[Suesquatch]

Chloe, I work in informatics in the facility in which I was an LPN on NOCs. I was talking with one of "my" residents today and as she was being wheeled away by the unit clerk she grabbed my hand and snuggled it and said, "I love you." And I answered, "I love you, too."

That's why.

OF the limited floor nursing I've done, I would choose LTC again in a heartbeat were I to return to the floor.


I miss my alter kacks.

[shawnnarae]

Originally Posted by LadyJRN1

Please do not go into LTC - you will have residents who report you for nothing but trying to help them, families who are demanding and want to tell you how to take care of their family members, and LPN's and CNA's who are troublemakers and deceitful. Save yourself alot of agony and find another place to work.

This is a ridiculous post.



Ditto to this.

[shawnnarae]

Originally Posted by LadyJRN1

This has been my personal experience in LTC/NH and am I not entitled to freedom of speech? You ask many other nurses who have worked in this field and they will tell you the same, I am just not afraid to say it. I am sure you have had bad experiences in nursing?

Then please go post in the 'What do you HATE about LTC?' forum.

[calliesue]

It is knowing that you make a difference. I like knowing that the work I do has a positive impact on people who have worked hard all their life , and that though a lot of society is through with them they still have value. Yes there are the good the bad and the ugly in ltc , but most of my long time families are sweet loving and grateful.
My favorite is a daughter who comes up and reads the bible to her mom every night, you just know her mom read the bible to her every night when she was young and now they have come full circle.
I have a 92 year old patient that still puts on her make up every day.
Listening to this same patient tell her daughter "Jeannie I told you not to come up here today ", And her daughters response "Mother I am 72 years old , I do occasionally make my own decisions."
I mean stuff like this cracks me up !
It is the patients who reach out and grab your hand or hug you.
I enjoy seeing the love people have for each other and the different ways it plays out through the lives of my patients.
Thanks for starting this thread cause sometimes I get so caught up in the politics, and worrying about whose doing what that I forget that it really is about the patients!

Mostly, in my opinion you get what you give . If you have a heart for the elderly you will like it.

[Suesquatch]

Everyone, try to just ignore the riff-raff.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Callie,
you are most welcome. I figured with all that is out there, it was time to speak of why we WANT to be here and chose this. And I really hope my interview tomorrow reflects that this is where I should be because when I read a post like yours and the simple love given in Sue's above, I feel all warm and fuzzy and I sure haven't felt that in the hospital setting.

Thanks for your kind words!

Chloe
RN-BSN, BA

[MY DOG SADIE]

I love it when I have been off a few days and my residents come up to me and tell me how much they missed me. When you get responses like that you know you are making an impact on their lives.

[Stanley-RN2B]

I am an RN student but have been a CNA for 8+ years. I went into healthcare on a whim but I find that I stay because I have never found anything else that has filled me with a sense of accomplishment and joy. As men we really aren't exposed to these things when we are growing up. It's like having multiple grandparents. These are people that have seen and experienced things that will never be known to us. They have given life and lived it.

After this much time I still enjoy every day that I go to work. Yea, other CNAs and the nurses can be a pain in my behind. The residents make it worth it though. Who knew taking care of people would be more fun than doing more manly things like blowing things up . You should definitely try it at least. You may love it.

Of course when a 98 year old woman from Alabama thinks a 30ish black man is her son and her eyes light up when she sees you is wonderful in itself, but that's a different thread.

[JB2007]

There are several things that I love about working in LTC. When I have a new resident come in and I am able to comfort them. When I walk into the unit in the morning and one of my residents smiles at me. When one of my confused residents comes up to me and says something completely nutty. There are certain residents that make me smile everyday. When my alert resident is sick and say to me "I am so glad you are here today."

Most of all I know in my heart of hearts that I make a difference in someone's life every single day.

Thanks for starting this thread. It really helped me to focus on the positives about my job.

[Chloe'sinNYNow]

Originally Posted by JB2007

Thanks for starting this thread. It really helped me to focus on the positives about my job.

It's been a pleasure on my end as well JB!

Thank you for your kind words!!

Chloe
RN-BSN, BA