Boom or bust?

I don't know how the job vailabilty in Gerogia is, but in Florida I have been looking for a job for 4 years with no luck. I have an MBA, I have 17 years of experience working in long-term care as a therapist and as a rehab manager, but so far that's not enough. Maybe I know too much about what really goes on in nursing homes and companies are afraid to hire me, they rather hire and mold a fresh new grad who knows nothing about this business.

Is it the same difficulty if one gets a Assisted Living Administrators License? I figure if you get both then maybe there will be a much greater chance in landing something quickly.

jrlevymba@hotmail.com in Duluth, Georgia said: Is it the same difficulty if one gets a Assisted Living Administrators License? I figure if you get both then maybe there will be a much greater chance in landing something quickly.

Those of us currently licensed as nursing home administrators in FL are already exempt from ALF CORE training so it's not going to give you an edge. Read last sentence of selection from Florida Administrative Code.

58A-5.0191 Staff Training Requirements and Competency Test.
(1) ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY CORE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND COMPETENCY TEST.
(a) The assisted living facility core training requirements established by the department pursuant to Section 429.52, F.S., shall consist of a minimum of 26 hours of training plus a competency test.
(b) Administrators and managers must successfully complete the assisted living facility core training
Chapter 58A-5 Assisted Living Facilities
April 2010
Page 25
requirements within 3 months from the date of becoming a facility administrator or manager. Successful completion of the core training requirements includes passing the competency test. The minimum passing score for the competency test is 75%. Administrators who have attended core training prior to July 1, 1997, and managers who attended the core training program prior to April 20, 1998, shall not be required to take the competency test. Administrators licensed as nursing home administrators in accordance with Part II of Chapter 468, F.S., are exempt from this requirement.

I was licensed in Jan/2011 as a LHNA and I have not yet to find a job...I am located in Iowa. I did practium and all the NHA are no longer there at the facility were I did my practium. So I can't get a reference; and no one will let me know where they went. I have applied for Assisted Living Director/Managers also. Still no such luck and I am out of money. What to do?

Good luck I have my license now for 4 years and working in LTC for 11+ with no luck. It is difficult. No one wants to take a chance on new NHAs.

I am currently working in the LTC field. I have been for 11 years. I have two masters degrees and my NHA license but for some reason I cannot catch a break. I have been looking for an NHA job for roughly 4 years now with no luck . Are there any jobs available in the Northeastern PA region? Highly motivated and dedicated worker.

Unfortunately, most nursing homes are owned by big corporations and they want seasoned administrators who would bring the highest profits to the company, and that is the bottom line, profits. Those companies want "yes" people to do whatever they are asked to do without questioning the company, so they don't want new administrators with fresh ideas and ethics. I have not encountered yet a company that really makes a difference in long-term care, they are all pretty much the same with a different name.

Bill Duncan in Tallahassee, Florida said: It's more on how you get your foot in the door. I'm a recruiter and you have to realize that most organizations are dealing many appliants with means you are typically going through a HR person who's reveiwing applicants to see if they are meeting the minimum qualifications that they have been presented with. Many times an employer will ask for the moon which they will never get. The best way is to try to get to the hiring authority. If you need help we can help you. Thanks

I am seeking information regarding the AIT program. Are there companies in the NC area that pay for this training? I hold a Bachelors in Business Admin. Currently in the masters programs for HSA with eleven years in the health care field. What would be the best pathwath for me in becoming a NHA? Thanks for any advice.

Bill Duncan in Tallahassee, Florida said: It's more on how you get your foot in the door. I'm a recruiter and you have to realize that most organizations are dealing many appliants with means you are typically going through a HR person who's reveiwing applicants to see if they are meeting the minimum qualifications that they have been presented with. Many times an employer will ask for the moon which they will never get. The best way is to try to get to the hiring authority. If you need help we can help you. Thanks

Well I am still looking. Want my resume then email me.

