Can someone please tell me where all the nurses who are looking for jobs are?
I have at least 4 full time and 2 part time openings and I haven't had one good candidate apply. I've had people who lie on their application, people who will only work first shift and are amazed that they'll have to work on every other weekend...where are all the nurses? We pay better than the other facilities around and just had a perfect survey.
Most new grads feel the NEED a hospital job, I think that's part of it. I know my facility just hired a bunch of new nurses, but prior to this last batch, they had a run of those who couldn't pass the drug screen or the background turned up scary things. I shudder to think that those nurses may get hired somewhere eventually
That is what everyone tells new grads.
Many old professors have told me that if you do not work med surg and end up in Ltc that you are doomed there for the rest of your career.
Also,many said ltc makes you "lazy" because you are not using critical thinking skills.
The local nursing homes in my area came to our school and passed out business cards to the students.
Of course, hiring a slew of new grads all at once is a good way to wind up with dead residents.
Another way to create a relatively steady supply of nurses is to offer tuition assitance to the CNAs for obtaining their LPN or RN. It can be a wise investment in the long run.
I have to agree you sound like a wonderful DON and I would love to work for one such as you. My facility is the same were are the nurses? I can tell you I am staying home with my young children my husband has a wonderful job. But go to work about two days a month. Wish it were more often but my question is where are all the reliable child care workers. Welcome to rural west virginia.
The local nursing homes in my area came to our school and passed out business cards to the students.
Of course, hiring a slew of new grads all at once is a good way to wind up with dead residents.
Another way to create a relatively steady supply of nurses is to offer tuition assitance to the CNAs for obtaining their LPN or RN. It can be a wise investment in the long run.
A good friend of mine did this. She started as a CNA and worked through her LPN and now her RN. She is obligated to work for them 2 more years, but she has no plans to leave. She feels very loyal to them as they have worked around her school schedules over the years and provided the financial support she needed to further her education.
HA! LTC use critical thinking skills more than many "floor" nurses. There IS no Dr napping in the lounge to call anytime you feel the need. There are no gaggle of nurses bipping around the halls or charting at the nurses station to bounce thoughts off of. There's no RT or lab standing by to do their thing if you need them to. Your LTC nurses can be some of the best assessors known to man. Anyone who wants to talk crap about those who choose to work in LTC are just rude bullies who haven't got a clue. IMO, of course =)
That is what everyone tells new grads.
Many old professors have told me that if you do not work med surg and end up in Ltc that you are doomed there for the rest of your career.
Also,many said ltc makes you "lazy" because you are not using critical thinking skills.
HA! LTC use critical thinking skills more than many "floor" nurses. There IS no Dr napping in the lounge to call anytime you feel the need. There are no gaggle of nurses bipping around the halls or charting at the nurses station to bounce thoughts off of. There's no RT or lab standing by to do their thing if you need them to. Your LTC nurses can be some of the best assessors known to man. Anyone who wants to talk crap about those who choose to work in LTC are just rude bullies who haven't got a clue. IMO, of course =)
Many nurses on Allnurses seem to believe that Ltc nurses lose their skills too.
Many seem to think we just pass out oral meds all day.
I was kind of shocked when a med surg nurse did not know how to suction a trach.
Specializes in Psych, Case Management, Care Coordination.
Too bad I am still in school and also not wherever you are located...I am willing to work nights (I prefer nights)and weekends (As a matter of fact, I'd rather work all my hours on the weekends...2 doubles!) and I nearly never call off. I have a strong work ethic.
Can someone please tell me where all the nurses who are looking for jobs are?
I have at least 4 full time and 2 part time openings and I haven't had one good candidate apply. I've had people who lie on their application, people who will only work first shift and are amazed that they'll have to work on every other weekend...where are all the nurses? We pay better than the other facilities around and just had a perfect survey.
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Nola...I designed the orientation myself. I think it's part of my job to assure my new nurses, especially the new grads, have a positive experience. We don't give 3 days and send them off on their own. Most of the new grads have orientations that last at least 6 weeks. They learn the med pass first, then we add on the treatments...they are never alone while they are learning. They then spend time with the desk nurse so they learn the procedures for writing orders, ordering labs...and that is never done on the busy sub-acute unit even if they are eventually going to work there. It's too frantic an environment for someone new to long term care to try to absorb everything.
They then get an orientation on the shift they'll be working. Either the SDC, the ADON, or I check in with them almost daily to make sure they are getting what they need. So yes, I'm SURE the orientation is good.
I've called around to other facilities...our pay is more than most are offering. Our benefit package is better, and we are better staffed.
Nola...I designed the orientation myself. I think it's part of my job to assure my new nurses, especially the new grads, have a positive experience. We don't give 3 days and send them off on their own. Most of the new grads have orientations that last at least 6 weeks. They learn the med pass first, then we add on the treatments...they are never alone while they are learning. They then spend time with the desk nurse so they learn the procedures for writing orders, ordering labs...and that is never done on the busy sub-acute unit even if they are eventually going to work there. It's too frantic an environment for someone new to long term care to try to absorb everything.
They then get an orientation on the shift they'll be working. Either the SDC, the ADON, or I check in with them almost daily to make sure they are getting what they need. So yes, I'm SURE the orientation is good.
I've called around to other facilities...our pay is more than most are offering. Our benefit package is better, and we are better staffed.
I only wish I lived closer to The MA border! I have a friend who lives in northern CT who was just hired in Massachusetts. A friend interviewed for and accepted a position in LTC in town, and was given a 3 day orientation. Perhaps I'm naive, but how can that possibly be safe for a brand new grad? I don't feel comfortable with it, which has made me somewhat concerned about applying to LTC.
smartnurse1982
1,775 Posts
That is what everyone tells new grads.
Many old professors have told me that if you do not work med surg and end up in Ltc that you are doomed there for the rest of your career.
Also,many said ltc makes you "lazy" because you are not using critical thinking skills.