Future in LTC

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I am a nursing student set to complete my RN program in December. I went into school planning on furthering my career in long-term care. I love working in nursing homes and I plan on obtaining a position in one ASAP if/when I pass my NCLEX. However, my classmates tell me that I wasted my time getting my RN and that I should have become an LPN. I chose an RN program because the facilties I worked at never could keep RN's. Most would only stay long enough to get experience and get their "dream jobs". Now that I am completing my program, my instructors and advisors are pushing for me to attempt to work in acute care settings for a year before going to LTC so I can develop my skills?!?! I have no interest in attempting to work in acute care and from what I understand, those jobs are difficult to obtain anyways. Both facilities I work for already are vying to have me as a full-time RN when I become licensed. Am I missing something? Am I making some unknown mistake by going straight into LTC when that is where I want to spend my nursing career?

Any advice or insight is welcome....

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

If you want to work in LTC, do it. People are trying to influence you because rarely do they hear that someone absolutely wants to work in LTC. And getting your RN is definitely not a waste, you have a larger scope of practice and make more money, I don't see the problem.

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Thank you for your advice! I just wanted to be sure that I wasn't making an unforeseen error.

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I've considered LTC and I'm getting my BSN. I worked in LTC as a CNA and I fell in love with the people. I only worked 1 day a week so I didn't get burned out on it. I might not work their full time as an RN, but maybe PRN on the side. I couldn't keep up with it as a CNA, it hurt my back too much.

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