Assisted Living

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I am working in LTC and have been for over a year I am not very happy there so I applied for a position in assisted living I got the job and am supposed to start next week. I am wondering is assisted living really that much different than ltc I dont wont to jump out of the pan into the fire if you know what I mean, I loved the way they treated me when I was there I have only worked at the ltc since graduation i guess i am just a little nervous about changing jobs so soon...

What are the typical hours/days for an RN in assisted living? I'm wondering if it is similar to what I currently work (7-3 shift, M-F, EOW). I've seen ads for FT and PT and am seriously thinking of applying - getting a bit tired of LTC/subacute, but I love working with the senior population. Thanks for your help!

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When I graduated nursing school (haven't taken my state boards yet) I started in the Hospital, didn't like that and went to LTC. It was ok but an assisted living position became available for an LPN and I jumped on it! I ABSOLUTELY love it! It's where my heart is. I think it is extremely different than LTC. I associate it more with Home Health Care in One building. It's more paperwork, I am the only nurse on the day shift...but I love it! Good Luck to you!:up:

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Where I work, since there's only one nurse per shift, the scheduling can be tricky. One nurse works 12 hour shifts, and I've noticed that other people work the traditional 5 days a week, 8 hour days (the day nurse). While it is flexible with hours, the downside is that if a shift is taken, it's taken. For example, the nurse who works day shift has been there for years, and so only weekend days are open. On the plus, the nurses work out the schedule so that time off can be planned for, and nurses will cover you because they know they will be depending on YOU when THEY need a day. It probably is very facility-specific, though, as to the flexibility in scheduling. As for us, as long as the shift is covered, the DON/owner seems fine with everything...we are very dependent on nurses being responsible and reliable...if all nurses were (by not calling off like crazy, or coming in late, quitting without enought notice), all places could be this flexible.

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Specializes in LTC.

Well heres it goes I LOVE IT...the staff is great the residents can talk to me I have half the residents I used to have and it has been a great experience I have worked for thursday and friday 13 hours both days to orient and I felt like i was barely even there...good move so far

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I am glad its going good for you so far! I hope you like it even more as time goes on. Good Luck!!!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

:yeah: kudos to all nurses out there who love their job...it shows! i just love this website and sit for hours reading all the varying degrees of commitment. :heartbeat

having passed my state boards in september of 2007, i am new to the nursing field and so, found ltc in a nursing home to be unsatisfactory to me for what i wanted out of nursing. i felt all i did was push pills...there was no time to interact with the residents unless they had a need for an extensive dressing change. i always left at end of shift feeling like something was missing. i thank god for the internet and providing the means for me to find my position i now hold. i've been working at the finest assisted living facility i know of and love it! it is situated in a retirement community where residents buy into a health care plan while they are still very much independent; some continue to work a full time job. this retirement community provides full-life care...from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing needs. the assisted living unit consists of approximately 36- 40 residents with varying degrees of independence. some are permanent placement, others recouperating from various illnesses and/or surgeries until they are well enough to go back to their apartment or cottage. we have a few residents who 'self-medicate'. most of them are assisted with their medications by nursing staff -- one licensed practical nurse and two medication aides on day shift (0600 - 1430), the same for evenings (1400 - 2230), the night shift employs only medication aides, usually two. we also are required to assist with adl to varying degrees based on each individual's needs. the only thing i do not like about my position is the great amount of paperwork involved with everything and anything associated with the resident, their care, etc., etc...in this day and age of computers, we still do just about everything with paper! ugghh! :bugeyes:

it did not take me long to realize this was the career for me...i regret having taken so long to figure that out. i've been told it's never too late and so, i continue on. every day is an opportunity for me to make a difference in the lives of those i care for. i go home at night with a sense of satisfaction...it is great!

...just my two :twocents:

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Well heres it goes I LOVE IT...the staff is great the residents can talk to me I have half the residents I used to have and it has been a great experience I have worked for thursday and friday 13 hours both days to orient and I felt like i was barely even there...good move so far

Just wondering how your new job is going. I am a brand new nurse and start my first job in an assisted living facility on Tuesday. Nervous as can be but your posts have been very encouraging. Please let me know how you're liking it so far. Thanks!!

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Can anyone help; I was hoping if you can help me! I'm currently a new LPN! I recently interviewed with a director at an assisted living facility and have to interview with the DON next week. He indicated that it will be a more hands on interview and that it'll be technical! Can you please tell me what to expect on an interview with a DON? Do they pimp you and check your skill level, is there a written exam, what type of questions should I be prepared to answer?

Thanks alot if you can help!

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Specializes in LTC.

I know this thread is old. But its nice to see how nurses do in assisted living. I just accepted a position in AL and can't wait to start. I did start orientation but tomorrow will be a full day and I can't wait.

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

Well I think that if depends on the facility, have once worked in a supposed "assisted living" as a CNA when I was in school, but the reality was that some of the residents had pretty significant levels of need. Most facilities require residents to move into a more skilled unit if they need more skilled nursing services, but not that place.

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Specializes in Geriatric,LTC.

I am so happy I came to read this thread....I am about to start at an AL tomorrow and I am grateful for all the information on this thread. I hope I will like it too....oh well...we'll see. I will just give it my best shot. :redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe soooo nervous....

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I have an interview at an AL tomorrow. I am in school and hope that they have weekends available. I was told that I will have to take a test and fill out a survey before the actual interview. Hope this turns out well~

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