Shall I take this job?

[bonjour79]

I have a quandary. We just moved to Portland, OR, not realising how totally saturated the market is out here and how hard it is for new grads to get a job. I have applied to every residency program, and every job I can at OHSU - around 50 jobs total since beg-April. I am still waiting on some residency positions from one hospital, but have not even received a call for an interview.

We got word that my husband may be let go last week, so I applied to a post-acute rehab facility. They called me to interview and offered me a job. Unfortunately it is five 8-hour shifts, 2:30-10:00pm (which means I wouldn't see my kids after school), $27/hour (with no shift differential), no PTO for the first year, as well as a 2 year commitment. I can move to days/part-time after a few months, which I am considering, but the commitment is pretty daunting, and I would like to start applying to hospital positions after a few months of experience. I am torn! I am not desperate for a job, as my husband is still working full-time (currently not yet let go), but am concerned that it is going to take so long to get a new grad job here.

What are your thoughts/advice? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have to let them on Monday whether I want to take it or not.

[Alex_RN, BSN]

Is this job considered acute care? If not, you might look for LTAC. At least the acute care component can get you into a traditional hospital.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Well, if the company feels like that salary, lack of differential, and LONG delay for PTO is how their staff should be treated, I'd say no. And, as a galling bonus, they want to extract a promise to stay there two years.

I can imagine how many other ways their contempt for employees might be illustrated during a tenure there...

[klone, MSN, RN]

Well, if the company feels like that salary, lack of differential, and LONG delay for PTO is how their staff should be treated, I'd say no. And, as a galling bonus, they want to extract a promise to stay there two years.

I can imagine how many other ways their contempt for employees might be illustrated during a tenure there...

Excellent points.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

How long is your orientation? Have you asked yourself why they are hiring new grads?

Post-acute rehab is a tough gig. I was offered a similar position. I would have 13-15 patients on afternoons, massive paperwork because most admissions come on afternoons and be the only R.N. on the floor.

Find out exactly what you are in for.

[bonjour79, BSN]

Hi - the orientation is 18 days, about 2.5 weeks. I'll have about 12 patients on evenings with 2 CNAs. I did not think about all the charting on that many patients.

Thanks for everyone's comments - it's helpful for me as we process.

[peachtreednurse, RN]

If it was a choice I had to make I would say take it. I had a hiatus after having children and on reentering the job market began in a Rehab-LTC facility 3 Floors 183 beds. It was A solid decision which offered a good review of chronic medical conditions, post-op rehab for hip and knee surgical patients, cardiac disease, emphysema, HTN,MS, Post CVA, post-amputee, TUR, MHMR,plus new onset changes of status from bowel obstruction to sepsis, wound care, etc. Assessment and observation as a nursing intervention is still a major tool for the nurse in any level of care. As far as the documentation; criteria needs vary from skilled nursing to custodial care.But I went on to hospital acute care and other experiences including an offer to train as a midwife with no out-of-pocket on my part by OB-GYN' employers, which I did happen to decline.

[CKPM2RN, ASN, EMT-P]

Salem, Astoria, The Dalles, Albany, Corvallis

Since your husband may be let go, can you relocate?

Astoria has a great community hospital, it's a beautiful area, a lot less expensive than Portland.

[bonjour79, BSN]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, it was helpful in making a decision. I ended up turning down the offer, and applied to a few more Rehab places. I have 3 interviews in the next few days, with better scheduling and hopefully better pay.