Does this make sense?

[LovebugLPN]

I had my first day of orientation yesterday with a couple of other nurses at a LTC facility. We were discussing why we chose to work there. A few said this was the only job they were offered. I told them I was offered other jobs that paid better but I chose to work there because it had a bad reputation. This made no sense to them and it makes no sense to my husband. I was in the emergency room a few months ago with my husband and heard the nurses saying that the nurses at this LTC were terrible and did horrible assessments. I decided that was where I wanted to be. I want to care for people who can't care for themselves and I want to be sure they are getting the best care possible. I had friends who left LTC because they felt residents were not being cared for. Why not be the one who WILL care for them and give them compassion in the last years of their life? Does this make sense to anyone else? I don't want to turn my back on them and say "well that place is a hell hole". In that place are people who need good care more then anyone else.

[TigerGalLE, BSN, RN]

Wow you are amazing! If my family member was ever in a LTC facility I would want you to be their nurse!! It definately makes sense!! If everyone had your work ethic the world would be a better place.

[RNSC]

Lovebug

You have an aweome heart and loving spirit. I would want you caring for my parents. But ( you knew it was coming) institutions are alot like dyfunctional families. They will either absorb you into their maddness, or leave on the outside looking in like hated new sister-in-law. Or You will be the catalyst that brings the family down. Any of thoes options will wear on you spirit,your heart and maybe your marriage.Sounds dramatic right? its not. Its more like water dripping /wearing on a rock. Change is good but it alway comes at a cost. Be sure you are ready to pay it.

[Drysolong]

I understand your reasoning. I do work in a facility that doesn't have the worst reputation. but one of the worst and even though I am a relatively new nurse, I stand out as one of the "better" nurses. I think it's because, even though my heart is NOT in LTC, I love people and take my assignment seriously.

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

You sound like such a compassionate nurse!

That being said, you will burn out faster than a match in a tornado. It will frustrate the hell out of you when you come back from your days off and find things not done, done improperly, or residents telling you stories of bad things gone by. I would suspect the administration could care less, so I doubt there's anything you could do to affect change. Pessimistic, I know. Been in LTC for a long time.

[LovebugLPN]

I probably will "burn out" but I am willing to take the chance. It may be tomorrow or it may be 20 years from now. It doesn't hurt to try to make a difference. If nobody took chances on places like this the residents would spend the final days of their lives with people who did not care. I hope someday if my son decides to throw Mom in a place like this that a nurse comes along who is not afraid to try. I just want to try. Thank you!

[allantiques4me]

You sound like such a compassionate nurse!

That being said, you will burn out faster than a match in a tornado. It will frustrate the hell out of you when you come back from your days off and find things not done, done improperly, or residents telling you stories of bad things gone by. I would suspect the administration could care less, so I doubt there's anything you could do to affect change. Pessimistic, I know. Been in LTC for a long time.

I have to agree with her.Been there done that.Then you start feelin like it reflects on you as a nurse when they are not being taken care of properly.Families start C/o nursing care,ect.And obviously youre part of that team.It can be reallly degrading as a person ,to be part of that environment.