Synergy9 in Hebron, Ohio said: Unfortunately, I have come to the same conclusion. After working as an administrator and regional director for 24 years it appears that my experience is secondary to many employers as they seek younger and cheaper administrators to do exactly as they ask. The days of having some autonomy in this complex industry are over and I have decided to look into other opportunities outside of long term care. The realization is that after many years of dedication and hard work in this industry starting over is quite a challenge!

Good luck

see my response

leroy in West Chester, Ohio said: If you're having trouble getting a job, remember, use any and all contacts from your work life, your school, your spouse's contacts, etc. I got my license in March and a had a job in May. My spouse mentioned my degree and LNHA to someone at work who knew the DON at a facility who ended up referring me.....A little maturity can't hurt either, I'm definitely over 40...

Leroy:

I'm considering changing careers to become a LNHA and I'm a little over 40. How did maturity help?

Tammy in Sumter, South Carolina said: Do not worry. I have an associates degree in nursing. I have 12 yrs experience in LTC. I just received my LTC license in June 07. I accepted a job last month as a LTC administrator. This facility also has assisted living, therefore, I will have to receive my ASL. The only problem with this facility is it is a troubled facility that DHEC was going to close down. I had to take a pay cut to get this job. But I look at it this way. I will receive the experience I need and will help this facility from not closing down. This facility is in the country and these residents do not have anywhere else to go. So, I am willing to give it my very best effort for them as well as myself. They are alot of jobs out there, just don't give up, keep looking. Good Luck,
Tammy

Tammy--would you be comfortable posting your email so that I can contact you regarding interviewing, your job, etc.?

Is there any jobs in IOWA?

Bill Duncan in Tallahassee, Florida said: It's more on how you get your foot in the door. I'm a recruiter and you have to realize that most organizations are dealing many appliants with means you are typically going through a HR person who's reveiwing applicants to see if they are meeting the minimum qualifications that they have been presented with. Many times an employer will ask for the moon which they will never get. The best way is to try to get to the hiring authority. If you need help we can help you. Thanks

I need help. I am sitting for my exam in Florida within the next few months but am not finding any NHA jobs for those with no experience. I know this is what I want to do but I know I'll need help getting in the door. Any help you can offer would be great. Thank you

Don't waste your time looking for a job in Florida. I have been looking for almost five years with no luck. No experience, no job period. Long term care is like the law of the jungle, kill or get killed nowdays. In other words, health care is just a health business, the care is long gone...

You're so right. Care is the furthest thing from Operator's minds even thought they give lip service to it. Industry is very tough. If I knew this 30 years ago I would have opted for insurance or something else. Very sad.

It is a very interesting sight to see how the long-term care industry operates, indeed. I have been in this field for fifteen years (not long by comparison) and have seen pretty good stability in facilities. Yet, when you're out, you're out! While I am gainfully employed, I can tell you from experience that operators do talk to one another and surveys are reviewed. Bad surveys make for bad prospects. Another thing is the burnout rate. This job is VERY hard for anyone. When you are burned out, do you have a backup career? I made that mistake and am now pursuing my backup career (while working). It may not be great for the faint of heart when one gets accustomed to the lifestyle of making decent dollars. Also, while many people in the corporate offices do mean well, they are also in the kill or be killed industry. You have to remember that no matter how much they like you, they will terminate you to save their own skin. I speak from experience in a regional role. I highly encourage anyone interested in this type of position to look at other possibilities......it is a dead end career with no room for 'real' growth. Too many college students, at this point in time, are very focused on the amount of money they will make in this career. This is bad business! If you don't get experience in another career, this job will eat you up and spit you out. Then, be prepared to be destitute....not many employers are looking to hire someone who was once a 'chief executive' of an organization into a role. They will be considered 'over-qualified'. Look at alternate roles and leave these roles to people who are willing to deal with depression for a lifetime (with the unemployment rate for NHAs and the burnout rate, as well). That's my piece of advice.

