First job out of nursing school in LTC...any advice

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I start orientation at a LTC facility tomorrow. This will be my first job out of nursing school. At the end of the interview the DON that done my interview said that LTC was unlike anything I had experienced during clinical & that for a new grad it can be over whelming at times.

If there is anyone out there that has any advice they could offer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you don't volunteer, I think that is a big mistake on your part. I haven't even been accepted to nursing school and I've already been volunteering for a number of months now. The reality of life is that getting a job is not only based on your experience but also based on who you know. If you have been volunteering, its allowed you to make nursing contacts and to understand what nursing really is about. If you don't volunteer or already work in health care, the danger is that employers will see that as a big negative on your part. They may see you as not being serious about being a nurse and not wanting to learn about nursing outside of an academic environment (i.e, practicums). As many have posted, networking is key; if you don't volunteer, start volunteering a.s.a.p, preferably in the area of nursing you'd like to be in. Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Hospice.

One more thing:

Over the years as a LTC nurse, I've realized that I'm not just the nurse to the resident in the bed, but in some ways, I'm the nurse for the family of that resident too. Families of residents in long term care require care and attention at times. Don't be afraid to offer / provide it.

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Whoops, please ignore my response, it was meant for another thread! Sorry!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
- DONT LOSE YOUR KEYS TO THE MEDCART!

and don't put them in your pocket after counting to go home. (Done that) Is is really a LONG drive back to the facility.:o

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/ Long Term Care.

Wear comfortable shoes! Remember... it will not be nearly as easy as the person training you will may make it seem! They have a routine. There are a lot of good tips already posted. Memorize the resident names. Been in LTC 8 yrs and still love it! FYI_ I cried, on my way home, for a week when I was on my own. Don't be affraid to ask for help, everyone has been in your shoes at least once.

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Specializes in LTC.

Don't give up! At first you will feel like that you'll never be able to get in the groove of things, but trust me you will.

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I think this is one of my favorite threads on this website (I am a religious reader and a pre-nursing student). The reason being that any less than ideal situation can be viewed in a positive light. LTC is the last stop for many people, and nurses have the privilege of helping make a person's final days/weeks/years a positive experience. I know that can be forgotten in the stress, hustle and bustle of work, but as a nurse in any setting it is so important to remember the bigger picture - no matter what nursing job a person has, they can choose to be happy and thus make others happy as well.

Disclaimer: I am not a nurse, in fact I am years away from becoming a nurse, so I technically have no idea what I'm talking about. But I am a reader of this website so that perhaps someday I will. hehe

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

anopenheart....it seems you have an open mind as well!

Take your time...find your own way...don't let anyone else tell you to take shortcuts.

It's a great place to learn new skills...especially time management and the art of being tactful.

Not every med change requires a family consent.

Ask plenty of questions. I've been in the business for close to 30 years (yikes) and I still don't know everything...

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC.
anopenheart....it seems you have an open mind as well!

Take your time...find your own way...don't let anyone else tell you to take shortcuts.

It's a great place to learn new skills...especially time management and the art of being tactful.

Not every med change requires a family consent.

Ask plenty of questions. I've been in the business for close to 30 years (yikes) and I still don't know everything...

Best of luck to you.

My nursing instructor told us the day u stopped learning was the day u needed to get out of nursing.

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

I think LTC gets less respect because it's generally lower paid than hospital. It doesn't really make lots of sense, other than ageism, so I agree with a previous poster.

I didn't expect to like LTC as much as I do. Just love my patients, most of them are grateful and sweet human beings, so I get paid alot in appreciation, which I like alot. I am busy as heck, and like the autonomy to assess, and have my assessment mean something to the docs who rely on us to notify them if there's a change in status. I am not so wild about the documentation, but I am getting used to it, and we will have computerized charting. I hope it will speed that part of the work, and make it better.

I really like my work, and this facility has deep pockets, so we have bladder scanners, various kinds of lifts, and several of each type, we have a nice jacuzzi bath which we can use for residents who require a lift in and out of the tub, sand beds, wound vacs if they need them, and such. We get plenty of residents from other places that have decubs, but we don't generate very many at all. I have a dedicated med aide which passes meds, so I can focus on taking care of diabetics, wound care, treatments, IV's, and all sorts of tubes. The CNAs are very good, and trustworthy, and my commute is 15 minutes. I am so lucky!

Jane

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Thank you soo much for your input!

Because of good people like you , us new nurses have some idea of what is ahead of us !!!

I look foward to hearing more advice from you, it sounds like you have a world of wisdom that people such as myself need soo much !

I just wanted to let you know that you're doing your fellow man a great service by sharing your knowledge !!!

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