Who hires RNs is LTC?

[kaliRN]

I am a new grad planning to start searching local care facilities for openings. My first thoughts are to call and ask about available positions and fax my resume. I called one facility and heard the question mark in the receptionist's voice when I asked for Human Resources.

I am unfamiliar with the structure and the typical roles in this environment. This facility routed me to the MDS coordinator, I am sure others may send me along to the DON or ADON? I do not want to appear completely asinine when searching for jobs, it would also help to know the most likely person who will interview me.

Any thoughts or advice? I am first ensuring they do not have a job website and online application process in place (some do). I am also considering most of these positions might be receptive to a "drop-in" application, since I saw this in another thread. Could I come in, dressed professionally, resume in hand and be willing to fill out an application. Should I call first?

I am in southern California - if that makes a difference. Appreciate your advice.

[grateful2010, LPN, LVN]

I asked a similar question a few days ago. When it comes to contacting a facility, I'm clueless as to what department to ask for. For the most part you would want to be directed to the Nursing department, since they handle most of the hiring of Nurses and have immediate information on job openings. I might be wrong though, but every time I've asked for "the human resource department for nursing" lol they seems sooo confused. They reply is usually "would you like me to transfer you to someone in Nursing?"

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Just ask for the person who hires the nurses.

[vegetable8]

Just ask for the person who hires the nurses.

like it! short but direct to the point!

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

Just ask for the person who hires the nurses.

Yea, that!

[kaliRN]

Thanks all, I really appreciate your feedback. I just wanted to be sure there was a standard here that I was unaware of. In acute care, if I asked for "the person who hires nurses," I would probably be met with a chuckle as they routed me to HR or a nurse recruiter.

Seems like, as with many things in LTC, the number of hats one person wears is exponentially greater than in acute care. Just didn't want to start the conversation off with a potential employer sounding like a fool!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I've been working in nursing homes and LTC facilities for more than four years. In the area where I live, you simply walk in and ask for an application. If you complete the application while still at the facility, you might be lucky enough to receive an interview on the spot. It is usually a DON or ADON who interviews prospective employees because nursing homes generally do not have the budget for HR departments or nursing recruiters.

If no one wants to grant you an on-the-spot interview, I would follow up with a phone call in one week and perhaps send a 'Thank You' card just to get your name noticed.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Every facility has a different way of doing things. Some use recruiters, some rely on ads in the local paper or Craigslist. Most don't have HR departments. For staff nurse positions, we haven't had to advertise. On average I get 4 or 5 applications a week from licensed people...double that for CNAs. Apparently they didn't get the message that many places aren't hiring.

I have the final say for any licensed position (I'm the DNS). I don't often have time to interview a walk in applicant. I get the 'run down' from the receptionist about anyone who is filling out an application. She'll tell me if they were polite when they came in; if they were dressed professionally, if they took an hour to fill out the application (!), if they don't speak English well. If I have an opening, I'll review all the applications and arrange and interview with the ones that best fit the needs of the facility. I always take the person on a tour of the facility. If they flinch when a resident comes near them, it's a good bet they won't be working in this field for long.

Many places won't let you leave with an application. We need to know YOU read and write well enough to fill it out. Always dress in a professional manner when you go into the facility. You never know who might be there to get a first impression. And don't forget to bring your nursing license, your social security card, and your driver's license. If you are lucky enough to get interviewed on the spot, you should be able to show that you are, indeed, eligible to be hired.

Good luck...persistence will pay off.

[kaliRN]

It's really kind of you all to take the time to respond.

I appreciate your insight from a managerial perspective CapeCodMermaid. In my previous career, I would often spend time on the floor when we were hiring and could not believe how some people would present when asking for job applications. Forget cruddy crumpled clothing, shorts that look like underwear, and t-shirts with offensive language ... Many people had small upset children, partners with groping immodest hands at their side, and the lack of manners - for shame. I was a young woman and probably looked even younger most days, so I imagine it was assumed I was staff. We had "filled" the positions in all these cases. In some cases, especially with younger, polite applicants, I accepted their applications and offered them very similar advice to what you have listed here. Professionalism occasionally gets misplaced in service industries.

As an aside, I have been asked to fill out some applications that do indeed take an hour to fill out. Usually involving skills, knowledge, and/or personality tests. I wonder if the applicants that take this amount of time with your facility's application would simply leave if presented with this type of application.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Our application is very basic. Anyone who can read and write English should be able to complete it in less than 15 minutes. I know what you mean...I've had people show up at an interview with screaming kids, a demented grandmother, a drunk boyfriend...then they call and wonder why they weren't hired!