Still looking for work in NY

I have been trying to get a nursing home administrators job for the past 6 months without any success. I did all of the right things, had my resume re-done by a professional, sent out resumes to all of the jobs in Northwest IN. and went over my interviewing skills with other professionals. I got some interviews but I have not been able to get a job. One of the companies interveiwed me 4 times and then nothing. I am really frustrated and I am considering trying to get into another profession out of desparation. Any suggestions?

I have been trying to get a job for 5 years with no success. Welcome to the club. Companies either want somebody with NO experience in healthcare or someone with at least 5 years of experience as an administrator. No experience means they will mold the candidate to their ways of managing, sometimes pushing the numbers beayond legal limits. Or someone with experience that knows the rules and how to bend them to the extreme. Medicare is a cow that all the nurisng home companies are milking to the point of extintion. Unfortunately, if you have morals and ethics you will be doing the right thing which me ans going against unwriten companies policies. One thing is how they operate, another thing is what their policies and procedures manual say. Good luck. The care in the healthcare busiines is long gone my fiend.

Sadly, you are 100% on target. If you are experienced and have ethics they do not want you. They want a first timer who they can bend and abuse or someone who they know will play games for them. Of course, if you are caught, sanctioned, or lose your license they will not be there for you !! Very sad commentary !! As you said the " care " part exited a long time ago !!

sorry you 2 have lost your passion-I assure you that ethics, good care and jobs are available in OH-I know personally of 3 brand new NHAs that got jobs within 6 months of completeing their internships

Tim Dressman in Dayton, Ohio said: sorry you 2 have lost your passion-I assure you that ethics, good care and jobs are available in OH-I know personally of 3 brand new NHAs that got jobs within 6 months of completeing their internships

Good for OH, that's is the exception of the rule. Although, I used to work in western PA and WV and it's pretty much the same as Florida. Why? because the companies that manage and own nursing homes in those states have their headquarters guess where, Florida.
By the way, I have not lost the "passion". On the contrary, I work in one of the fields that cares most about patients, therapy. I just tell it like it is...

I find everyone's comments on here very interesting. I'm 22 years old and currently live in Cleveland Ohio. I'm reaching the end of my bachelors in Health Services Administration, and plan to earn my masters in the future. While going to school I work as an independent home health aide through Ohio's Medicaid program.I wanted to see how easy (OR NOT SO EASY;AFTER READING EVERYONE'S COMMENTS)it would be to find a job at a nursing home in Florida (more specifically Orlando or Cocoa Beach Fl.)I figured that since Ohio's economy is depressed, and Florida is the "senior capitol of the world", I would have a much greater chance of finding a job as an administrator at a hospital or nursing home. I also do not have any administration experience. I have been doing home health care for a while now and have been thinking of what ways I could develop some experience in administration. I'm not sure what I could do with my BHSA? Maybe I could work as a assistant while I go back to get my masters? Are there really job opportunities in Ohio? That would be disheartening to move to Florida to find out that all of the administration jobs are back in Ohio.......Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

Bailey,

Everyone is having (or had) their trials and tribulations with finding a job here in Florida (myself included). I'm not trying to cloud your judgement but I can only say that it is tough. I know people that have been looking for an administrator job since forever and some who had found jobs right out the gate when getting their licenses. Yes, Florida does have a lot of seniors and a lot of nursing homes but competition is fierce.

FYI, Central Florida is one of the worst housing markets in America and was really impacted when the bubble burst. The economy here isn't exactly all that great. How much have you looked into Florida? I hope your decision to move to Florida is not all based on assumption.

hey bailey,
have you thought about texas? texas pays well and it always has openings. if you are looking for a beach environment texas has that. it hasnt really been affected by all of the housing bust either. you would like it. i have worked and live in florda. its not all of that. most of my friends have tried it out there and the turn over in administrators is ridiculous. no job security and no ethics. i worked for a good company that has since sold but i had a good experience back in the 90's now not so good for anyone.

Miss Goodwin,
Know of any good interim nursing facility administrator jobs available? Ha. I hope that your time at Tomball is going good for you. Keep in touch and I will do the same. Have a good day!
Jules
Licensed nursing Faclity Administrator
Louisiana and Texas