Would YOU accept this position?

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I was recently offered my first position as an RN in a LTC/SNF in northeast FL. I completed orientation and was scheduled for nights (7p-7a). The thing is, when I looked at the schedule, I noticed that I am the only RN with 3 LPNs and several CNAs. I tried to ask the ADON who would be in charge in that situation and all she told me is that the company expects all of their RNs to oversee everything and that if there were a code I would have to run it... I've never even been in one! I asked her a couple more times in different ways thinking maybe I wasn't very clear in what I was asking and she seemed to be dodging my question. My intuition is telling me this is a potentially unsafe situation (there are 100 residents and I would be the only RN in the building). I'm going to call again today and have a conversation with the ADON and try to get some straight answers. I'm scheduled for Saturday, but I really don't want to put myself in a situation that jeopardizes any residents/employees or my license.

I just wanted to see what others thought about this situation. I tried to ask the ADON who would be liable if anything went wrong (legally, I am sure it would be me), but again, she dodged me (at least it seemed like it). The pay is great for starting, but when I was hired I honestly felt that the reason I got hired is b/c I have a pulse and a license. There was NO competition for the job at all (which is FAR from the norm in my area)... I'll update later after I've spoken to her again, but I would like to hear other people's thoughts on this.

No I would not take that job. I feel like I need another RN there for when questions pop up, as a resource person. I am in no way shape or form ready to work alone overnights with people under me. And if you run into trouble you have to wake someone up. NO WAY would I be comfortable with that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the above poster that said "run". I also do not believe that they are being honest with you. You will be in a charge position, and held responsible as the only RN in the building. I work in LTC, and the RN in my building that is named supervisor (or charge) also has her own patient load of 25-30 patients. I personally think that is way too much for anyone!! She supervises at least four LPN's as well as CNA's. 150 bed facility. I would really reconsider this offer, they are asking a whole lot of you as a new grad. Good luck in whatever you decide is right to do for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

my answer is NO.

I'm a new grad RN recently i took a CHARGE NURSE position at an acute psychiatric facility dealing with suicidal psychotic, agitation, manic people. ratio is 20 to 1 RN. i am the charge nurse, in charge of all the stuff that goes on.. codes.. calling dr. pharmacy... the whole shabang. answering phone calls nonstop like a receptionist.

everyday as a charge nurse, i felt like an overwhelming amount of responsibility that wont go away. and i feel as if any moment someone commits suicide or attempts to, i am in charge of it all... and what... i'm a new grad how the heck can i handle all this, ive never even been in a code!!!

everyone told me not to take it. my job had 20 recent firing of RNs for mistakes.. ouch sounds like a bad idea stepping into this. yea its bad. its been 2 months now, and its a sink or swim ordeal. i watch as the staff quit once every week.. let alone 2 managers quit also... fast forward 2 months, i got into a new grad residency at one of the top magnet hospitals.. so i'm quitting.. looking back, all of it wasnt worth it. because the new grad job i have now has nothing to do with my experience. i regret going to work everyday, and everyday is like risking my mint conditioned license..you gotta know that the responsibility is so huge. and SUPERVISORS DOGGING QUESTIONS IS A BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD SIGN!!!!

When i told my DON i wasn't ready to be on my own yet, she ignored me and said "you'll do fine dont worry!" dont worry my butt.. its my license not hers!

my point is, if you cant see yourself doing this for a year, why commit, and worry about going to work everyday. i would find money otherwise, and look hard and fast for other new grad jobs. i learned that any job that doesnt have competition and hires you too quick or seems kinda desperate for people= BAD SIGN.

ur gut is right.. run..

good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
my answer is NO.

..you gotta know that the responsibility is so huge. and SUPERVISORS DOGGING QUESTIONS IS A BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD SIGN!!!!

When i told my DON i wasn't ready to be on my own yet, she ignored me and said "you'll do fine dont worry!" dont worry my butt.. its my license not hers!

i learned that any job that doesnt have competition and hires you too quick or seems kinda desperate for people= BAD SIGN.

ur gut is right.. run..

good luck

Well Said!! It is quite troubling to see supervisors and DON's misleading new grads...:confused: I guess being desperate for staff, they do what they need to, to get new blood in the doors. Sad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all of you for putting your two cents in! I considered every statement that was made.

