From acute to LTC

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I'm looking to make a change and get away from the hospital scene. I have applied for and will interview for positions at some LTC/SNFs. Some of the positions I'm being considered for are assistant DON, MDS coordinator, unit manager. I was told that it was not necessary to have LTC experience for these positions. I'm a RN of over 4 years with oncology, telemetry, icu, home health experience. I also taught allied health courses for 2 years. Are there any other RNs who went into LTC management w/o LTC experience?

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

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Have you read thru some of the other posts? They give a pretty good pic of how LTC is. I love LTC, but it is a whole different worlf from acute care. I recomend getting your feet wet first, before taking a management position. How about some agency work just to see if you even like it? The MDS position, for the most part, is paper work but it takes alot of learning to do this (stuff they never taught in nursing school).

I'm not saying it can't be done, but I still recomend learning the floor.

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I think you will find your AC experience will have prepared you adequately for one of the positions you are being considered for. Though it is definitely a different world! Thet big thing I would consider is looking at the resources avialable in the facility and how much training they are willing to provide, especially for an MDS position (if you are in to doing paperwork 90% of the time). Good luck!

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As a long time LTC nurse and with several years as a DON under my belt I just have this to say. LTC care is completely different from acute care. It is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. This is not an exageration. Things that are routine in acute care facilities are absolutely forbidden in LTC. Nurses are held to a higher standard, and families know it. When standards are violated the families are encouraged to report it. Believe me they are well educated and have no hesitation if they feel their loved one has been wronged.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love long term care. I adore the residents and the difference I can make in their lives. Unlike acute care you have a real personal relationship with the residents and their families.

I am sure you will have your choice of jobs. A good nurse is a gem to grab and hang onto. What I am taking so long to say is that which ever position you choose, make sure the facility provides you with the training you need to make your job a success.

Good Luck in your new job!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
As a long time LTC nurse and with several years as a DON under my belt I just have this to say. LTC care is completely different from acute care. It is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. This is not an exageration. Things that are routine in acute care facilities are absolutely forbidden in LTC. Nurses are held to a higher standard, and families know it. When standards are violated the families are encouraged to report it. Believe me they are well educated and have no hesitation if they feel their loved one has been wronged.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love long term care. I adore the residents and the difference I can make in their lives. Unlike acute care you have a real personal relationship with the residents and their families.

I am sure you will have your choice of jobs. A good nurse is a gem to grab and hang onto. What I am taking so long to say is that which ever position you choose, make sure the facility provides you with the training you need to make your job a success.

Good Luck in your new job!

I have been told that only the nuclear power plants actually have more regulations than LTC. I am an MDS nurse who several years ago got a partner with only acute care experience. She "got it" after 6 months or so, but she had a rather rough time in the beginning with her expectations of what LTC was really like. Now I wouldn't trade her for nothing and we laugh about some of her comments when she was a newbie.

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Thank for your responses. I'm still waiting to hear from the facilities. One interviewer said that she felt that I wouldn't be happy long, and that once I was trained I would be overqualified. She feels that my career ambitions long term would not make me a good candidate. The other offered a position as treatment nurse and said that I would most likely be promoted in a couple of months. What do you all think?

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

dgj, I was a critical care nurse and went to LTC. I wanted some geriatric experience on my resume plus the facility I was working for was gonna go out of business. I planned for 2 years as a clinical coordinator but ended up spending 5 years there. I am returning to critical care but stayed per-diem at that LTC facility. Find one where the care givers care and you will find an awesome experience.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
I'm looking to make a change and get away from the hospital scene. I have applied for and will interview for positions at some LTC/SNFs. Some of the positions I'm being considered for are assistant DON, MDS coordinator, unit manager. I was told that it was not necessary to have LTC experience for these positions. I'm a RN of over 4 years with oncology, telemetry, icu, home health experience. I also taught allied health courses for 2 years. Are there any other RNs who went into LTC management w/o LTC experience?

Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

I don't see how anyone without longterm care experience could be an Assistant DNS. The learning curve would be huge.

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