Why dont we get respect as LTC nurses?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hi everyone,

I am hoping for some input to a questions that has been really burning my butt. I am a new nurse, and recently switched from med-surg at a local hospital (loved the job, hated the 12 hour shifts and the 45 minute commute), to a nursing home in my home town. I have spoken to numerous people about my new job, which I have, by the way, found to be very different but no less challenging than the work I was doing before. I am learning every day, and I truly do enjoy the job. I made the choice to change focus due to the fact that I have small children, 5 and 8, and the opportunity I had was a 7-3 shift, mon-thur. The money was less, but the savings in travel and not having to pay daycare made up for that.

Soooo, My big problem is, why is it that it truly seems that so very many nurses seem to look down their noses at long term care and geriatric nursing? I have even had one of my fellow graduates, (we both graduated May, passed the boards in June) actually say "I'm so sorry.":madface:

I couldnt believe my ears. And after I picked my jaw up off the floor, all the things I could/should have said came to me. Of course.

Has anyone else had this experience, or is it just me? And if you have, how do you deal with it? It is bad enough we undervalue and dont respect our elders, but now, I feel as if I have lost respect in the nursing community, (I am generalizing, I know, and I DO know that not every nurse feels this way, please dont feel that I think all nurses feel this way, cuz I do not).

I have been reading the nursing posts from so many of you on this specialty, and I can see that people who have worked in LTC understand. So sorry, I just needed to vent and get some understanding and hopefully advice from some of you more seasoned LTC geriatric nurses. During my med surg experience I felt more like a waitress than a nurse, it was kind of like 'turn em and burn em', without any time to connect with any patients, you were scrambling so hard just to meet their basic needs. I also realize that as a new nurse, I would have gotten better at the scrambling part, but still, after just two weeks at my new position, I already know almost all my 24 residents names, many of their likes and dislikes and have already been able to forge connections. So back to my question, how do you deal with it when you feel like other specialties look down on us?

I have also had ER nurses from the local hospital be VERY condesending to me when calling. Just twice, same nurse both times. And in case you are wondering, I am pretty thick skinned, I dont get my panties in a bunch over any little comment.

Any input would be sooo appreciated.

Thanks,

KristyBRNfortruenow

But the purse snatcher may change, if given the opportunity. After all, Granny may have been pretty wild in her younger years only she got the opportunity/time to change.

I still say Granny has to go. And that doesn't mean I don't like old people... we will all get there one day if we live long enough. There just comes a time to step aside. I'm learning that as I get older.

Though, youth isn't everything. I would give Granny reprieve over a sociopath without a second thought (it is well documented there is no cure for a person with no conscience).

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Well, the purse snatcher will most likely be a burden on the group that's trying to survive. The granny can help care for the child in the group by telling stories from her youth, while the other adults try to keep everyone alive.

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Specializes in critical care transport.

I have not done clinicals in LTC yet (I am a student nurse) but I did bring my standard poodle to a LTC where I used to live.

Let me tell you- those nurses work their butts off. I even brought my dog to the nurse's station because I thought they could use a visit as much as the residents did.

I have the most respect for LTC nurses.

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Specializes in medsurg, clinic, nursing home.

off the subject, but i could use some advice...please. i'm in lpn school and would like to work in ltc. i have worked as a cna in what must have been the worst facility ever but loved my residents and loved the geriactric clinicals. i know this is what i'm suppose to do with my life. any advice on looking for a good facility to work for. i posted this question in the ltc nursing forum and basically was told to avoid places with strong smells and i really should avoid ltc all together. i was a lil disappointed with the response. i would really love to hear some positive things from ltc nurses.

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off the subject, but i could use some advice...please. i'm in lpn school and would like to work in ltc. i have worked as a cna in what must have been the worst facility ever but loved my residents and loved the geriactric clinicals. i know this is what i'm suppose to do with my life. any advice on looking for a good facility to work for. i posted this question in the ltc nursing forum and basically was told to avoid places with strong smells and i really should avoid ltc all together. i was a lil disappointed with the response. i would really love to hear some positive things from ltc nurses.
family care program (will allow more elderly and disabled to be taken care of at home) by medicaid is coming, may be the beginning of the end for ltc facilities!!!
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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Family Care Program (will allow more elderly and disabled to be taken care of at home) by Medicaid is coming, may be the beginning of the end for LTC facilities!!!

