Career After LTC

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, geriatrics some neonatal.

Hello Everyone!

I am hearing more and more that after a nurse has been in long term care for awhile that it is very difficult to get back into a "regular" hospital job. I feel that for the last four years that I have spent in LTC, I know that it is not where I belong and need to move on. It has been so frustrating for me in this capacity since I function in a variety of positions, such as med nurse, unit manager, clinical reimbursement, ect. But I had several resumes and applications sent to about 6 different facilities with not one follow-up. And they make sure that you know that "we will contact you, please don't contact us" kind of thing either by email or on their website.

I also would like to do my own thing, with the knowledge I have of healthcare, not necessarily the license. I do my own holistic wellness consulting and aromatherapy on the side and that feeds my soul. I guess working for a place like Pfeiffer Treatment Center where they do holistic treatment or in NM where the Gerson Clinic is would be my idea of a dream like environment. But, alas I have to start somewhere, and I do feel that getting out of LTC is the right thing to do at this time.

I need to feel like my efforts have more meaning. In the current employment, there really are no reasons for advancement, nurses in general are not sent to conferences and the like to better themselves and the attitudes there are at an all time low.

So, if you have any encouragement or words of wisdom at all, I am all ears. Thanks so much in advance!

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I live in Penn. Dutch Country and I know here holistic healthcare is big amongst the "plain folk". It sounds very exciting! I wish you luck. Merry Christmas:candycane:

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

I have been working on a medsurg unit for 6 months now, although i did work LTC and then on a psych unit after finishing nursing school 3 years ago.

This hospital did not count my prior experience in determining my pay, I was pretty much considered a 'new grad.' I overheard a conversation in human resources when i was doing my 'preemployment paperwork' with the nurse manager telling someone that 'this was the nurse we weren't originally going to hire. we needed someone with experience.' but then goes on to say that since another RN (a family friend who works in the facility) gave me a good personal reference, they were willing to give me a try. But then a couple months later my charge nurse told me that she felt 'i was lacking as a

RN' after coming from a LTC although I asked her how and she didn't really give me a specific example. Something about i have problems 'regrouping.'

i did apply at another hospital that had a new grad program, and i was told there that i would have to apply into that program to be considered.

Yes it does stink that there is such discrimination towards LTC nurses.

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I feel for you I was a 24year nurse who worked in all units in acute care hospital then took a 7 year stint first doing prison nursing then management in LTC when I tried to return to acute care I was told, I was worse then a new grad. (new grad can be taughta)

I decided to take a refresher course then finished at the top. I tried again with them as a reference and I got a job in the ED and here I stay and love it . it is where I used to be and missed it everyday. Keep trying and don't give up. (I am in MA and there is noand there is no shortage of nurses )

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

I've been in LTC since 1992.

A few years ago I decided to work in a hospital. After all the years spent in an SNF, I found out my skills rock! The only thing i didnt know how to do was hang blood. I was shocked at my assignments every night. 6-8 patients. thing was...they were they same type of patients i had at the SNF! so only 6-8 pts was a dream. I enjoyed working in the hospital. I had to keep myself busy though. I drew my own labs, was finally able to do some good total care, learned a ton from everyone i could. i loved being able to work with docs and tons of kickbutt nurses.

i had heard the same thing...LTC nurses arent "real" nurses.I guess i had to prove it to myself that i could do it. well...I invite any hospital nurse to give me one shift on my unit before they say that. I've worked both. LTC is way more stressful and busy but we are all real nurses and do the same job. some of us just do it at a different building.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

funny cause we get lots of hospital RN's looking to earn a few extra "easy bucks" moonlighting night shifts by our Nsg Home and they don't last. They all complain that they never realized how hard the work is- the high patient load, the documentation requirements etc. Since we have 100 beds SNF, our nurses get to keep their skills current- drawing bloods, doing EKG's, inserting catheters etc.

The biggest difference is at the hosp you get different assignments evry shift- at the SNF- you come on to the same set of pts and know everything about your pts as they don't change that much from shift to shift.

If you feel the need- do as was suggested and take a refresher course.

Good Luck, and ignor the naysayers- sometimes we are our own worst enemy

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