1st job at SNF/Rehab and must buy my own BP monitor??

[heartsgal, ADN, RN]

After 5 months of applying to every and all jobs and facilities since passing my NCLEX, I was hired yesterday at a small Rehab and skilled nursing facility. While I wasn't psyched for the interview since I have been told many times, it is not considered nursing experience and won't get into me the hospital (where I want to work). However, the DON who interviewed me began telling me I would get great med-surg experience there, since they have many types of peripheral lines such as EJ's and patients that are higher acuity than other so called nursing home type facilities and even have a pulmonary unit with chest tubes etc. I was pleased to hear this because I enjoy working with the elderly client and look forward to learning and building my knowledge base a nurse, to hopefully work towards getting a position in the SICU, IMU or ICU at the hospital. Then a classmate who is also working there informed me that I need to buy my own digital BP monitor, Pulse OX and Thermometer I was stunned by this and told her I feel this is highly inappropriate for me to be expected to supply my own in a facility setting. She said she felt the same way at first and I can use the manual ones if I want to, but the RN's have so many patients there simply isn't time to use those, so all the RN's buy their own to use. I felt as though I had perhaps made a mistake accepting this position, but I need the experience and have no other offers. I need to work here a minimum of 6 months or so to get a position with even another rehab hospital, because the market is so saturated with RN's here and I only have my ADN right now. Has anyone else heard of this practice? I am an older new grad with a working spouse and fortunate enough that I can afford to purchase these items, but I want to make sure this is ethical.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

This is not uncommon in LTC. I don't see how this is unethical because the facility is not denying you what you need -- a working BP cuff of some sort. Your former classmate is merely making a suggestion for what would be convenient. I myself brought my own wrist BP cuff, temporal artery thermometer, and pulse ox when I worked in LTC. The facility provided manual BP cuffs, standard digital thermometers, and a pulse ox for each med cart, but it was far more convenient and efficient for me to bring my own since a digital BP cuff, a temporal thermometer, and better pulse ox were faster than what the facility provided.

[heartsgal, ADN, RN]

This is not uncommon in LTC. I don't see how this is unethical because the facility is not denying you what you need -- a working BP cuff of some sort. Your former classmate is merely making a suggestion for what would be convenient. I myself brought my own wrist BP cuff temporal artery thermometer, and pulse ox when I worked in LTC. The facility provided manual BP cuffs, standard digital thermometers, and a pulse ox for each med cart, but it was far more convenient and efficient for me to bring my own since a digital BP cuff, a temporal thermometer, and better pulse ox were faster than what the facility provided.[/quote']

Thanks Squishy, that actually makes me feel better since that is exactly what she said I needed too. I trust her judgement implicitly, but I was unsure if this was the norm or not since I've never heard of it.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I'm not very familiar with LTC but how does this BYOD (bring your own device) process meet the organization's requirement to ensure that all this equipment is calibrated and working appropriately??? How do you calibrate? Do you each have to maintain a log book? There are some pretty significant legal ramifications - especially if you have to initiate an intervention based on readings from your own private equipment.

For heaven's sake, make sure the facility has you covered with a BYOD policy or you could be hung out to dry if there is any sort of problem.

[Jmira.BSN.RN]

I would accept the position. And since you CAN afford the supplies, get them since they will make your life easier. Any RN position is a good RN position for new grads.

[Nola009]

I agree that it sounds weird that nurses need to bring that equiptment to work. Some places don't even allow the use of outside machines bc they might not give accurate readings. One of my former classmates, a seasoned LPN recommended that I buy those things and use them in LTC just to save time looking for one of the facility's and now I see her point. You can get those things for around $20 each on amazon btw:)