In Vermont, the state will pay a family member $10/hr to take care of an elderly family member so they don't have to go to LTC. My facility has 120 beds...of those maybe 15 could be taken care of at home. The rest of them either have multiple illnesses, potential skin issues, dementia, meds with parameters...you name it, they have it. It sounds lovely in theory, but most family members just aren't trained or equipped to care for old,sick people.

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MMM-I think you need a vacation.

I don't need a vacation, thank you. And find your remark insulting. Guess you are one of those nurses who get a chucle at someone elses expense? huh?

What I need is respect. Or atleast someone to validate that offering a nurse half of what she is making is an insult. Why don't they tell you what they are offering over the phone when you ask before the interview and not waste your time?

Or maybe I am just fed up with nursing after 25 years of doing it? And working with nurses like yourself that make cheap shots? And think it ok for you to do it?

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I don't need a vacation, thank you. And find your remark insulting. Guess you are one of those nurses who get a chucle at someone elses expense? huh?

What I need is respect. Or atleast someone to validate that offering a nurse half of what she is making is an insult. Why don't they tell you what they are offering over the phone when you ask before the interview and not waste your time?

Or maybe I am just fed up with nursing after 25 years of doing it? And working with nurses like yourself that make cheap shots? And think it ok for you to do it?

Uhm, I do believe she was kdding. Really.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.
Family Care Program (will allow more elderly and disabled to be taken care of at home) by Medicaid is coming, may be the beginning of the end for LTC facilities!!!

I honestly think that with the Baby boomers "comming of age" we will not see the end of the nursing home setting. we are also being confronted with the "meth Heads" that are in there 30's and 40's .

I work in Long term Care now as an LPN and will continue as an RN. I find the work rewarding and i love my residents. we are always at full capacity.

we will also need the family care program because the waiting list is so long to get in LTC. my opinion for what it is worth.

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I don't need a vacation, thank you. And find your remark insulting. Guess you are one of those nurses who get a chucle at someone elses expense? huh?

What I need is respect. Or atleast someone to validate that offering a nurse half of what she is making is an insult. Why don't they tell you what they are offering over the phone when you ask before the interview and not waste your time?

Or maybe I am just fed up with nursing after 25 years of doing it? And working with nurses like yourself that make cheap shots? And think it ok for you to do it?

Hi, I agree there are certain types on this board that toss around pretty insulting phrases a bit too often. If anybody posts a opinion contrary to theirs, thats when it seems to happen.Sad hey? I am sure we all need a vacation at one time or another , but because someone is venting about the TRUE happenings in LTC is not a reason to try to make them seem ill equiped to deal with their situation. Actually if one is a HUMAN being they are ill equiped to deal with what goes on in LTC, my opinion only. Carry on Nurse MMM , you're OK, but then you dont need me to tell you this.:welcome:
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In Vermont, the state will pay a family member $10/hr to take care of an elderly family member so they don't have to go to LTC. My facility has 120 beds...of those maybe 15 could be taken care of at home. The rest of them either have multiple illnesses, potential skin issues, dementia, meds with parameters...you name it, they have it. It sounds lovely in theory, but most family members just aren't trained or equipped to care for old,sick people.
The Family Care Program is designed to take Medicaid money and use it for NURSING care in the patients home or in an assisted living facility, NURSES will be coming in to the home to help the family member take care of their loved ones.The phylosophy of wharehousing our elderly and disabled IS beginning to shift to keeping them OUT of nursing homes, do some research ,I think you will find that because of the poor care LTCs have provided in the past and continue to provide , the GOVERNMENT has FINALLY made strides to keep our loved ones at home. I have heard you say that most family is ill equiped to take care of their loved ones, most family can learn, PLUS they will have NURSING care come into their homes to help them.In my state the Governer is Democratic and is pushing for this type to be expanded throughout or state.
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I honestly think that with the Baby boomers "comming of age" we will not see the end of the nursing home setting. we are also being confronted with the "meth Heads" that are in there 30's and 40's .

I work in Long term Care now as an LPN and will continue as an RN. I find the work rewarding and i love my residents. we are always at full capacity.

we will also need the family care program because the waiting list is so long to get in LTC. my opinion for what it is worth.

There will probably always be some form of nursing home in the future, but when the Family Care Program or something similar to this gets expanded( which it is in my state), I believe we will see nursing homes either start closing down OR be FORCED to DRASTICALLY improve( which I doubt will ever happen, due to corporate greed).Waiting list in nursing homes, maybe,but in WI there where quite a few nursing homes that were shut down due to POOR CARE and other unsavory reasons.
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