Does anyone really enjoy LTC?

[ihollie]

I've always wanted to be a nurse but I wasn't sure, if I was cut out to be one. At my mothers suggestion I took CNA training. I LOVED caring for the residents. I knew right away I wanted to go to nursing school and work in a LTC or assisted living.

That was back in 2002, I never got the opportunity to work beyond my training, despite being hired by the facility I trained in. (My son was diagnosed with a wilms tumor a week after my training ended. He good now !!)

I have gotten back on track and I am taking my prerequisites for the LVN program. But every time the subject of "where do you want to work" comes up, everyone including professors, former CNA's, graduated LVN's going on to RN's are always negative saying "you'll hate it", "you weren't there long enough to see the bad", "if you go LVN you'll be trapped there too" it's all meds"

It's really been getting into my head. Does anyone out there really enjoy LTC as I did?

[jjjoy, LPN]

Yes, this is one of the reasons I stay in LTC. You know your residents, you know when there is something wrong and you know their meds. It is in my mind easier NOT to make a mistake..as long as you keep to the 3 checks and not start pulling by heart.

Good point. In my one experience with LTC as pretty much a newbie I got three days orientation and was a "float" meaning I had a different hallway of patients each shift. So not only was I trying to figure everything out but I couldn't get to know my patients because they were different each day. I'm sure that if I'd stayed awhile, I'd have gotten at least somewhat familiar with most of them, but I couldn't make it through the months between - NOT being familiar with them, always being behind in my work, passing meds late, and always being chastised about not having this or that done. ("Haven't you got it YET?!?!?!?" uh, obviously not "Are you STILL passing meds? You know you're late, don't you?" uh, yeah, I'd be doing it faster if I could "You know, we can't do your work for you forever." uh, yeah, thanks for the help).

I guess not all places are that way, though. I sure hope not! :)

[withasmilelpn]

I have been a nurse for 36 years and was a NA for 3 years before that. Hve only done LTC. Yes I have been in the good and the bad. The bad places have made me a better nurse(more vocal about concerns and sticking up for Pt. rights). The good ones made me love my job. The ones with outstanding administration have guided me to where I am today in nursing mangement -who leads by example(answers call lights, does a med pass, walks folks who need help). LTC is not for everyone and it is not easy but when a patient's family tells you how much you mean to them by helping their loved one it is worth it.

Could you please come work for us?!

[Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN]

When I was in nursing school, I swore I'd NEVER want to work LTC. Then while doing clinicals, I changed my mind and came to love it! I left for 8 years and did hospice, now I'm going back to school, so I'm going back to LTC again. I'm going to be working 12 hour shifts at night, so I'll be freed up during the day for classes. I'm really looking forward to starting back next week.

[kcochrane]

Good point. In my one experience with LTC as pretty much a newbie I got three days orientation and was a "float" meaning I had a different hallway of patients each shift. So not only was I trying to figure everything out but I couldn't get to know my patients because they were different each day. I'm sure that if I'd stayed awhile, I'd have gotten at least somewhat familiar with most of them, but I couldn't make it through the months between - NOT being familiar with them, always being behind in my work, passing meds late, and always being chastised about not having this or that done. ("Haven't you got it YET?!?!?!?" uh, obviously not "Are you STILL passing meds? You know you're late, don't you?" uh, yeah, I'd be doing it faster if I could "You know, we can't do your work for you forever." uh, yeah, thanks for the help).

I guess not all places are that way, though. I sure hope not! :)

We have two halls. As a new nurse, I had 6 weeks orientation. That included 1 week as acting as a CNA to get to know the patients. I could have asked for more time if needed. I got about 3 weeks on each hall.

When I worked days I did have to float to other units about 1/mth. I did not like being on unfamiliar territory. On nights I rarely float. I really wonder if the higher ups understand just how much the chance of error increases when you don't know you residents.

[jjjoy, LPN]

We have two halls. As a new nurse, I had 6 weeks orientation. That included 1 week as acting as a CNA to get to know the patients. I could have asked for more time if needed. I got about 3 weeks on each hall.

It's good to hear about places that support their new nurses and help them succeed!

[Hausfrau]

Yes I love LTC but never worked LTC as a nurse, only CNA!!