nursing home

[firstyearRN]

I'm likely going to start my nursing career working in a nursing home with subacute care and a variety of different units. My concern is that I will have no career mobility potential later because I did not start at a hospital. Does anyone have any comments regarding this? I'm finding employment very hard to come by these days!

thank you in advance!!

[caliotter3]

So working at a nursing home for a year will generally fulfill the one year med surg requirement that a lot of hospitals and agencies want??

thanks so much!

No, not necessarily. Some employers are more stringent than others on what amount and kind of experience they require. But what is implied by most of the posts you will find on the site, is that a year of experience in a LTC facility is a year of experience. You would be in a better position to get the job you desire after one year working in LTC, than the graduate who sat around the house unemployed for one year or worked at their previous job because they didn't get the right offer right out of nursing school.

[hazelhrm]

I agree with the previous posts that say to take the job - once you have a job, it is always easier to find a job. And, who knows, you may find you like LTC! Over the course of 30+ years I have worked hospital, doctors office, IPA and LTC - and find I really love LTC. It is challenging and fulfilling, and small actions can have a huge impact on the resident and their families.

[horrorxgirl]

Another option is to while you work there and get some experience under your belt, perhaps pick up some partime work through agencies, if they hire in your area. They are EVERYWHERE around here. I've gotten lots of varied experience that looks attractive on a resume just from working agency.

[Blackheartednurse]

Sounds like a better plan than the one that which will involve you sitting at home...slowly forgetting things/skills you have learn in nursing homes...If you dont take this job how will you explain yourself one year later when a potential chance to work for a hospital comes?Have you thought about that.Dont want to rain on your parade but are you aware that your status as a new grad will expire one day and you will be considered a not so new nurse with no experience TRUST me,you dont wont be at a position whereas you tell them that you have been sitting at home and looking for a job for a whole year,doesnt sounds marketable..take it from me,I'm a 2009 May grad who just accepted an offer and the hospital I will be working for already gave me a hard time for not keeping up with my skills..."I couldnt find a job for all this time" just doesnt work for hospital facilities and working for sub acute floor at LTC sounds mighty better and convincing as well as appealing..Look at it from the manager's perspective--Wouldnt you want to prefer hiring someone with a nursing home experience over not so new grad anymore who didnt had an opportunity to keep up with their skills"?

I was lucky enough to land a hospital gig after searching for six long months,but I would not hesitate to accept an offer from LTC before that.

[paacollins]

I'm going to give you a different take on the subject. I worked as a CNA in a nursing for a year or so before starting nursing school. Not only did it hone my people skills, it prepared me to take care of my 90 year old mother at home. I always said I'd NEVER put her in a nursing home and, now that I am an RN, I don't have to. I take care of her at home. With our parents aging, you might find LTC experience will come in handy one day on a personal level.