How do you feel about New Grad RNs in LTC?

[BonnieSc]

I asked a similar question in the General forum, hope no one minds if I refocus for LTC nurses...

I'm thinking of applying to an LTC, pretty much just because I haven't been able to find a hospital job. I have experience as an ALF caregiver, before nursing school.

Honestly, I'm not interested in making LTC a career and wouldn't be staying more than a year (just to give the blunt truth!). I want a JOB. But I'm a hard worker with good integrity and would absolutely do my best (and not make a big deal about how I'm only there because I couldn't find anything better!).

My questions:

--what do you think? is LTC really only for people with a passion for the work? or is it all right for me to pursue a job there?

--at first I bought into the "you'll lose your skills" thing, but after reading a few posts in this forum, I wonder... am I even close to skilled enough? how would I handle all of this without six weeks or more of preceptorship like I'd get in the hospital? I've never done a bladder scan or given TPN! (my senior preceptorship was in ER).

--LVNs, how would you feel about working with such an inexperienced RN? I do think I have something to offer--leadership and organizational skills, for instance, and I did do very well with nursing skills in school--but you'd all be far more skilled than I.

I'm really struggling with this decision, so any words of advice, even if you want to tear me apart, are welcome.

:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur

[Schmoo1022]

Hello,

I have worked in LTC since graduating five years ago. It is a " skilled facility", but truthfully it isn't skilled at all.

I have never drawn blood, inserted an I.V. or done an EKG. These are all done by an outside company. Truthfully, I do not have these skills.

I do have many other valuable skills that I have aquired from working LTC. I have to be very independent, time oriented, family oriented and able to trouble shoot.

This is just my opinion, but for me, I feel like I did myself a disservice by going into LTC directly out of school. I do like working in LTC though.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

You will learn all sorts of new skills working in a SNF. I never did IV's when I worked in the hospital...we had an IV team. Do 'em all the time in SNF. Never did TPN or a wound vac or trach care in the hospital...do them now in SNF.

Look for a skilled facility which offers a GOOD orientation. My company offers all new grads 4 weeks of orientation as a new grad....practically unheard of in this business.

Good luck

[Schmoo1022]

Capecodmermaid.

Your place sounds fantastic! We do not do trachs or TPN in my nursing home. In fact I think there are only two nursing homes in Rhode Island that do!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Capecodmermaid.

Your place sounds fantastic! We do not do trachs or TPN in my nursing home. In fact I think there are only two nursing homes in Rhode Island that do!

We're not too far from Rhode Island if you want to come work here!

[kstec, LPN]

I remember in school, the last 6 weeks of clinicals we could either do LTC or find a place that would precept us. We had already done 8 weeks on LTC earlier in school so I decided to do my last 6 weeks in family practice at a clinic. Since I worked in the pharmacy at the hospital that was affiliated with the clinic I got in easily. I remember asking my nursing instructor if this would be beneficial and if I would learn anything. She was an older nurse and told me "There is more than one way to skin a cat". At first I looked at her and then I realized what she meant. Assessment skills, labs, testing, drugs and on and on can be learned in family practice. I learned so much from pediatric to geriatrics. Then after graduation I started working for them. After about 4-6 months I decided to try LTC. The skills I learned in the clinic helped tremindously (sp). I knew what were normal labs, what tests were and how to read results, what type of MD did what type of care and testing for referral and all of this has helped in LTC. I've also worked Hospice and learned even more, but was able to implement everything else I had learned through LTC and family practice. I still work all three places (prn) and love the diversity of them. Each one is different but yet the same. Don't ever think that anything you learn is not usefull, it may not be then but will be later. I feel that my assessment skills are excellent. Though I am a LPN, I don't know the patho behind each disease or disease process but I can que into the most minute abnormalities with my patients. So yes in LTC you can learn great skills, because there is you and only you, so the things your learned in nursing school that are deep in the back of brain to be recovered when needed, will definitely come in handy. You think, work and act very independently. It's hard at first, but it gets easier. I would advise you to work in a facility that embraces your newness and is willing to be patient and mentor while your getting your feet wet. Good luck in whatever you choose. And yes Rn, BSN's even work LTC, on the floors, not because that is the only place they could get employed, but because it was one of the many opportunites available in nursing and they fell not only in love with the job, but the precious residents who you will grow to love and they will show you their thanks in some of the most unique ways. Actually today I had a 45 year old MS lady write me the most sloppiest, shakiest beautiful Dear Nurse letter I've ever seen. Why, because I held her hand while she got her blood drawn and we yelled together and I told her that I would get revenge on the phlebotomist for hurting her. She laughed and then decided to write a letter telling me about her because she has a hard time talking. What's really cool is that she will be there waiting for me when I go back into work, with a smile that will make my day. Sorry so long, but if you find the right LTC facility, you'll know it. I work my butt off, but for those that went into nursing strictly for the money, I feel bad for your patients. I earn every penny I make because there is nothing I'm above or below doing for my residents. Okay, I'm done.

[0128AAE]

My opinion of a new RN in LTC would be based on how the new RN conducts their behavior towards other staff members. A RN may be better qualified but to a LPN who has been at the job for 12 years may be more experienced. Don't crap on the staff that may be less qualified because they have more experience. A RN is only as good as they are trained and have learned from many qualified individuals like housekeeping, CNA's Med techs and LPN/LVN. I have worked with may new RN's as a CNA and I have learned that the RN's that take CNA's for granteed don't last in LTC. However the RN's that rely on the CNA 's and that are helpful and respect everyone turns out to be a great accet to the facility.