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by enita

What do you think of graduate nurses working in long term care centers so soon after graduation? Do you feel it impedes on continuing their education?

[enita]

I have heard my DON say that is not a problem because in a LTC setting the nurse does not have anyone to hold their hand. I would disagree because working on med-surg would hone your skills.

[Nurse Ratched]

If you do go straight to long term care, be prepared for difficulty if you decide to leave that setting. You do not get your med-surg skills cemented in while they're still fresh in your head.

And, you have not yet had a chance to hone your assessment skills. Your DON saying "you won't have anyone to hold your hand" is just a euphemism for "we're going to shove you into a position you're not ready for and you'll probably be charge nurse your first night on the job." Beware. Sadly, there is a school of thought that it's ok to put brand new nurses in positions of authority in long term care. It's inappropriate to have anyone "cut their teeth" without a mentor in a job where lives are at stake.

Good luck to you, and watch your back.

[Mkue]

Originally posted by Nurse Ratched
get your med-surg skills cemented in while they're still fresh in your head.

I agree with this.

Good Luck enita