Skilled Nursing & Rehab facility good career choice?

WheatGerm · Jul 13, 2016

Now take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I don't have much experience in this field, just what instructors/other nurses have told me.

First, do you think you'd be okay as a charge nurse? Not being rude, I just know that as a new grad I'd be a little intimidated by the experience. If you think you'll be okay, that's great, it just wouldn't be worth the stress if you don't think you could handle charge.

Second, I can't imagine that going into med surg would be super difficult after you have your BSN and experience in any area dealing with adult medicine. This sounds like a great option to get your BSN.

One last question - you say that you want to "get med surg over with"....what do you want to do eventually?

NursingNichole · Jul 14, 2016

OK great ! thank you so much I starting to feel a smidge discouraged especially since all my friends are getting hired at hospitals (not the ones they want) but a hospital none the less. Yeah, I think I'd be ok as charge nurse. I shadowed one of the nurses before accepting the position and it didn't seem bad at all. Eventually I want to be a traveling nurse that is my ultimate goal

WheatGerm · Jul 14, 2016

OK great ! thank you so much I starting to feel a smidge discouraged especially since all my friends are getting hired at hospitals (not the ones they want) but a hospital none the less. Yeah, I think I'd be ok as charge nurse. I shadowed one of the nurses before accepting the position and it didn't seem bad at all. Eventually I want to be a traveling nurse that is my ultimate goal

I guess maybe just brush up your resume/cover letter if you aren't getting the results you want. At the end of the day, there are only so many jobs to be filled. I know some students who did great in school and are also struggling to find a job. Honestly I don't think having an ADN helps...so getting your BSN will certainly be a good route to take.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

I started my nursing career in a skilled nursing/rehab facility (SNF). It was not a poor decision because all of my cumulative experiences resulted in the nice, flexible position that I currently have today.

NotYourMamasRN · Jul 15, 2016

In every SNF I have worked, charge nurse was the term for floor RN. There was one RN, one med aide on days, and 3-ish aides for 30-40 patients. So you are learning to delegate to some extent but this is not a traditional hospital charge position, that requires a lot of experience to be done properly. Also, in SNF they will hire new grads as managers, now that is dangerous practice and I have seen it burn a few new nurses. I personally did not enjoy SNF but many people do. Personal choice really.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2016

I personally did not enjoy SNF but many people do.

I never particularly enjoyed SNF, either. I found it stressful at times. However, we cannot deny that SNF/rehab is full of excellent learning opportunities that can provide a springboard to the rest of one's nursing career.

Alejandra.MtzRNBSN · Jul 20, 2016

I recently graduated with my BSN, I did the LVN-BSN program. I had been an LVN for 4 years, worked long term/rehab and i actually fell in love with it! it is very stressful at times because of the number of patients assigned to each nurse but very rewarding. Now that I have my BSN I still want to continue to work in long term/rehab nursing and obtain my CRRN in the future. i feel like long term is a great way to start, you will get a lot of experience and will get to practice many skills, the most important thing is that you will be a pro at time management