Help! Bad LTC Center or Weight Loss Clinic job??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:confused: I recently was hired at a LTC facility working 12 hour shifts. I've been a nurse only a year and most of my experience is from working at a methadone clinic. I just started my new job but have seen that noone seems to stay there, people are constantly quitting or getting fired left and right. I was told by another orientee that when she went to get her background check they told her "this company has so many background checks being done that we cant handle them all. From now on they will have to wait 5 days in order to get the results".

I've been wanting to work in LTC in order to get some sort of 'real' experience. I feel that I havent learned absolutely anything and that if I dont get good experience then I will have a hard time finding jobs in the future. The issue is that now I recieved a call from a weight loss center who want to interview me.

I want to stay at the LTC job for experience, but now Im a litte reluctant to stay do to the crazy turn over rate. But I also am worried that if I take the weight loss clinic job (which hasnt even been offered to me but im thinking ahead just in case) that I wont learn very much there. I also know that I am very lucky to even have a job so I dont want to seem ungrateful. I'm not sure what to do. Has any LPN out there worked at a clinic like this? Did you learn alot? Thank you so much for any advice that you have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

well, if the hours and pay are ok in either place then work there and consider getting an RN so your choices would be more flexible. Good luck with your decision!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ive done some prereq's for my RN but wanted to be an LPN for 1-2 more years in order to feel more experienced. I didnt want to jump in and be an RN with more responsibility and not know what I was doing LOL. But I think youre right-I feel really limited as far as where I can work with my LPN license sometimes. Its hard to find a job, and I'm starting to wonder if its harder to find a DECENT job. It seems that I dont have the best instinct as far as jobs that I pick. I seem to end up in places that wont pay you when theyre supposed to or places that no one wants to stay at.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med-Surge, Ortho.

I would continue to look for another job and stay with the LTC until something else comes along. I don't think that the weight loss clinic will give you much skills, but who knows, you may like it.:) best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, OB/GYN, Primary Care.

From my experience I would go with the clinic in fact I would kill to work somewhere non-LTC right now. I LOVE my elderly residents but have found it to be just how you described... high turnover of employees lots of random rules being made. New management every other week etc. Could you do the clinic and be PRN at LTC?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse.

Don't put off becoming an RN is that's your goal. Afterall it is "school" LOL. Most of the folks in my graduating class years ago had no experience, and I had worked at an emergency vet clinic to get over my near fainting when I saw blood.

Don't get me wrong - the very best preceptor I had in nursing school was an LPN, but you aren't going to be lacking anything by heading into RN school now.

As to the job, I would probably jump ship on the LTC. My first job was at a LTC, and although I loved the people, I hated the whole "never enough staff, never enough time, CYA" mentality administration had. Hopefully the weight loss clinic would be a better experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in peds palliative care and hospice.

[i've been wanting to work in LTC in order to get some sort of 'real' experience. I feel that I havent learned absolutely anything and that if I dont get good experience then I will have a hard time finding jobs in the future. The issue is that now I recieved a call from a weight loss center who want to interview me.

This "real experiance" ideals drives me nuts. Every job you take will give you "real" experiance. My first job as a new grad was working as a camp nurse. Will it help me get into an ICU? Most likely not. BUT I did learn alot about emergency assesment and how to improvise when your emergency backup consisted of a box of bandaids, a bottle of tylenol and a ambulance service that had a 45 minute response time.

I want to stay at the LTC job for experience, but now Im a litte reluctant to stay do to the crazy turn over rate. But I also am worried that if I take the weight loss clinic job (which hasnt even been offered to me but im thinking ahead just in case) that I wont learn very much there. I also know that I am very lucky to even have a job so I dont want to seem ungrateful. I'm not sure what to do. Has any LPN out there worked at a clinic like this? Did you learn alot? Thank you so much for any advice that you have.

I would stick it out at the LTC and see what happens with the weight loss clinic, if they offer you the position see if you can stay LTC per diem. I prefer having two jobs, and having that combination you are expanding your skill set and making yourself more desireable in the future, whatever that may be.

I hope it works out for you!

smurfynursey

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric respite care, bariatrics.

I was in the same exact situation as you 1 year ago. I got my first job as a lvn at a private pay alzheimer's assisted living facility. I RAN away after a couple weeks!:eek:

I took a job at a weight loss clinic afterward. Here are my job duties: blood draws, vital signs, light pt charting, recording pt history during initial visits, IM injections, dispensing meds, pt teaching on nutrition/safe dieting/meds. It's low (no) stress & easy. I like that I don't dread going to work.

After a year of working here, I'm more than ready to tackle some more challenging work. I sometimes have regrets of not sticking it out at the awful facility. By now I would've had pretty thick skin & great nursing skills. However to me it wasn't worth it to jeopardize my license at a poor excuse of a nursing home. I was able to complete prerequisites without being overly stressed/miserable at work & I start the RN bridge program next year.

No matter where you work, your experience will count for something. I hope you make the decision that's right for you! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for all the advice everyone :) i didnt really think about the fact that a bad ltc facility could put my license in jeopardy. kinda scary! i will keep everyone posted on whatever i choose

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment