For those working OR who have worked in LTC

pinkfish333 · Sep 20, 2012

go and find another job.. even in the best long term care homes, its so hard to get everything done , and done right-- within the shift.... look for something better.. its too bad the residents are the ones who suffer in the end, and the place wont keep good nurses with a conscience. this is not worth your license..

BelieveN · Sep 20, 2012

I can relate, and as said by others its pretty much same everywhere. However, I did find it much better when you got to know the residence. But if your in skilled care those residence don't stay long and plus had high turn over of employees as well. So its either stick with it or dont.

Lahall · Sep 20, 2012

Unfortunately this is the norm in most LTC facilities. I have worked in a few. The last one almost made me give up Nursing! Understaffing is a big problem! No more LTC facilities for me!

Lahall · Sep 20, 2012

I couldn't agree with you more. It's a shame that it is this way. There's just no way to get everything done and do it right! The only time we had enough staff is when the "State" was coming in. I wanted to get out of nursing as well. I'm now searching for a job that is not LTC. I took a year break.

sbostonRN · Sep 20, 2012

Good luck at the new facility! Yes, you're right that money isn't everything :)

RN1822 · Sep 21, 2012

Good Luck at your new facility. I worked in several different positions in LTC for the last 8 years and was very happy to get out of LTC. My years of experience were exactly what you described. I am now working at a LTAC and I love it. That being said, I am also doing agency shifts at a local small LTC that is 5 star rated and I love it. It is nothing like the years of experience I had in traditional troubled large LTC. I am hoping that your new facility is a good fit and a great place to work!

SarcasticLVN · Sep 21, 2012

It's hard let me tell you! When I first started my ltc job I was so scared during orientation (especially when you don't know the residents and you double check that arm band a million times to make sure it's the right patient lol), but you can do it! I have my routine now and it's a lot easier.. Will never be a walk in the park, but once your on the floor alone you do your thing :) good luck'

LPN2RNn2011 · Sep 21, 2012

Hello all! I wanted to post this in the general discussion to get input from those who have worked in the field at any point....
I am at LTC facility which as gotten several 'dings' from the state. It has a poor rating. I am new here and orienting. I have over 30 patients who have to get meds at 5 pm and then again at 9 pm. LOTS of meds. LOTS. They also get treatments too. LOTS of them.
The CNA's do not do much. SO... how in the world do you pass 100 plus drugs and do all the treatments in 8 hours... PLUS distractions?? The LTC facility that I work for WILL NOT LET YOU STAY past your time... NO OVERTIME.. you get in trouble...you have to be OUT in 8 hours. So HOW are you supposed to do all this?? I use a 'dated' med cart that I drag down the hall behind me with MARS and old charts. No computers (Pyxis) like I am used too.
I see rushing and med errors. I do not feel safe here. It seems impossbile to get it all done AND done RIGHT.

I feel your pain! I used to work for a LTC facility and only worked there for about 3 months because of the exact same reasons! I feel there is NO WAY to do your job and do it right in only 8 hrs! PERIOD! I am OCD about doing things that I have been assigned to right the first time around. I would suggest run like hell! I won't ever work for another LTC facility as long as I hold a license!

Another one of my biggest complaints was when I would be going through the MAR, they would have pictures of the residents with makeup on, hair did, sitting up, looking all good and such! When I would go into the residents room (if I wasn't chasing them down the hall) they would be a hot mess! They wouldn't be all looking good and such as in the picture so how in the world am I to know that this IS the resident needing this drug if I have no way of identifying them!? Grrrrrrr :banghead:

LPN2RNn2011 · Sep 21, 2012

It's hard let me tell you! When I first started my ltc job I was so scared during orientation (especially when you don't know the residents and you double check that arm band a million times to make sure it's the right patient lol), but you can do it! I have my routine now and it's a lot easier.. Will never be a walk in the park, but once your on the floor alone you do your thing :) good luck'

At the LTC facility I worked at they didn't have ANY arm bands! They only use those in the hospital here. No scanning arm bands, drugs, etc. They had no way of idenitying the residents other than the pictures they had in the MAR. They said that arm bands were degrading because this was their home not a hospital.