[Suesquatch]

I got a med/surg spot, evenings, LPN.

I'm excited. There's so much I need to learn and the VT scope of practice is wider than NYS's.

I'll miss a couple of my old folks, but, frankly, I'm tired of taking care of other people's dying, demented relatives. I'm tired of people smacking me and chasing transpondered elopers through the parking lot and standing behind a med cart for 8 hours a day.

And mostly I now know that I can not effect change in LTC except on the smallest, one-to-one level. That's important, obviously, but my spirit is being crushed. I have had a lousy year and being surrounded by people for whom the best outcome is death in their sleep isn't improving my depression.

Cross your fingers for me, all.

[TheCommuter]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Sue.

I have been reading your refreshingly blunt posts for about a year and a half already, and I can surely sense that you have been having a rough run for your money in LTC. The backstabbing coworkers, insensitive management, poor leadership, abusive family members, and demanding patients can work much like a vacuum: if you allow it to go on too long, these people will suck the very last dripping soul out of you. They will try to break you down and rip your heart out. I know, because I have been in LTC for the past 1.5 years.

I wish you the very best of luck with your future endeavors in med-surg!

[OklaLPN]

Hi Sue,

Sure wish you the best in your new adventure!!!

OklaLPN

[BigKenny]

I agree that they will suck your soul out of you. I have been in LTC for about 2 years as an LPN. I just finished school and can't wait to leave it. At work we always say treat the families not the patients...and medicate the staff, b/c in the end we will need it more

[dekatn]

Sue, I left LTC in October of last year, went to med surg. As busy as it gets at times, it still feels almost like a vacation after working LTC all those years. Good luck, I think you will like it.

[Suesquatch]

Thank you all.



I feel so relieved.

[njbikernurse]

Woo hoo! Congrats to you. I have been guiltily reading your posts and nodding my head for a while. You've said several things that I've only allowed myself to think quietly! LTC is mostly depressing, but then occasionally heartwarming............ it's hard to give your all to a job that only occasionally seems worth it. Unless you're lucky to work with a group of "true believer" nurses, it does get demoralizing. I truly wish you the best. You seem like a good egg lost in the wrong setting!

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by njbikernurse

You've said several things that I've only allowed myself to think quietly!

Sometimes I say them aloud in the wrrrrooooong setting!

[jjjoy]

Best of luck to you! I can't wait to hear your observations since I enjoyed your honest assessments of working LTC. Congrats on the new job! :hatparty:

[indigo girl]

Well girlfriend, I think it will be a refreshing but challenging change. At least you are not going into medsurg as a brand new nurse, and that will help enormously.
You may run your butt off but you will learn a lot.

I did not realize that you were so close to the Vt boarder. Working in another state can be a little disorienting at first until you understand how they do things.
Pay attention to how they handle narcotics and how they waste them especially. It can be really different.

You said that scope of practice is expanded so you know that already.

I wish you the best of luck. I am sure that you will be better off once you get your bearings in that new setting.