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Discussion

Should I accept the job?

Hello fellow Nurses,

I just came back from an interview from a Subacute rehab/LTC. I am a 1 year post grad who got her license last Nov. I interviewed with the DON and ADON of the facility. As a new grad nurse, they told me that I will get about 4 weeks orientation and more if I need it and also they will place me at a LTC unit until I get used to giving big med passes. The interview went great and they seem like they were willing to train me. I got a tour of the facility and it looks like a small med surge floor. It's only a 30 minute bus ride from my house.

The downside to this was the schedule. They want to hire me full time 7-3:30 pm work 10 days and every other weekend. It's kinda confusing and it's not a standard 12 hour shifts/ 3 days. Another thing was that pay rate is only $24/hr for new grads. The HR asked me how much are other facilities paying. I told her that based on what I know from classmates who are working at rehab facilities they get $28-30/hr. She seemed shocked about it and told me that she will pass it to the company. Another thing is that I get about 20 patients and 30 if one nurse calls out. The DON told me that most patients are stable and that they need supervision and meds and little treatment here and there.

The HR told me to use the place as a stepping stone and that if I want to leave after getting some experience that I can talk to her again about pay rate and that she will negotiate with me. I told her that I don't want to be oriented at a place and work and then jump to another one. I want to work at a place long term. I told her if I could have some time to think about it and I got her number and email. Although she didn't tell me when to call her back and I forgot to ask.

Anyways, what do you guys think?? Should I accept this job?? I have applied to other places about a week ago and this is the place that called me back so far.

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    • Featured Replies

    Should I accept this job?? I have applied to other places about a week ago and this is the place that called me back so far.

    So the choices are this job or no job? ...and you need help deciding?

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    Since you got your license in November, I assume you have been looking for at least since then for a job? If so, take it!

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    • Expert

    Six months is a long time before your first job offer. Accept the job in case you get no other offers in the near future. At least they said they are willing to negotiate in the future. Most employers would say "take it or leave it".

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    • Expert

    As they say, part of something is better than part of nothing...until something better comes along.

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    • Author

    I actually applied just 2 weeks ago as I had a lot that came up after I passed my exam and I had to deal with. Idk. My friends told me to find another as 30 patients is not safe at all. One friend worked at a Subacute and she quit less than 2 months. I don't want to do that. I want to stay at a job long term.

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    • Author

    Another friend is asking me to join him with dialysis and he can get me an interview and job 100%. His words not mine. So that's another option for me. I know I've graduated in a while but life came up so I wasn't able to jump into the wagon asap.

    Also my worries is that 30 patients may be pushing it. I want to provide a safe care and this patient ratio is not safe imo.

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    Another friend is asking me to join him with dialysis and he can get me an interview and job 100%.

    Also my worries is that 30 patients may be pushing it. I want to provide a safe care and this patient ratio is not safe imo.

    I agree with the suggestions of others above - take the job to get experience. After I got my first job, I continued to go on interviews (and took per diem) until I found a job with the best fit. However, I do think 30 is a lot (unless it's the 11-7 shift & like 2 high acuity patients). In my career in LTC, the highest count I had was 25. Depending on the unit, you get to know your patients very well, are able to have discussions with providers & learn about plans of care, and create a system of attack for your shift.

    As for Dialysis... is that a specialty interest of yours? If not, you might be doing yourself a disservice if you were to take your friend up on the offer.

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    • Author

    Yes true 30 is mind blowing maybe that's why they are having a hard time keeping nurses as I was offered the job on the spot.

    Actually dialysis might be interesting of mine as my dad will soon be doing this.

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    • Author

    Just an update guys: I got another interview. It's a little farther but I think the patient ratio is not bad. I asked for a night shift but the HR thinks I'll learn better in Day shift since I'm a new grad. According to people I know who works there, they get 13 patients, it's a 7-7 schedule, $28/h starting pay and 4 weeks of training. However it is a little farther. Probably an hour commute, public transportation wise.

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    • Guides

    I used to be responsible for 38 patients on a long-term care unit (evening shift), so I know it can be done even though I ran for eight hours straight and hardly even had time for a 15-minute lunch. If I were you, I'd take the first job and get some experience, then move on to something better once you've put in a year or so. And commute time does matter...30 minutes on public transportation is hard enough.

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    It sounds like you've just started applying. In that case, give yourself a little time to figure out your best option.

    I drive 50 minutes, all country roads with no traffic. I like it because it gives me time to mentally prepare for work in the morning and detach in the evening. I would take a train in a minute, but tend to get sick on busses. If my commute was even 30 minutes in heavy traffic, I would be miserable.

    Is your last offer subacute? It sounds better to me. I do prefer 8s to 12s though.

    Go on a few more interviews. It sounds like you may have more options.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the reply!! Yes my last offer is a Subacute and the one that I receive an interview is another Subacute rehab/nursing home. I also prefer 8s but the problem is that means I'll be working 4 or 5 days in a week. I would rather to cut my work week short so I can spend time with my family. I did just started applying.

    I haven't applied to others yet but I do have some connections that want me to work with them such as dialysis, ventilator only nursing home, behavioral/psych place.

    I am just wondering.....if you were new which place would you rather go to in terms of what would be a rather fit for a new grad??

    Thank you very much for the continuous replies!! You guys are the best!!

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