New nurses in LTC

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hey guys I've been working in a LTC facility since October 2nd. I've been on my own hall for about 3 weeks now. I'm feeling really torn right now because all the staff at my facility keep telling me to get out now before I get stuck here. I originally wanted a hospital med/surg position, but I could not find a job because of no experience. I was extremely happy to have finally had a position regardless of where it was at least I was working. Lately I have felt like I am loosing my nursing skills like assessments, care plans, charting, etc. because all I do is push pills. I work 3-11 mon-fri. Sorry this is so long, just me venting. What are your opinions?

Thanks for your comments Spring_Peeper and CT Pixie! Since I originally made this post I have really thought about what I do get to do at work and you have helped me realize that I do utilize what I've learned in school. I'm on the "rehab" hall so I've had experiences with several different types of pts from hip replacements to tracheal abscesses. Just reading your comments helped put that into perspective. Thank you all so much! I have to stop feeling like I"m missing out on something and be thankful for the experiences that I am having and the knowledge that I'm adding to what I previously learned. :)

Specializes in LTC, Float Pool, Ortho, Telemetry.

I'm glad you've figured that out! I have been a Nurse for 16 years and I started out in LTC as an LPN. Went on to work in the hospital for 14 yrs and some of that in float pool. I ended up on an Ortho/Med-Surg floor and eventually got my RN, BSN. It's a long story as to why I came back to LTC but suffice it to say that I love taking care of our elderly generation. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to have the time to learn the ins and outs of each of my residents. They make me smile, laugh, cry, mad, and very humble to make their last days here as comfortable and happy as possible. In today's world of Nursing, people are being released from the hospital quicker and sicker. My facility tries to make sure that we have performed all interventions possible before sending a resident out to be admitted to the hospital. It comes down to reimbursement. I do understand this because it's the same type of game all areas of healthcare are playing. LTC needs Nurses who can care for these reside ts. Learn all you can and def keep a running list of all the skills you have mastered. And please don't be ashamed to say you care for this nation's elderly. They deserve our best. :)

Hey guys I've been working in a LTC facility since October 2nd. I've been on my own hall for about 3 weeks now. I'm feeling really torn right now because all the staff at my facility keep telling me to get out now before I get stuck here. I originally wanted a hospital med/surg position, but I could not find a job because of no experience. I was extremely happy to have finally had a position regardless of where it was at least I was working. Lately I have felt like I am loosing my nursing skills like assessments, care plans, charting, etc. because all I do is push pills. I work 3-11 mon-fri. Sorry this is so long, just me venting. What are your opinions?
Don't be discouraged. Like the others said, you really are developing skills without realising it. I have been working in LTC for about 9 years now. I pretty much do everything I did on acute except read tele strips and push IV meds that require monitoring. I love getting to know my patients and what their "normal" is.
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