some of the best experience I had was at a nursing home. Good luck to you.