Snagged My First Nursing Job!!

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia/Alzheimer's.

hello everybody!

okay, so, i got my first job the same day i graduated!! (two days ago) i got a second job the day after, but that's a whole other story!

my first job is at a nursing home. it pays pretty decent ($17.00/hr) for a brand spankin' new grad. i am so totally excited that i have a job! i was running out of money fast and putting applications in everywhere, but getting no calls back! :eek:

my official title will be [charge nurse]. i'll be working the evening shift (230-1030) and be in charge of 1 unit (30 pts). there'll be 10 cna's working under me. and i believe, 2 med techs. so, basically... i'll be doing: accuchecks, insulins, heparin/coumadin, assessments for the folks on medicare, dressing changes, foleys, ivs, etc.

... i am sooo freaking out. i'm excited and desperately need a job, buuut i'm worried about having so much responsibility so soon! there'll be orientation and everything, but still.. 30 patients and 12 employees?!

i'm comfortable with the basic duties i listed above.. i'm nervous about knowing when to call an ambulance.. and i'm worried about the cna's walking all over me. :cry:

does everyone feel this way about their first job? or am i right to be a little nervous..?

klm :loveya:

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Specializes in Neurosciences.

I am happy for you! Way to go!

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia/Alzheimer's.

Hehe.

:tku:

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:ancong!:

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, ED.

Congrats! I just graduated a few days ago and was offered a job the day before graduation. I am nervous and excited!! I just hate that I have the ONE LAST HURDLE (NCLEX) before I can get too excited!! :)

Best of luck to you! GO US (new grads)! We survived!

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Congrats!

I'm sure you will be fine once you get the hang of it. It is normal to be nervous, once you get the hang of it you'll love it and it will be a breeze for you!

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congrats on the job! :up: but charge nurse? that would be a little too much for me being a new grad, and it being my first job as an rn. if anything wrong happens, it'll fall back on you. and you not having the experience to know what to do when difficult situations arise is scary. you would be the "go-to" person. if i were you, i would discuss these concerns with the person doing the hiring, and possibly just start off as a "staff nurse" rather than "charge nurse."

that's too many responsibilities too soon. being a new nurse is already difficult enough without having the title charge nurse added on. yanno?? just my two cents! :twocents:

good luck in whatever you decide to do!

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia/Alzheimer's.

Ty. That's what I was thinkin'. I'll talk to the ADON about it.

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congratulations! i understand how you feel...today, after two interviews i was offered the same position you described, where i live. i'm on the west coast and the job pays $30.00/hour. my concern is that the company seems to be having difficult financial times and there are jobs located more towards the city that pay $40.00/hour and up. i'm a new grad, i just graduated a few days ago. the people at the facility seem very nice and i'm thrilled that i was offered the job. but they want a year commitment and i have this concern about the money and their financial stability. i also really like critical care and i'm hoping to find a position in a hospital. i don't know whether to take the position and be grateful during this economy or try and hold out for a job i'm more comfortable with. any advice would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

You will get loads of experience. Hard, Tough experience with that ratio and patient population. Will you have a preceptor? I hope so. Nonetheless, after a couple of months there, if you are not broken, you will be an amazing nurse.

I must add ... $19/hr? This is an awful salary. You are worth more!

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

RNwendy -

Don't get overly stressed about the overall economic crisis. Though it is true that health care is not entirely insulated from market forces and the current deep recession, it will not suffer to the extent that other sectors will. It never will.

People will always get sick. This is a constant. On top of this there continues to be an overall shortage of RN's that will, like the economy, get worse before it gets better. There will continue to be a need, a demand for nurses.

This is all to say, don't make you decision based on a false notion that you must be grateful and grab onto any job that comes your way. True many facilities are in a holding pattern, trying to cope and manage with a shortage of RN's. Soon enough, they must open their doors to new hires else they will be regarded as unsafe facilities and will suffer, not only in reputation but accreditation.

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Botto thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I need to give them an answer tomorrow. I'm going to tell them no thank you and continue to look for something I feel more comfortable with. I appreciate your input. Thanks again!!!

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