Starting a LTC facility

[Tanker]

Just wanted to get some feedback on an idea. I am a new grad that changed careers from the business world. When I decided to go into nursing I was thinking about what I wanted to do since there are so many opportunities available to nurses. One idea that I had was to open a LTC facility and provide the best possible care. My thinking is that the "baby boomers" are coming of age that there is probably going to be a large demand for this service. I have heard that there are long waiting lists for the good facilities. That is what I would strive for. It isn't just for the money but to provide a service I enjoy doing, doing it well, and caring for folks that need the service.

Is it possible to keep the business afloat and keep great staff? I have read through this board and I hear a lot of folks being burned out and horror stories. Why is it hard to keep the staff? Pay? Staffing? In short staffed facilities is it because of conditions or pay?

Just wondering if I am pipe dreaming or if it is possible to succeed as a "mom and pop" LTC facility. I currently work in an ER and work with pts from 1-90+ yo. I enjoy working with the older population and just talking with them as I can during a busy schedule. I was thinking of first getting a good skill set and understanding of what "good nursing" is and then be able to move on.

Appreciate your input.

[dekatn]

First, I am not a savvy business person. It's been my experience from working in both privately owned and corporate facilities, that private facilities retain staff, have plenty of supplies, good meals and amenities for residents much better than any corporate facility I have worked for. In the one private facility I worked for, we were told up front how much profit the owner expected to make in a fiscal year, therefore, our budget was adjusted, but, we always had plenty of what we needed, so did the residents, and never failed to get bonuses and raises across the board. We had great state surveys. The residents needs were met promptly and effeciently. In the corporate world, I have yet to get a raise, staff turnover is unbelievable, we are consistently working, what we consider short, but according to medicare guidelines we have plenty of staff, never mind that residents aren't taken care of immediately, (except when state surveyers are in the building). The food is deplorable, everybody gets the same thing regardless of diagnosis, eg; diabetic, cardiac. Lights can't be answered in a timely manner, because, there just isn't enough staff to do everything that needs to be done. Administration is more concerned with administrative and corporate things than nursing, we are kinda at the bottom of the barrel, even though, without us, they couldn't survive. All you have to do is go to the corporate websites and you can check out the financial reports. There is less greed involved with most private facilties, or at least the ones I've been involved with. Don't get me wrong, there are pluses and minuses in both worlds. For example, I had to leave the private facility because I couldn't afford the health insurance, over $600 a month, with corporate, it is much more affordable. I would give anything if I could afford to buy my own insurance so I could go back, but it just isn't in the cards at this time.