I called the DON and told her my concerns. She told me not to go in on Saturday or Sunday and to meet with her Monday (today) morning. I went in fully expecting a conversation. I was open-minded and ready to hear what she had to say... When I went in to her office, she handed me a job description and told me to take it home, read it and if I felt like I could "handle it" to call her. I told her I had some questions and she cut me off and repeated that I needed to take it home, read it and call her with my decision. I should have said no right then, but my DH just retired from the Navy and our income has been cut in half and our savings is nearly gone, so I felt that I needed to be as open-minded as possible. I agreed to take the PD home and read it.

Half an hour after I left, I got a call from the ADON saying that I had caused an "inconvenience" over the weekend (which I had already apologized for) and that she didn't feel I was a good fit for the company. I told her I thought she was right. I was ELATED! ALL the stress of the past several days was completely lifted off of me! I have NO idea how we are going to do this with no money, but I know we will find a way... and one that is legit!!!

I would have appreciated them being up front with me, but in the end, the fault is mine for not trusting my instincts to begin with. This will not go on my "record" because I never worked on the floor, so I kind of see this as a fresh start.

There aren't many positions in my area that new grads/licensees are qualified for in my area, but I do have some apps out there and I am going to physically go to one of the hospitals I've applied to tomorrow and hope something comes of it.

I never dreamed I would be so happy to be unemployed, but I am. I want to thank all of you again! Your unfortunate experiences were not wasted!!! They helped me AND you all DID learn from them... even if you simply learned that LTC isn't for you, it is STILL valuable!!

Thank you again!!! :0)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Take the job and learn as you go. It is a lot of weight on your shoulders, but its a snf. Don't worry about someone coding as some others have told you. Call 911 and do CPR. Your job as the RN will be to supervise everyone and decide if you need to call a MD or Send someone to the ER. You can do it....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health.
RUN!!!

If you are the only RN over seeing 3 LPNs and they say you are not the one liable for the decisions you make they are not being honest with you. If you are uncomfortable with the situation then turn it down.

The only way these places will change is if people start telling them no.

The bottom line is you are the charge nurse of the shift. You will be liable for the actions of EVERYBODY in your charge. Get used to that, it is part of the job you have chosen as a career and almost all RNs are going to be in charge at some point.

But if you are not comfortable with it right now you need to find another job that gives you more time to grow into your RN role.

You are aware that LPN's are nurses, right?

A RN is NOT responsible for the actions of an LPN. The LPN works under his or her own license. It seems like you are confusing LPN's with CNA's-I suggest you read your nurse practice act ;)

The LPN's that the OP mistakenly believes she is in "charge" of have probobly been there for years and will likely be an invaluable asset to her in showing her the ropes and helping her grow into her RN role.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

This is pretty common in LTC, does your facility has an on-call admin? We have one everyday and all of our RN utilizes it as a reference if something goes wrong and you don't know what to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's so frustrating when an employer willfully hires clearly underprepared newbies for certain positions and throws them out there to sink or swim! Sure, if the newbie manages to flounder well enough, has some good luck and some natural talent they will probably manage okay. And after some months, will perform on par with others. But during those first couple of months, it's a pretty big leap for an inexperienced newbie to be the only RN in house. If it doesn't go well, those same hiring employers who assured the newbie "no problem! you'll do fine!" would be pointing the finger back at the newbie saying "it was your responsibility to determine if this job was too much for you!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I'm an LPN in a LTC facility with 2 other nurses at night one is an RN the other and LPN. we dont have a "charge" nurse at night. theres no need. your residents are asleep, your cna's (if they do their job) stay busy doing their own thing. Even if i am with the RN she is never responsible for any decision i make. i mean, who is she gonna charge....me alone? i dont think so. LTC facilites lend themselves to independent nurses especially at night!

And if you are a new grad i would recommend getting your ACLS certification. i took it and it was worth EVERY CENT. but the others are right...you dont have access to meds or monitors or anything like that but itll prepare you and make you more comfortable about calling a code and giving report to EMS or the doc. (also, half of the residents, in my facility anyway, are DNR so no knowledge of ACLS necessary)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

and not to be ugly but the only difference between you as an RN and me as an LPN is some management classes. so technically it is your responsibility to manage those under you (which is us LPN's). so you may not have the experience to be a charge nurse but you should have the training (and the confidence) to do your job. I mean I shadowed for ONE NIGHT. the next night I was 100% on my own. less than a week after getting my license. and thank goodness for it. youll never learn what you need to by following someone around!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
and not to be ugly but the only difference between you as an RN and me as an LPN is some management classes.

*** Not to hijack the discussion but speaking as a nurse who did LPN to RN after years as an LPN your above statement is not the case. There is far more to it than "some managment classes".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment