New LPN job--right move?

Specialties Geriatric

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new lpn job--right move?

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i just accepted a new lpn job. i am a new grad. i have been a cna for 5 years. last job was 4 years. started orientation as a lpn at old job but was applying at other places.

i :redpinkhe my old job, :redbeathe 99.9% of my co-workers (a few i didnt care for:no: but you have those. pay was not what i expected for a lpn in ltc.

local hospital starts out lpn 15.00 (on website). old ltc job start rate was 13.00. with experience and yrs working there my pay was going to be 14.25 +2.00 shift diff= 16.25. personally money is not everything. i told my old boss if i dont like my new job i will come back, i love it here, it is home. she said i would always be welcome.

new job- start orientation on monday so i really don't know much. i accepted it b/c it is a much higher paying job. i figured future jobs i might have would match or be around the same pay as i start. pay at new job is 19.50+1.50 shift diff=21.00. plus $$$$7,500 sign on bonus with attendence policy followed. this is not a problem for me since my last job (4 yrs) abscent one day- admited to hosp. however new job is 58 miles. winter might be a problem. i have a vw diesel so gas is not really the problem. need to add wear and tear on car though.

p.s. this is rn pay around my area. local hospital start new rn at 19.26 (on website)

biggest concern: orientation nurse made a comment about last yrs surveys so bad that students cannot come in building until such date. that caught my attention. after research on the web. they had a total of 30 things/tags to address. most was "2" and a couple "3". i was shocked. :stone there was no smells or anything noticeable working around. i was told it is under new management - last 3 years. and they were trying to change things.

old job- perfect survery x3 yrs and this year not bad but a few things.

new job building looks in :down: condition- needs updated. however old job just spent a million dollars for reconstruction and updates. so that really is not fair argument.

i know i need to give it time, just nervous, havent had a new job in yrs. what if it is horrible? i always said i never left old place b/c grass is not always greener on the olther side.

should old building and bad survery turn my away?

honestly i think it is just nerves.

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I would run from the new place. I have never heard of a signing bonus for an LPN, and you will have to pay that back if you leave before x date.

If they're getting multiple tags they have serious issues, either with staffing, processes, or supervision. You will be swimming without a life vest.

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Specializes in EMS~ ALS.../...Bartending ~ Psych :).

Question? How far away is your current job??

At 58 miles one way you are adding at least 2 extra hours to your shift.

along with the gas and the extra oil changes, etc.

12 hours at 16.25 = $195.00 and if its close to home no drive time

12 hours at 21.00= $252 now subtract the 2 hour drive time perday that you don't get paid for and at $21.00ph = $42.00 So that takes you down to $210.00

So you would be basically working for $15.00 more a day. Throw in your gas and probally at least a meal & snack and you will probally find that you are making less then what you are at your current job.. (providing that it is close to home.)

Sounds like you are happy with your currnet job, and I think I would stay put.... But thats just my opinion, good luck in whatever you decide.

J.Q.

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well i live in the country but close to the highway. So my old job is 18 miles away --on the opposite side of the next city but through town and the stop lights It takes me about 40 minutes. I always leave 40- 45min to leave myself enough time( day shift =school buses, 2nd shift= traffic 3rd shift = usually good

So yea the miles on the car is a lot less however the time is almost the same. The new job is a straight shot on the highway right off the exit. So far my first couple of trips were about 50 min and one was 55 min. thanks for eberyones input.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

If it were me, and I were still a new grad LPN. I would take the job in the hospital. Most often to fullfill sign on bonus means what 2 year committment.

Yes , I would do that just for the experience alone. Also in regards to sign on bonus. They are given for people who are hired into hard to fullfill areas. Be aware though, is the area you are going to be working in , one of them. When I moved to Florida, they also were giving signs on bonus's for LPN. However I did not accept a job in the area for which they were paying the bonus. Hence no bonus for me. Discovered that after I was hired. Just food for thought.

As you many already realize many hospitals do not hire LPN's . Gain the experience. You can always return to LTC in the future if you want.

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As a new LPN myself who left a job and went through a few bad jobs that paid well to end up BACK where I started, trust me when I say THE GRASS IS NEVER GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE (it only seems that way because of all the MANURE fertilizing it!!)

Catlover5

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Thanks everyone.

New job- yea it is close to capital of the state, so there are a lot of signon bonus in that area. This is over one year with attendence maintain within attendence policy. So figured, I can do anything for a yr right, trying to stay positive!

Old job- once a blue moon we have sign on bonuses (usually three times a yr for one or two position)- always $2,000 a for one yr and following attendence. Def. do not have one now b/c 110 nursing students just graduated from a local CC. funny thing is the ones that get the sign on bonus at old job usually leave after their yr anyway. Most employees are 5yrs- 20yrs within the company.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, ICU, OR, PACU.

You're being very smart by researching the survey history of the building. I would have done the same thing. If a building has that many citations, then it has serious system issues. Serious system issues can make your life, as a new grad, a living hell.

I'd take a different position.

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50 miles one way is a long commute. in my opinion.

How long do you have to work to keep the sign-on bonus?

For that bonus, i might, if i were you, consider moving there and reducing my commute, if it's something you can do.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Yes,a long commute, and again I would not be focusing on the money so much. I would be focusing on the fact that working in a hospital the experience you will get. Do not get me wrong LTC LPN's are great, have met many. I also plan on doing some prn work in LTC. I feel my working in a hospital setting has been what has made it so easy for me to move about from one side of the country to the other.

How many LPN's have complained no hospital will hire them. Also people have mentioned the poor report the hospital received. As long as the hospital will now be working on changing the problems they were having I would not be focusing so much on this either. You can end up being part of the solution so to speak.

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