Dilemma: Should I settle? Is it worth it in the long run?

caliotter3 · Aug 27, 2009

If I were you I would take the LTC position. But I would consider the local job availability first. That one manager was giving you her opinion. Most managers will be astute enough to realize that people take the job that is available and are open to training for any position. Just because you spend a few months working in LTC does not mean you are forever ruined for the acute care environment. If you can do without the income and do not anticipate an especially difficult time getting a hospital position, then hold out. But if you think it might be six months or more, no, take the offered job. Good luck.

OC_An Khe · Aug 27, 2009

To me it is a matter of personal finances. Do you need the full time position, with benefits now or can you wait a considerable length of time. As for LTC harming hospital hiring given that you are a recent grad I don't feel that it would hinder you. After several years in a LTC facility it might but then it would probably be because the hospital would treat you as a new grad even though you had been working LTC for awhile.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Aug 27, 2009

Just my :twocents: but it seems like a no win situation to me.

A nurse manager I spoke with told me that she is hesitant to hire nurses from nursing homes because she feels that RNs from nursing homes do not really utilize the skills needed to perform on a "regular" hospital floor.

I have read what you wrote in other posts but I have also read posts of "new" grads who have not been able to secure work because they graduated to long ago and are now considered out of practice. :banghead:

So you have to decide just how long past graduation you wish to remain unemployed without making yourself become unemployable. You also have to balance this with your financial needs. How long can you afford to not work or to volunteer?

If you need a job then take the job. It's funny but when there was a "shortage" the hospitals didn't care where their nurses were previously employed. I think that in the future when the "shortage" returns this will hold true and I also believe that the job market will improve. I can't say when maybe a year or two or even three who knows?

The thing is that hospitals will eventually have to start hiring because the older nurses who planned to retire but had to put it off because of the recession cannot continue to work indefinitely. So some positions must open up in the not to distant future. In the meantime a person has got to eat and make rent...so take the job if you can't find anything else.

bigfishsmallpond · Aug 27, 2009

Working in the LTC facility is similar to med-surg experience. You will be able to assess, evaluate delegate, etc....all critical thinking milestones that new grads need to develope.This manager who said she doesn't hire nurses from LTC is severly narrow minded. There are many skills to learned there, as well as rendering the compasionate care. Don't our elderly and infirm deserve excellent nursing care? To be honest, tho, you seem negative about working in this type of situation, so frankly, I don't think you are the right candidate. Hold out for the "perfect" hospital job-and good luck. Most managers I know are reluctant to hire nurses with no actual experience!

Mariposa2009, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2009

Thanks for the replies!!!!! I truly appreciate them. Financially, I'm ok. I'm still living with my parents and I'm sure they wouldn't mind keeping me for a while longer. :wink2: Now, I did not mean to offend anyone by using the term "settle" in regards to working at a LTC facility. It's just that everyone has been telling me that med/surg or some type of hospital experience is the best for a new grad. So I guess that a hospital position is all I've really considered until this point. I would not mind working in a nursing home or with the geriatric population in general. I was just worried that starting off in a LTC facility would limit my opportunities in the future. According to the nurse manager I spoke to, it does. Like I said I'm :confused: .

Scyankee · Aug 27, 2009

Knowing that you have been offered a job in LTC, than why not take the clinic job for now and keep applying for the hospital positions you are looking for. Remember that with the experience you gain working at the clinic you would also make you more marketable for another position at a LTC facility if you are still having a hard time finding the hospital position you desire.

Neelum RN · Aug 27, 2009

When you will work in a hospital (hopefully soon), the majority of the population will be elderly. We hardly ever have patients under 40 or so. Personally I think working at LTC with elderly population is a great start. Some of my close friends work there and are excellent nurses.

LTC nurses are unsung heroes! I salute them. We take care of their difficult patients for a week or so and send them back. I always wonder how they take care of these very ill, often confused patients day after day. I appreciate them very much.

I believe it will be a good permanent position for you. In Flu clinic you will learn how to administer IM injections. In LTC you will become familiar with g.tubes, trachs, neb tx., straigth cath., wound care and much more.

Plus some LTC offer great benefits!

Good Luck!

mappers · Aug 27, 2009

Think of it this way: which would be more limiting to your future, having LTC experience or having NO experience? I know the answer to this one. Which would be better, LTC experience or Flu Clinic experience? Not so sure of the answer to this one because I'm not sure what the clinic would involve. Remember the saying, "A bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush?" Will this applies to this situation. Don't include a mythical Med Surg job that doesn't exist unless you've had an interview where you really think an offer is only a few weeks away. Because when 6 months goes by and you still don't have a job, you'll be wishing for the LTC experience.

And you can always keep looking even after you take it.

nyteshade, BSN · Aug 27, 2009

I hate how nursing schools are instilling these thoughts in future nurses and limiting their outlook. This robs our nurses from making choices from the heart. This is what creates the "I'm a better nurse than you..." BS.

husker_rn, RN · Aug 27, 2009

I'm back in med-surg after several years in skilled LTC. Seems to be a misconception that all there is to do is pass pills. I'm here to tell you the LTC is much more challenging in many ways. Don't have docs in every day, so assessment skills are put to the test often. IV's, foleys, tube feeders, wounds, etc. are done daily. Multi system failure over and over in most residents. I worked much harder in LTC than I do in med-surg.

NC Girl BSN · Aug 27, 2009

I worked in LTC for almost 2 yrs before going to a Neuroscience floor at the hospital. My manager didn't have any problems with it at all. I still had to train for 2.5 months. It was a great asset. Do what you feel. You in a good position financial wise. I not keen on Med surg so don't settle for that just because of the old say" Get your 1 yr of Medsurg experience first." I hope I never have to work in it.