Don't feel sorry for me because I work in long term care...

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I love working in long term care. In nursing school, LTC was touted as being the least desirable job in nursing. Instructors warned students that assessment skills would be lost and future employment opportunities outside of LTC would be nil.

When I proudly attained my first job as an RN, I was surprised at how many people, (lay persons as well as healthcare workers) responded apologetically when I told them my job was at a LTC/SNF. "Everybody has to start somewhere", and "You'll find something better, don't worry" were the typical comments, instead of "Congratulations!".

After two-plus years in LTC, I still love it. While each day presents challenges, each day also brings joyous rewards. I am surrounded by people who have made amazing contributions to society throughout a lifetime. Their generation worked hard to help build our country into a land of promise. There are so many who sacrificed. Brilliant men and women from every walk of life. Women who stepped way outside of societal norms of the day to pursue master's and doctorate degrees. Men with full-ride scholarships who gave up that opportunity to serve in the armed forces. Talented authors, actors, musicians, engineers. The list is endless.

So here they are. These amazing people who have given so much and lived so much and their greatest joy is that I greet them with a smile and a gentle touch on the shoulder and give them a few minutes out of my day. I am humbled to be among such greatness.

I am a registered nurse. I choose to work in this specialty. I applaud all nurses in their chosen specialties. Be proud!

By the way~my assessment skills are just fine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's how I feel about med/surg.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Being grateful is a great way to feel happy. Finding joy in the little things and letting bad experiences roll off is great advice. Thanks for sharing this. Many ppl who seem so unhappy with the nursing profession can learn a thing or two from nurses like you :)

Sent via my iPhone using allnurses.com ❤️

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been in LTC for almost 15 years...I am STILL very proud of my chosen path. I could not imagine doing anything else. We are there for the final journey of these patients lives and it is truly a blessing to be given the opportunity to make it the BEST it can be for both the patient and their family! Hold your head high!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, the general public doesn't think you're a "real" nurse unless you work in a hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My dad's in a SNF. And I love all the nurses that care for him. They r top notch. They don't compare to any nurse in the hosptial on the floors. In the SNF they did head to toe assess right from the second he came. When he was on the hospital floors. Bunch of idiots where he was.

I don't do LTC (ER is my passion) but I have great respect to those who do it :). Thank you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yeah, the general public doesn't think you're a "real" nurse unless you work in a hospital.

People don't realize many things until they are in a particular situation. I'm no longer concerned with whether I am perceived to be a "real nurse" by those who simply don't know. My residents and their family members know that I am a nurse, as does the medical director and the EMT's who respond in times of need. I have noticed that many of my peers in a variety of health care settings aren't satisfied because they compare themselves to some fictional super nurse. "I don't have a BSN, MSN." "I work in a rural hospital-big city hospital nurses get all the glory." You name the setting, you will find nurses who feel they aren't measuring up somehow. Here's the true test for me-does my patient know I am his/her nurse? Does he/she know that I will advocate for unmet needs? In the end, that's where it matters to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

Long term care is a particularly difficult field, and I know I couldn't do it. I'm so happy that you've found your niche there!

And I'll bet your assessment skills are superior! I have all sorts of technology to help ME with my assessments; yours are based on what you can see, feel, smell and hear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Keep that attitude, more folks in all walks of healthcare should have that perspective!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MDS/ UR.

LTC is not what it was even 10 years ago. We are doing things that would never have been entertained in a LTC not so long ago or at the start of my working days as a new nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the great comments!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Rose...you summarized my exact feelings!!! I entered this journey in nursing with a dream of being an ob nurse but on my first day of clinicals in ltc I found my true passion...☺️ I truly love the longevity of the relationships you can build and each of my patients touch my heart in a special way. I feel very blessed to share my days with them and they appreciate me just the same!! I am proud to be where I am and could not imagine doing anything else. The job is very challenging at times but thankfully some of us find joy in it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment