Where are all the nurses?

lila, i'd guess the only reason you're in ltc is because of the economy, only 2 interviews out of 144 apps says it all. the reality is what i stated, lpn's are the backbone of ltc, as the person trying to hire n this thread has also stated, that's what most ltc facilities n her area do too, it's the case across the country. ltc is a biz and it's about cost effectiveness and employee retention, rn's generally don't offer that for ltc, there is the rare rn that does though (they planned on doing ltc b4 or while n nursing school). we've all come across lpn's, rn's, md's and others that didn't know how to do job tasks. someone higher up failed n hiring the right person and/or training them.

I agree as well...I've been working for a year now at a skilled facility on the TCU (new grad). I cannot even count how many "so you just work in a nursing home?"/"you must not be getting much experience" sort of comments I continue to get when I tell people where I am working. I ignore such comments and tell people that I love my job, because I do.

CCM, you would hire nurses here in a heartbeat. The recession has hit us hard and new grad spots don't exist, nor do spots in LTC. I have applied everywhere. Finally heard back from a magnet hospital in which I would love to work so cross your fingers for me.

Those who don't think you learn in LTC: My dad had terrible pneumonia and a horrid decub. Mom was caring for him at home and he was non-ambulatory. The hospital kicked out this still-febrile man to an LTC where he was on an IV for weeks, is on a nwound-vac, and he went the DAY AFTER they inserted a PEG tube.

His care is PLENTY skilled.

I love P-Town!
I'd work there in a heartbeat... but unfortunately it would be a really long commute from Honolulu...

Do you have any first shift positions? I live in Rhode Island, but if it is as good as you ...I will drive

I live in MA near the cape and am an LPN...

Our facility also has a problem with staffing, however we do get new grads who actually stay. We are one of the sites they use on their clinicals which I think helps alot. They get to know the facility, staff, and how we do things. By being a clinical site, we have had many new grads. The other thing our facility has is a "grow your own" program. All staff get an educational reinbursment of $350 a year, they can take any classes they want. After they have been accepted into a nursing program, the facility pays for their tutition for the nursing program, however, they have to sign an aggreement they will work here for three years after they graduate. So far we have only had 1 quite after and she had to pay the county back. Now that does not count for nurses who are LPNs going to RNs, only CNAs to nurse. It has been a really good program for us.

what part of the cape?

Should be where are all the jobs? I live in MA and cannot find a job at all, and I have applied to many places