Burnt out on LTC. Suggestions PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

Hello all,

I have been in ltc since 1998. I was a cna for 8 years then worked full time double shift weekends and went to school full time m-f for my lpn. It is now 4 years later and I am more than burnt out; Im not clinically satisfied or challenged anymore. I desperately want more acute or subacute experience to learn more and to upgrade my skills and critical thinking but its just not happening for me. I only work ltc bc its the only job that I can get here in the Atl metro area and even that's drying up. I'm tired of hating where I work; I love my residents' though, always have since the beginning and I absolutely love being a nurse and Im very good at what I do. For me, its just time for something new. I need to be mentally challenged, I thrive on that. I want to be excited to go to work again instead of working a job "just to pay the bills." I apply home health jobs just for the prospect of getting out of the ltc rat race; although I would love being able to give patients the one on one that they deserve not to mention the flexibility. Im tired, frustrated, and confused. I try to stay encouraged and not cry about it but its very, very hard. I just am really at my wits end and I just dont know what to do anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions? I'll take all that I can get.:crying2:

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Honey, there isn't a lot out there right now, and I would imagine that it is even more limited for LPNs.

You might be able to get into a sub-acute rehab floor but really, we have one of those, and it's very much the same stuff but with IVs and more mobility. And even in the hospital you've mostly got geriatric peeps who got really sick.

Home health doesn't afford any more "quality time" than does LTC. Nurses everywhere have higher patients loads with higher acuity.

Maybe you need a vacation?

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lpn to rn bridge or home health as you mentioned.

nursing is just a job and it's better than most jobs out there.

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

Just got off vaction in dec; I need a job!:lol2: Seriously though, I would love to work sub-acute because of the extra experience. I did a short stint in sub-acute in 2008 but left because they made the nurses work short daily, share a med cart with up to 2 other nurses not including yourself,it was just too risky for me with the narcotics and all, plus with all the new admissions that came daily, it was rare that management would assist you with the paperwork or new patient orientation while you complete your med pass for the betterment of the team and the patients. Other than that, i loved the fast paced environment and the prospect of getting into the routine of learning how to draw my own labs and insert new peripheral lines. In my opinion, as a LPN those skills are priceless and only help you when you begin clinicals in a RN program. Im trying to be the best that I can be; and right now, Im not. Most days, I feel like I just push pills for a living. I "live" for a patient in distress (not my own though) because I feel like the skills that I do have, I get to use them. I just hate to be "out of the loop" and "easily depensible." Know what I mean?

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
lpn to rn bridge or home health as you mentioned.

nursing is just a job and it's better than most jobs out there.

Im already in the process of trying to start my pre-reqs for the RN program, Id be a fool not to. Trust me, I cant wait! I dont look forward to working full time and going to school full time but I did it before and I doggone if I dont do it again. I can sacrifice "having a life" for the ability of "having a life."

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I don't blame you. I couldn't take it. I know myself, and I would rather work at a bookstore or pet supply store, or something else. Anything but that.

mc3

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Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

LTC can be monotonous at times, same meds, same residents, same routine...but it is a job and they are sort of scarce lately. Maybe a change in floors, try and take some classes or as someone suggested...a vacation.

I've worked in health care for ten years, first as an aide then as an LPN, so I can appreciate your frustration. I have taken courses in several different areas (non-nursing) just to keep myself challenged. I also took advantage of some lectures at the hospitals in my area, many of which were not totally applicable to my job and I volunteered at the rape crisis center.

Sometimes it does help to think, it is just a job, you do your shift and go home. It's only eight hours..don't let it ruin the other sixteen!

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
LTC can be monotonous at times, same meds, same residents, same routine...but it is a job and they are sort of scarce lately. Maybe a change in floors, try and take some classes or as someone suggested...a vacation.

I've worked in health care for ten years, first as an aide then as an LPN, so I can appreciate your frustration. I have taken courses in several different areas (non-nursing) just to keep myself challenged. I also took advantage of some lectures at the hospitals in my area, many of which were not totally applicable to my job and I volunteered at the rape crisis center.

Sometimes it does help to think, it is just a job, you do your shift and go home. It's only eight hours..don't let it ruin the other sixteen!

That's what my sig other says, do your 8 and go home. He always asks me why I let the mgmt and the job itself get to me; honestly I dont know really. What I do know is that I have an innate need to be the "best that I can be." I dont try to be perfect cause I know that I cant live up to the expectation of perfection but I have ALWAYS had a desire to learn "more" and to always know "why" something is happening whether it be a clinical or personal situation. I know it sounds crazy, but I must say its just who I am and it has always served me well. I always want to do something "more" or "more efficient." When it comes to anything, I just want to get to the point in the "most efficient manner" so I can get to my outcome; and when the outcome "comes," I usually have a plan a, b, and c. It is this mode of thinking that has made me a very respected nurse wherever I work. Maybe I do "too much critical thinking.":confused:

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

As far as a vacation goes, I have no time left to do so plus the bills have to get paid.

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I think that you are young and have time. Keep learning. Keep showing up for life. And calm down.

:)

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.

Im trying to learn how; it will come, I just dont know when. I'll keep trying though.

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Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
Im already in the process of trying to start my pre-reqs for the RN program, Id be a fool not to. Trust me, I cant wait! I dont look forward to working full time and going to school full time but I did it before and I doggone if I dont do it again. I can sacrifice "having a life" for the ability of "having a life."

What if you cut back your hours just enough to keep your benefits and find another per diem job on your days off. I have always worked a couple different per diem jobs for the reasons you mentioned. It is very easy to burn out when you do the same thing day after day and have the same stress level and heavy work load. Maybe you could do home care a couple of days and take a little break from the rat race. Good luck.

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