Acute vs LTC. I think I miss working LTC!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

When I first graduated nursing school I though acute care was the only way to go. I managed to land a jon on Orthopedic surgery right out of nursing school. I liked the job ok but I didn't love it. I worked there for about a year before my husband got a job across the country and we had to move. When I moved to our new city the only job I could get was in LTC. I didn't think this was where I wanted to be working but I needed a job so I took it. I ended up working in LTC for the following 2 years. Deep down I knew I really loved it but for some reason I always felt like acute care is the "best job"... I don't know why I felt like this I guess maybe it just comes from others opinions and to people outside of nursing it just sounds more important to be working in the hospital. Maybe I was somehow brainwashed into thinking this too haha.

Anyway my husband and I have moved again this past summer and this time I got a job as a med/surg float in large acute care hospital.What I have found is that I really miss LTC!! I want more than anything to go back! I miss the routine of it, I miss the relationships with the residents and feeling that you really can make a difference in their lives. I miss knowing exactly whats going on with my residents all the time, i miss being able to notice the slightest change in them, I miss the staff I worked with.

Has this happened to anyone else? Usually you hear people can't wait to get out of LTC but I can't wait to get back in!!

I really don't like the acuteness of the pt's in the hospital, I hate the unpredictability, I hate doing admissions and discharges all the time, and I don't like the snottiness of a lot of the staff. I feel like I was so much better at my job in LTC. Here at the hospital I feel extremely inadequate.Anytime ask questions to senior staff they look at me like I'm an idiot. Ugg I want to go back to LTC but feel I should put in at least a year here.

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Specializes in ED.

There is alot to learn from a med/surg floor, alot of good skills that you could take with you back to ltc after a year if you want?

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Specializes in ED.

Plus it looks better on a resume if you stay for a year or more doesn't it?

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hmm this is interesting. i started off at med-surg too right after nursing school because i wanted to earn my "street credit" :D then i did some time in step down neuro. by end of the year, the only job offer that i have is LTC so this is truly interesting. can't wait to find out life in LTC!

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Follow your heart---if you can survive on the salary in LTC, then go do it; you'll be happier doing something you really love.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

Lol I went to RN school to get out of LTC so I hope I like acute care if I can ever get a job in there! :D

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
i miss knowing exactly whats going on with my residents all the time, i miss being able to notice the slightest change in them, i miss the staff i worked with....usually you hear people can't wait to get out of ltc but i can't wait to get back in!!...i really don't like the acuteness of the pt's in the hospital, i hate the unpredictability, i hate doing admissions and discharges all the time,..... i feel like i was so much better at my job in ltc. here at the hospital i feel extremely inadequate.i want to go back to ltc but feel i should put in at least a year here.

why do you think you have to stay a year? i think you should try to get a per diem job in a ltc. not all ltcs are the same. some may be staffed poorly and run by incompetent managers! if you like the per diem job, request to go full-time and put in your two weeks at this job.

everything you like about ltc, i hate. everything you hate about the hospital setting with the exception of the snotty co-workers, i love! so, acute care does not sound like it is for you at this time. not to say that one day you will not change your mind, but ltc seems the way to go for now.

btw, yes i know of nurses who feel the same way. have you thought about furthering your education in geriatrics as well? i have a friend who is working on a msn and will be starting a phd program shortly after. her complete focus is geriatrics because, like you, she loves ltc and absolutely hates acute care.

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Can you work part time at an LTC and per diem or contingent at the hospital?

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Specializes in Neuro/Med-Surg.

you feel that way because of the hierarchy in nursing - ICU nurses are "the best" and look down on the floor, med/surg nurses look down on LTC, etc etc. Acute care is supposed to be "real nursing" where as everyplace else is for people who can't find a job in acute care.

At the end of the day who the hell cares? Work where you like, find a job you love whether it be in the ICU of a large teaching hospital or a tiny nursing home. It's YOUR job and your life. We are programmed as nurses in school to want to do acute care. If it floats your boat, do it. If not, go elsewhere.

I have worked both acute care and acute rehab. . .and I like both for completely different reasons. But the rehab nursing is looked down on.

However, be careful because like the other posters said, not all LTC is the same. Your old place sounds great. . but you may find an LTC that is short-staffed, full of snotty people and poorly managed and then you would hate it. So, look carefully. But don't be afraid to be honest with yourself about what you want :)

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Specializes in LTC.

Life is too short to be working at a job that you don't like that much. As one post said try per deim at a home first, and see if you like the place. Not all nursing homes are the same. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Ambulatory Care.

The best thing about nursing is that there are so many options. Everyone can find the niche that makes her happy. If you are not happy doing acute care you will not be great at it- you might be adequate or even good but you won't excel like you would in long term care. The best way to find a good facility is to ask the CNAs, they all work multiple jobs or know someone who works multiple jobs and are a wealth of gossip.

Life is too short to be unhappy in a job, especially when there is a job out there you love.

I could be biased because I think LTC deserves nurses who want to be there as opposed to nurse biding their time to something"better"

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Specializes in Acute Spine, Neuro, Thoracic's, LTC.

Thanks for the responses ladies :)

Good point though about being careful of what LTC facility I choose to work. I know there are some out there that are less that ideal. I think that when choosing to work in LTC one needs to be very careful about which facility they choose to work in.

My husband and I are thinking of moving to Alberta this summer so I may just stick it out here in acute care till then. If we do end up moving I will probably look into going back to LTC. Maybe I will start researching the different facilities now and try to find a good one to apply to. Wish me luck, I know there are a lot of duds out there. I just happened to luck into a really great place before.

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