I told the agency that has been caring for my mom for years that I just do not want her to go back home. Her condition has declined in the past several weeks and I told them I need to put her in a nursing home straight from the hospital. Just need someone to talk to as I have no one to talk to about it and this has been difficult.
https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html
Will you go visit mom once she's in a nursing home? You can check on the place once you visit.
Before your Mom is discharge, as Blannie had mentioned above, the hospital will call you with their suggestions. In many cases, the parent goes to the facility that has an open bed, thus no choices. But you can move Mom to where ever you like after the fact if there is a place you would prefer that eventually has an open bed.
If your Mom is on Medicare, Medicare will pay for one transport from the hospital to the nursing home. If you decide to change rehab/nursing homes, the transport cost is from Mom's own pocket.
Hope everything works out well, and it's a win-win for both you and your Mom.