Am I short changing myself by working LTC?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2007

It all depends on what your future goals are. If your goal is to learn as many nursing skills as possible while being exposed to as many medical situations as possible, then med/surg would help you meet your goals. If you aim to build ongoing patient relationships, manage your time superbly, work at a breathable pace, and learn all about the aging process, then LTC might pique your interest.

I have worked at the same LTCF for nearly 2 years. I spent a little over 1 year in the traditional long-term unit, and have been working in the skilled rehabilitation unit for the past half year. You will know a great deal about the personal lives of your patients and family members, bond with some of them, shed tears when certain patients die, and build overall relationships that are unforgettable.

BetterMeRN · Oct 9, 2007

I graduated in May of this year and took a job on a med/surg unit. I was so stressed on that unit. Even the experienced nurses seemed a bit harried. The hospital wasn't willing to place me on another unit so I quit. I know for sure I had an anxiety attack the last day I was there due to the stress. I was told I was doing wonderfully. I sure didn't feel it. I know one thing, I enjoyed my patients and did provide good and safe care to them. I miss that aspect of it. I used to work as a agency cna during school and have decided to work as a LTC nurse with them. Not to offend any LTC nurses out there, am I short changing myself by going over to LTC? I was even thinking about private duty possibly in the future. I will still be using some of my nursing skills as well but I keep thinking I will be missing something without some hospital experience. I'm afraid if I don't apply soon to some local hospitals I will just abandon that idea and be locked into LTC for the rest of my career. And because it will be agency, I can choose my own hrs. and days. I won't have to work any weekends and holidays if I don't won't to. That is so appealing to me with children and husband at home. I just want to give myself a fair shot. If I gave myself more than two months to adjust in med/surg I'm sure I would have been successful. But the stress was unbelievable at times and I wasn't sure how I'd function while own my own. Basically, I was afraid of failure and I fled. Trying to figure of my niche is going to take awhile it seems. I am just a confused new nurse trying to do what is right. Thanks for any advice offered.

If you felt it you are probably right on your instincts, I'm sure its hard on a med/surg floor. Alot of people say LTC is not for new grads, but med/surg isn't for everyone. For me I like being busier, I hate sitting around doing nothing, I have to keep moving, and I feel good when I get things accomplished.

If med/surg isn't for you, I suggest you give LTC a try or an agency. You can also go back to med/surg when you feel you can handle it. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Yosemite, RN, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 9, 2007

Think about your future and the future of nursing very carefully. I've been doing it for almost 21 years (I know, not so long as many...), and I can tell you this: if you stay out of acute care medical hospitals for 2 years or more, you will find it VERY hard to get a job in that type of facility again.

As foreign nurses flood into the country, you will one day find that you will be in STIFF competition for jobs; if you don't have "recent" acute care experience, you will be unhireable for those types of facilities.

I would suggest that you consider "per diem" or some such to keep you "hand in," so to speak. Yes, med/surg is crazy anxious work. I've found few Nursing Jobs that aren't!

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2007

Good Luck Holly Jolly. Or Jolly Holly. whatever. lol.

I say do what makes you happy. If it is more important for you to have time with your family right now then pick LTC. If it is more important for you to develop your nursing skills, then maybe pick another med surg floor at another hospital. I totally freaked in med surg but I think it had more to do with adjusting to nursing than the floor, for me. I like the prospect of learning lots about different things so deep down I truly feel that starting in either med surg or telemetry offers the best foundation for a new nurse.

I am in the process of figuring out my 'true' values. I have decided family is #1 and financial security #2, but can't add to #1 if you don't have #2. A satisfying career for me comes last, but it is always nice to feel like you are contributing to the greater good and helping others. So now I am looking for a job that will allow me to focus on both those values. I don't know where I am going with this (LOL). I know you are likely scared to try med surg again, but if there are other hospitals around, maybe try it. Ya never know. Will you be bored in LTC? Since others seem to think it is calmer there, maybe you would be happier?

jjjoy, LPN · Oct 9, 2007

Oftentimes, the degree of craziness depends more on the facility than the type of facility. LTC can be crazy busy, too, just a different kind of crazy busy.

If you have the time and resources - make a slow search of local facilities - both acute and LTC - and see if you can find an environment that you think will fit you. Go for informational interviews, as opposed to a hiring interview and don't let them pressure you into accepting employment before you're ready. The places that are most desperate are more likely to have more stressful work conditions. Visit the facilities several times at different shifts. Hang out there for awhile and see if you can pick up a gut vibe. Do they look harried? How do the staff interact with each other? Introduce yourself to the staff, ask them about their experiences. These are the people you'd be seeing day in and day out. How do you feel about them?

Nursing is stressful enough on its own, so you want a place that you otherwise feel safe and supported.