Advice to novice who wants to work with geriatric population.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Jul 12, 2016

First off, you don't need 2 years hospital experience to get a job in LTC. Also, in many facilities, the CNAs know their job and do it, letting you know changes these see. You are involved in their care as you state you would like to be.

loriangel14, RN · Jul 12, 2016

I work on an inpatient rehab floor at a hospital and it's pretty much a geriatric population. I love it. Geriatrics isn't for everyone. It takes patience and compassion. These days pretty much every floor is filled with the elderly. Good luck with whatever path you take.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

"I feel pretty positive that I want to work with a geriatric population. "

Pretty positive will not cut it with any interviewer. You must exhibit a firm conviction.

I admire your goal and passion... now you must sell yourself in an interview.

Only the VA can answer if you would be considered as a new grad.

You can parlay ANY hospital floor nurse position to include geriatric experience.

Get that first job.. work from there.

HeySis, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2016

IN my area most nurses work in LTC just to get some years of experience under their belt so they can apply elsewhere. LTC is the field I see most as not requiring experience.

I worked LTC for many years, we did TPN, PCA pumps on a PICC line, Wound care (and lots of it, DM wound, stats ulcers, DQ's), full assessments, managed medications and side effects, spoke with families, helped patients transition into end of life care and more. The MD's, who were only required to see their patients every other month, relied on us to let them know of any changes. LTC is not an easy job, but it can be rewarding, and gain you valuable experience.

A lot of home health and hospices hire new grads too.... but I always worry about that. Make sure your training is good and that there is always backup that can get to you. Nothing worse then being out in the middle of no where, and with no help when you are new.

ebcifaldi · Jul 13, 2016

Does LTC exist in most hospitals? I wasn't really familiar with it as a specialty until recently. I did get to do one of my clinicals on an Oncology floor. Would cancer patients be included in LTC? I guess it depends on the cancer. I got to do my Med Surg clinical at a burn unit and they let us assist with hydro, dressing changes, measure drainages, lots of wound vac and bear huggers. Almost every patient had a PICC line. We could administer any drugs as long as the nurse was with us. I learned there that you don't always have a wound specialist, you have to learn fast.

Thanks for the advice. I feel like my only problem may be managing time because I just want to talk and listen to geriatric patients. I know many of them are lonely and it's not because I feel sorry for them. I just feel like they deserve respect and I enjoy when they work well with humor. I watched my dad's decline and the last thing you want is for someone who has worked so hard and been so able bodied to feel a loss of dignity. We will all be there eventually.

Double Dunker · Jul 13, 2016

I think your understanding of LTC is not the standard definition of LTC. LTC generally means nursing homes and post-acute care facilities. No, hospitals don't have long term care. They have acute patients who then many times are transferred to LTC when they are stable, not sick enough for the hospital, but not capable of caring for themselves at home.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

One of the gals I went to school with had the goal of working in LTC (nursing home), gaining experience, and eventually becoming a geriatric NP.

I was a CNA in LTC for a few years, and I agree with quiltynurse. The nurses gave us some direction, but overall we had our routine down. The nurses were very involved with the care planning and nursing interventions-- stuff that cannot be delegated.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

Does LTC exist in most hospitals? I wasn't really familiar with it as a specialty until recently. I did get to do one of my clinicals on an Oncology floor. Would cancer patients be included in LTC? I guess it depends on the cancer. I got to do my Med Surg clinical at a burn unit and they let us assist with hydro, dressing changes, measure drainages, lots of wound vac and bear huggers. Almost every patient had a PICC line. We could administer any drugs as long as the nurse was with us. I learned there that you don't always have a wound specialist, you have to learn fast.
Thanks for the advice. I feel like my only problem may be managing time because I just want to talk and listen to geriatric patients. I know many of them are lonely and it's not because I feel sorry for them. I just feel like they deserve respect and I enjoy when they work well with humor. I watched my dad's decline and the last thing you want is for someone who has worked so hard and been so able bodied to feel a loss of dignity. We will all be there eventually.

You will not likely (in this day & age) find a position that affords that luxury. Today's healthcare delivery system does not allow for talking & listening to.

BSN16 · Jul 13, 2016

"I feel pretty positive that I want to work with a geriatric population. "
Pretty positive will not cut it with any interviewer. You must exhibit a firm conviction.
I admire your goal and passion... now you must sell yourself in an interview.
Only the VA can answer if you would be considered as a new grad.
You can parlay ANY hospital floor nurse position to include geriatric experience.
Get that first job.. work from there.

Yup. No matter what floor with the obvious exception of OB and peds, there will be an abundant amount of geriatric patients.

BSN16 · Jul 13, 2016

Some larger hospitals sometimes even have geriatric floors

ebcifaldi · Jul 13, 2016

Thanks, I guess that sounded like a dumb question. I think I'd serve well doing nursing homes, rehab facilities (the ones that get people back on their feet after a hospital stay), and maybe even alzheimer's daycare.