Some advice please! (kind of long post...sorry)

Nurses General Nursing

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I just passed the NCLEX-PN on September 19th and after nearly a month of job searching I finally found a LTC facility that is interested. The facilitiy is about 40 miles away from my home which isn't very good because of the gas prices but when the DON called yesterday asking me to interview, I decided to drive down and give it a try.

When I got to the facility I have to admit that I was a little taken aback. There were residents wandering everywhere without anyone paying too much attention and the office manager was on the floor passing medications and doing treatments because there was a lack of staff. Allegedly it is only today that there is a lack of staff.

Anyway, I did the interview. The DON seemed overly enthuiastic about offering me the job. I filled out paperwork for a background check and peed for a drug test before the interview was even finished. She told me that she had been advertising the positon in the newspaper and on the internet for months and I was the only person to answer the advertisment. I asked her about the turnover rate and she said that an activities director and RN had been there for about fifteen to twenty years but she didn't give me specifics on the others. She showed me the schedule and at least three names (nurses) had been taped across because they would be leaving soon or had already quit. Another nurse has been on a federal jury for 23 months and can't work many hours. The shift is 11pm-7am shared with another LPN. The pay is $17.00 an hour and I would be responsible for 40-43 residents per night. The facility houses 83.

I am desperate for a job but I don't know if this is the right fit for me. I believe that the patient to nurse ratio is high and I am getting weird vibes from the way everything went down. It seemed rather Stepford with everyone smiling at me and egging me on but I have this crazy feeling that it's a lot going on underneath that no one is alluding too. Maybe there is a reason the advertisment went unanswered. I don't want to risk my license but then again maybe I am I reading too much into it? Does anyone have any advice.

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DON'T DO IT!

Listen to your gut. The work you did to become a nurse is worth more than this. You will find a job. Hold out for a good job that will treat you right. Otherwise you will be miserable, hate your life, hate nursing, and in a few months be right back where you started.

I repeat: DON'T DO IT!

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Follow your gut.

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I know most nurses walk out of school and expect job offers to fall in their laps, but most hiring experts will tell you it can take 6 months to find a job that is a good fit for both you and the employer.

If you're really desperate for money perhaps you could take this job part time, leaving you time to continue looking for a job that you will really like.

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Specializes in ER.

Responsible for 40-43 residents per night? That sounds like a lot!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Trust your gut and keep looking until you find something that is right for you.

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Specializes in Hospital, med-surg, hospice.

Don't settle for this job, it sounds like a nightmare! Apply for every nursing job in your area, send out your resume, make follow-up phone calls, talk with nurses at clinics, hospitals, schools, nursing homes (visit good ones) make them feel that YOU will be an asset to their institution!

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That is not alot of residents for LTC. Some will have up to 60 or so. That is too many for me!

I would say listen to your gut.

If you are interested in doing LTC, check the survey results. They should have them online and posted in the facility (normally in the lobby) This should give you an idea of what type of faclility it is...still sounds kinda shady that they wouldn't tell you about staffing.

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....office manager was on the floor passing medications and doing treatments

:eek::eek:.. I certainly hope the office manager was legally qualified to pass medication and do treatments.

I would avoid the place totally!

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.
i just passed the nclex-pn on september 19th and after nearly a month of job searching i finally found a ltc facility that is interested. the facilitiy is about 40 miles away from my home which isn't very good because of the gas prices but when the don called yesterday asking me to interview, i decided to drive down and give it a try.

when i got to the facility i have to admit that i was a little taken aback. there were residents wandering everywhere without anyone paying too much attention and the office manager was on the floor passing medications and doing treatments because there was a lack of staff. allegedly it is only today that there is a lack of staff.

anyway, i did the interview. the don seemed overly enthuiastic about offering me the job. i filled out paperwork for a background check and peed for a drug test before the interview was even finished. she told me that she had been advertising the positon in the newspaper and on the internet for months and i was the only person to answer the advertisment. i asked her about the turnover rate and she said that an activities director and rn had been there for about fifteen to twenty years but she didn't give me specifics on the others. she showed me the schedule and at least three names (nurses) had been taped across because they would be leaving soon or had already quit. another nurse has been on a federal jury for 23 months and can't work many hours. the shift is 11pm-7am shared with another lpn. the pay is $17.00 an hour and i would be responsible for 40-43 residents per night. the facility houses 83.

i am desperate for a job but i don't know if this is the right fit for me. i believe that the patient to nurse ratio is high and i am getting weird vibes from the way everything went down. it seemed rather stepford with everyone smiling at me and egging me on but i have this crazy feeling that it's a lot going on underneath that no one is alluding too. maybe there is a reason the advertisment went unanswered. i don't want to risk my license but then again maybe i am i reading too much into it? does anyone have any advice.

:eek:if i could find a red flag i'd be waving it! go with your gut!!!! do not take the job. protect your license. i would not do it for any amount. no matter how much you need a job, this one is not worth it.

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Specializes in Tele, and now ICU !!.

WOW....Cant tell ya how to go...but please please follow your gut. I for sure wouldnt risk my self/lisence here!!! :down::down::down::down::down::down::down:

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Specializes in psych,maternity, ltc, clinic.

Can't really add anything....DONT TAKE IT!!! Doesnt pass the smell test. Keep looking.

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