Hi all, a question for you. I'm an RN with about a year and a half med surg experience, 3 years home health (as a caregiver) and a few years each in wellness coaching and assisted living. I received a job offer and took it recently to work in a LTC facility in town and I'm looking forward to it. I loved working in home health and feel that LTC will be a better fit than acute care.
That said, time management and organization was difficult for me in M/S and I would find myself overwhelmed sometimes. Can some of you experienced LTC nurses weigh in with any comments on how I can prepare myself? I'm committed to making this work and know that I'll be good at it, but am feeling a little apprehensive at a new specialty.
I really appreciate your post about choosing LTC over acute care. I used to work in LTC/rehab, and I loved that time. I have worked in assisted living prior, and hospice for a very short time. Now, I work at a great hospital, but I miss my rehab days. I had so much autonomy and felt I made such a difference in the lives of my patients. The nurse is often the one who picks up on subtle changes which can make all the difference if acted upon appropriately. In the hospital, I appreciate the opportunity to learn and be exposed to so much, but my heart is not enjoying it. Any nurse could follow the well-versed protocols in the hospital and be just fine, but in outpatient rehab it takes a special kind of common-sense knowledge and skill to be successful. It's a great place for a motivated and hard-working nurse, as it IS hard work.
favthing, as well as the other commenters: thanks for the feedback. The one thing that will keep me from doing well in this new position is self doubt and feeling overwhelmed and out of control (of the workload, not so much myself). Those are going to be my challenges going forward, and I appreciate the comments from those of you who have enjoyed working in LTC.
It's easy to get a negative perspective from reading comments from other LTC nurses, so if anyone else has a comment on their positive experiences, that would be helpful. :)
favthing, APRN
87 Posts
I really appreciate your post about choosing LTC over acute care. I used to work in LTC/rehab, and I loved that time. I have worked in assisted living prior, and hospice for a very short time. Now, I work at a great hospital, but I miss my rehab days. I had so much autonomy and felt I made such a difference in the lives of my patients. The nurse is often the one who picks up on subtle changes which can make all the difference if acted upon appropriately. In the hospital, I appreciate the opportunity to learn and be exposed to so much, but my heart is not enjoying it. Any nurse could follow the well-versed protocols in the hospital and be just fine, but in outpatient rehab it takes a special kind of common-sense knowledge and skill to be successful. It's a great place for a motivated and hard-working nurse, as it IS hard work.