Geriatric Nursing VS Acute Nursing

Published

I have was a CNA for 8 years and now a RN (for 8 months) I am working at an Assisted Living Facility I enjoy my job and love the hours. I find working with elderly population rewarding. I got offered an Internship at a hospital (great opportunity/experience to get my foot in the door and open numerous options for my career). I am stuggling with what to do. I see all these "horrible" post about working at the hospital (how you are underappreciated, stepped on, overworking, understaffed, bullied, tons of drama, hate the hours, stress etc). It leaves me wondering/confused about this opportunity? With the aging population do I gear towards specializing in geriatrics? Am I supposed to be a nurse i hospital (like everyone thinks or expects?) Those of you in acute care and those of you in geriatric what helped influence your job? Where is nursing headed it seems like almost all places (nursing homes & hospitals where I live) are trying to making nursing cuts. Is it better to get all this experience through the internship? or Is it better to have the schedule you want?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i think this depends on you and your family. I am a recent rn grad..i started 2nd shift with promise of first shift within 6 months..then i was told i had first shift the week before christmas and am still waiting on the official schedule ( in ltc). I see others prn working first and im getting discouraged wondering why i haven't started first shift they offered me. I too feel underappreciated. We too are understaffed, and have tons of drama. I truly enjoy my residents and where i work but im getting no answers after 3 months of being told i was going to first.. They now say a few weeks, but my trust is broken. I would say weigh it with your goals of where you want to be in several years. What is your ultimate dream job, and does it want experience in acute care? im still determining where i want to be and if experience in acute care is needed. I love my ltc residents but my goals tell me that i need acute care experience. I don't want to start over at another job however. So that is my best advice. Research where you want to be ultimately and go from there! Hope this helps some!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

LTC facilities are not the "nursing homes" they used to be. I am seeing alot more patients that are skilled come in. I've done more discharges to home in the last six months than in the previous 10 years. Many people come in for PT and to heal from ortho surgeries and get sent back home. There are some things you still won't see in a LTC setting but it is changing quickly.

And not being appreciated, overworked, and understaffed? That is about everywhere you go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

My clinical background is in med surg and acute care (4 years as a student). While I am very glad to have the experiences, I don't plan on working anywhere but the OR in a hospital. I had a 4 month placement in the OR and loved it. Those floors are always very short staffed. Currently, I'm a charge nurse in LTC and I really enjoy working with the elderly. I'd rather work LTC than the hospital any day. Our cases are also very acute, so I've been able to maintain my skills.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why do you choose LTC over the hospital?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

It sounds like she may have a calling for the elderly. It is a going to be the hotspot of nursing as baby boomers age. LTC can be very rewarding for many people. Geriatrics/gerontology nurses must be resourceful and up on current trends of medicine. It is a highly complex specialty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.
It sounds like she may have a calling for the elderly. It is a going to be the hotspot of nursing as baby boomers age. LTC can be very rewarding for many people. Geriatrics/gerontology nurses must be resourceful and up on current trends of medicine. It is a highly complex specialty.

If you like working with the elderly, you can get plenty of experience with that population on a med surg floor.

I rarely have a shift that doesn't include one or two patients over 80.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

DO nurses perform similar activities in nursing homes and acute geriatric psychiatry units?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment