LTC vs. Hospital, good move or not?

[eriksoln]

I see a lot of posts by LTC nurses about how bad the conditions are. I see some too who say they are happy with where they are, but not nearly as many.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't get along with night shift. In my current position at a hospital, not much opportunity to change to days and/or evenings. Day shift nurses are being called off a lot due to census still and every position that posts internally is for nights. So, unless I am willing to move on, I'm stuck with nights here.

I am considering doing LTC nursing because I already know of two places I could basically be hired at right off the bat if I wanted. And, they are days. I've always said I would never do nursing home but............to get away from nights I might.

Good move or no?

More importantly: What do I look for as I go to places to see where I might get hired? Any tell tale signs of a good vs. a bad situation at a nursing home?

It'd be a big move for me, but I think a lot of things would improve for me if I go to nights.

[jkaee]

I don't know the full answer to that, but a good indicator is if they are owned by a corporation. So, if the name of the place is "Happytime Nursing Facility, a division of XYZ corporation", that can tell you that they are for profit. It should also say in an ad that it's a non-profit organization.

If all that fails, just ask HR. You have a right to know.

As an Employee Health and Education nurse, I feel I must ask you to not commit to working anywhere unless you are absolutely sure you want to do so. It takes a LOT of time and effort to train someone (which I know has been a recurring theme on these boards lately), so it's not really fair to work someplace just to "try it out". I also have to disagree with working somewhere PRN. New PRN hires very rarely work out, you just can't get the training you need in order to be successful at your job, especially if you have another job that you have to go do.

My advice to you is to make a decision to stay in the hospital or to work LTC. You might find that it's not that much different, considering the majority of patients are older adults anyway, especially if you work a sub-acute unit. That rivals any MS floor.

Good luck with your decision!

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

I've actually decided to take a look at homecare nursing. I can get day shift just like I want and it may be more my niche. Not that Nursing Homes are completely off the list, but............they are no longer the first choice.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

After much consideration, I am going to be taking a job at a local nursing home. Its just too right to pass up.

I get off nights, don't take a cut in pay and liked the facility. Only con is decreased PTO.

The opportunity to get off night shift is just golden to me. I am confident I will be much happier.

[wannabenk]

I am a recent graduate and got a job right off at a LTC facility. I just spent my first night on my unit alone for the first time. My unit consists of 5 Hospice patients which require full assessments and 12 LTC individuals. I was overwelmed. I am told that it will get better with time but I am thinking about applying for a Hemo job somewhere. Along with the assessments, passing meds, and doing the treatments we have to also feed the residents. Is this a normal practice to stop what we are doing to pass trays and feed the residents. It is my first job and I have nothing to compare it to. I would appreciate any input.