Do you recommend Geriatric Nursing for RN

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

I am a RN with nearly 10 years experience

2 years working with adults in med/surg

4 years working as a pediatric nurse case manager

3 and a half years as a pediatric nurse in a clinic setting.

I am burnt out working in pediatrics. I am trying to figure out what I can/should do next.

I really don't want to go back to the hospital, no L&D,

I do recall enjoying working with the geriatric population in clinicals.

Should I try it, do you recommend it? Would they even hire me considering I have no recent hospital experience/experience working with adults?

[Enthused RN, BSN, RN]

I'm a new grad and I was able to land 2 job offers at LTC facilities by day 10 of my job search. I'm sure you can find something since you are an experienced RN (despite no professional experience in LTC). Good luck!

[LovedRN, BSN, RN]

LTC is my first job too and I don't have any experience. I am sure they will hire you. You can quit any time you want. LTC has a high turnover rate. At my LTC there are only a few people who were there before me.

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

Thank you for your responses! The high turn over is what scares me plus the high patient to nurse ratio that makes I think it dangerous.

[LovedRN, BSN, RN]

I mentioned the high turnover rate because I wanted to let you know that you can try it out and if you don't like it you can quit.

[NurseDirtyBird]

Thank you for your responses! The high turn over is what scares me plus the high patient to nurse ratio that makes I think it dangerous.

The nurse/patient ratio scares you because you come from acute care settings. LTC is NOT acute care. You do not have the acuity you are used to. The goal in LTC/SNF is to maintain or improve a stable condition. Your job as a floor nurse in a facility like that will be medication management, wound care, focused assessments and management of changes in condition as they arise.

I used to think having 18-20 patients was too many, until one day I had 8 patients. I was so bored I had time to sit and chat with patients, clean out the med cart and med rooms, helped the CNAs with their jobs, fed at mealtimes. Longest day ever.

Don't get me wrong, it's a hard job. Turnover is high in poorly managed facilities. There are well managed facilities that maintain long-term staff. Find one. Because of your acute care experience, you will actually have an advantage when looking for employment. Enough of one to ask questions about their staffing. Ask for a tour too.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

I say give it go...just try to apply at one that you have heard good things about. If you can find a private pay facilty, even better! Its a whole different ballgame compared to your experience...however-

once you get the job, try to stick with it for at least three to six months before you decide if you don't like it. Give it a chance and take some time to get on your game and get a system down. LTC is fast paced and can be stressful, it takes working a few months to really get your own system down. Don't leave too soon if you do start there. I love the residents and pace. Very Rewarding!

Best Wishes!

[peaceful2100, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the advice never know how I would really like something until I try it. Right now I am going through a midlife crisis. I don't know what I want to do. I

[aprilpam77]

Sounds like you need a vacation. I am at the same stage. I need to look for a new job too but this time I will take my time looking. Good luck and happy new year 2014 ?

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I'm quite sure your experience would make you an easy hire in an LTC setting, and the fact that you're an RN with experience will make you a likely supervisor hire. If there are LTC facilities with short term rehab, your past hospital experience will likely be a good fit for that area. The nurse/resident ratio is so different from hospitals because they're not the same type of population. On short term rehab you may have some higher acuity residents, but not so much in long term. I've got 30 residents, but most don't even have their vital signs taken every shift. The facility is their home because they require nursing care not available to them in their home, but much of the "nursing care" required is really ADLs. There's no way to know until you try it whether it's a good fit for you. Going in I thought I was going to get experience and try to move on, but really, I don't mind the LTC setting. I'm happy to provide care for my residents and have had some very rewarding experiences during my first year. The sundowning can get on your nerves at times, but it's easier to accept behavior when a resident has dementia rather than rudeness from someone that is alert and oriented. Good luck finding your spot.