My LTC experience doesnt count :( HELP!!

Specialties Geriatric

Published

So frustrated.....

After months and months of searching as a new graduate and coming up empty handed, I felt blessed to get a good paying job in LTC. Now, almost a year later, my "blessed, good paying job" has turned into a nightmare situation. I am desperate to find a new job, but everybody wants acute care experience!! Seems like all this time in LTC has been a waste (Career wise). I just dont know what to do :( I am going to take ACLS, and apply to LTAC's, but the hospitals still wont even talk to me. All they tell me is to apply for their bi-annual new graduate residencies, which are even more competitive than nursing school. (Plus, my GPA was just a 2.9- a smidge below their required 3.0)

Really frustrated... I need a new job STAT, and I need one with at least equal pay, plus some affordable health benefits. I am a good nurse, I am just in a bad situation and I cant get out :(

Any other ideas of places to apply??

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Specializes in CNA.

You know that really bites. LTC is valid experience. You have assessments, you have nursing dx, you have planning & implementation, you have acute episodes you have to deal with, you have EXPERIENCE! Ive heard this from others how working in LTC hinders their chances of getting on at a hospital, my thoughts are why???????? Are you putting down all the things you do @ your current job? I mean, the nurses at my facility do catheters, IVs, trach care, blood draws, they assess the pts regularly, they do so much more than just pass meds, why isnt it considered experience? Im frustrated for you. I want to work at my facility after graduation, as I love the people there, but I also would like to experience med-surg at a hospital. Is it really going to be a hindrance putting down that I worked in LTC for 2 years (1 as an aide & 1 as an RN)?? Sad how LTC is looked at with disdain from the other fields of nursing. very sad. I wish you all the luck in the world in getting the job you desire. If LTC is just a stepping stone for you I hope it opens the right door at the right time. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

I, too, have heard numerous times that LTC experience is not considered "real nursing experience". My facility I suspect would view it this way. I am not exactly sure why. I have been trying to make heads or tails out of that one for a while to no avail. I hope you find the resolution you're looking for.

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Same situation with CNA's. LTC experience doesn't count.

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From what I've heard, Kindred Hospitals are LTACs and they are a great company to work for. Again, this is just word of mouth.

I don't know if there is one close to where you live; here in So Cali are like 10. If you can get a job there (or in any LTAC) I would think that your chances to get into an hospital wil be better.

I agree with other people that you DO HAVE EXPERIENCE. LTCs are no longer the simple med pass/ VS control type of job. They are much more complex now a days.

Wish you the best :)

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Specializes in LTC.
You know that really bites. LTC is valid experience. You have assessments, you have nursing dx, you have planning & implementation, you have acute episodes you have to deal with, you have EXPERIENCE! Ive heard this from others how working in LTC hinders their chances of getting on at a hospital, my thoughts are why???????? Are you putting down all the things you do @ your current job? I mean, the nurses at my facility do catheters, IVs, trach care, blood draws, they assess the pts regularly, they do so much more than just pass meds, why isnt it considered experience? Im frustrated for you. I want to work at my facility after graduation, as I love the people there, but I also would like to experience med-surg at a hospital. Is it really going to be a hindrance putting down that I worked in LTC for 2 years (1 as an aide & 1 as an RN)?? Sad how LTC is looked at with disdain from the other fields of nursing. very sad. I wish you all the luck in the world in getting the job you desire. If LTC is just a stepping stone for you I hope it opens the right door at the right time. Good Luck!

And time management skills like its nobody's business.

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Specializes in LTC.

That really sucks. I'm really going to have to prove myself wants I become a RN as being a LPN with primarily LTC experience.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

Are there any hospital in your area that have a Skilled Care Unit? That could be a great way to transition to a hospital setting. Plus they will usually cross train you in several areas like Rehab or Med/Surg.

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I am a new graduate, and newly licensed RN that has a second interview with a LTC/Rehab facility that does Skilled nursing as well. I am concerned that if I am hired through this facility, that I will not be able to get into a hospital at a later date because this experience "won't count" as well. I was told by a nursing recruiter to get into a skilled nursing facility if I couldn't get into a hospital, but don't go into a nursing home as a year experience there isn't equivalent to a year's experience in a skilled nursing facility. This facility has a skilled nursing portion and a LTC wing... And they bounce their RNs from one side to the other depending on scheduling and need, so that everyone is well trained in all areas of the facility... Will this eventually hinder me... maybe... I hope not. I need a job bad right now, so if they offer and the pay isn't horrible, I will accept and pray that in time the experience and time spent here will account for something later on in my career, providing I get the job.

Good Luck to you, wish you the best. Do any experienced nurses have any suggestions for newer RNs like us in how we can make ourselves more marketable after spending time working in a LTC facility? I want to become ACLS trained, however I need to be working before I can afford that if the facility won't pay for it, and I would like to become critical care certified eventually too, although I am not sure how to go about doing that yet, need to do more research on it. Thanks!!

D

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