[nurse0608]

I'm a PN student. I want to work LTC or ALF but everyone else seems to think that's horrible. I've been told several times not to "get trapped into LTC." Now, I'm a big girl and will do what I want but it sure would be nice to hear some GOOD experiences with working LTC or ALF. Thanks!

[CapeCodMermaid]

B3---go over to the geriatric and LTC page and see if you can find anything good about that part of nursing.
Lady MonteCarlo- Thanks for your honest appraisal of life in ALF. The grass isn't really any greener anywhere is it?

[nurse0608]

capecodmermaid- Thanks but I already tried this question there and the answers were pretty neg. Basic gist was don't get trapped and there are other areas to work in.

[LadyMonteCarlo]

If you would like to try LTC I would go with SNF rather than ALF. New nurses are not ideal for AL due to lack of experience. It takes a very healthy knowledge base that can only be gained with years of experience to properly assess and care for AL residents. However, SNF's would offer you plenty of hands-on experience such as: tubes, catheters, pumps, treatments etc. I wouldn't recommend remaining in a SNF as a new nurse for more than 1 - 2 years simply because things become quite repetative after a time. Explore all of your options. The door is wide open in most areas. Best of luck.

[linzz]

I agree with you Lady MonteCarlo, I don't think that ALF work for new grads. We have lots of them crying for LPN's in our area but new grads like me are afraid of losing their licence because most only give a few days of orientation and I guess more experienced nurses can make more money in LTC's in Canada because they are govt funded. Here in Canada retirment homes get no gov't $, so they pay less for LPNs'. RN's, I don't know how much they are paid.

[VivaLasViejas]

I would never recommend starting a nursing career in ALF. At bare minimum, you need excellent time-management and assessment skills as well as a talent for managing other people, and these come only with time and practice. I've heard too many stories about new grads coming into the field and floundering badly because of their lack of experience.........and if truth be told, you don't use a lot of clinical skills in ALF, so this is definitely not the place for a brand-new nurse fresh out of school.

A new grad needs to work somewhere they can use those skills for at least a year or two, to get the procedures down and learn how to manage their time efficiently, so that they always have the option of returning to bedside nursing if they so choose. Many nurses, including myself, drift in and out of administrative positions as they become bored or restless; it's good to know that I've established strong clinical nursing skills so that if I ever again get the urge to go back to the bedside, I'll be able to call on those abilities.

[mazeRN]

hello there!
im new in this forum. im a filipina, new grad and just passed nclex-rn. I have always wanted to work in one of the US' finest hospitals but looks like im bound to be working in a nursing home (is this the same as ALF? Btw, what's SNF?) because i already have a job offer by an employer. I see that this is the easiest and fastest route for me and my family to get to the US, hoping that retrogression problem wont stay for long. To look for a hospital who can sponsor me is a tedious and long process, i might resort to entrusting my fate to agencies, which i try to avoid as much as possible.
But i have been advised by some credible people to stay away from nursing homes, have told me the cons, like staffing ratio, et.al. that might put my license on the line. All i have heard so far are negative (sigh!). To any RN working in a nursing home, can you tell me the pro's? Can u give me some encouragements? Or can anyone offer me other options? Thanks a lot!

[CapeCodMermaid]

Maze-
An ALF is not the same as a SNF (don't we love our initials in this business!?!)
An assisted living facility usually doesn't provide anything but basic nursing care....medication management,bathing, dressing...very basic.
A SNF...skilled Nursing facility is a whole different world. Most SNFs have different units these days:a long term unit for people who are stable medically but need 24 hour care of some type, a dementia unit for (duh) demented residents, and a subacute/rehab floor where the patients are just out of the hospital for a new knee or hip or raging CHF or post op CABG. These patients are NOT stable and you need excellent clinical assessment skills. Each has its own 'flavor' and some people love the subacute but hate dementia. Some nurses would never work on a subacute floor but really like the long term care floor....best part about nursing...there is something for everyone. True, staffing is a major issue for nursing homes...you have anywhere from 20 to 40 patients to give meds to and treatments and charting.
Check out many options before deciding on one.
Good luck to you.

[DTC]

Hi ya'll,,yet another new face! I an 52 years young adn graduated LPN school March 06. I was my Father's primary caregiver for 3 years until his death in early March 06. My working background was in the health insurance industry with heavy emphasis on medical records review, screening medical information for eligibility, group rep(we only insured doctors and their office staff)and other responsibilities. I went to LPN rather than RN becuase at the time, the waiting list was so long. After graduating, I traveled abroad, remodled my Dad's home, disposed of his estate and Jan 29, 07, had lap band surgery. I interviewed, was hired and start tomorrow as the 3p-11p LPN at an ALF. At this time in my life,,I believe ASL will be a good fit for me. This facility is the best in the state, doesnt accept any form of government aid and everyone I checked with who currently works there has given me only positive feedback. They give 2 weeks orientation and the starting salary is more than I could have made at any SNF in the state(other than the one attached to this ASF, which is the same). Maybe they thought with my maturity, my past business work history and excellent references that I would function well in this enviornment. I"m looking forward to starting this new job and furthering my credentials in ASF. I also have only G&D and Micro to take before bridging over to RN,,if i choose.
Thanks for everyones posts,,this site is a great plae to get honest, first-hand experiences and opinions as well as support.

[DTC]

BTW,,can anyone give me any info about any type of extra credentials that I can earn to enhance my position in ASL? Is there a national organization for ASL nurses? If I"m going to stick with ASL, I want to subscribe to any magazines, join any organizations and take any classes that help me in my journey.
Thanks!