hospital vs LTC

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2009

during my mentorship in my rn program, i was told that i would benefit more if i applied to my local hospital in the residency programs because i would learn more,but i am not opposed to working in the ltc ... why is one better than the other...please give me some insight on what your experiences have been.

one is not better then the other. it depends on what you wish to do with your nursing career at this time. if you wish to be in acute care areas now and in the future, you will need to start in acute care (hospital) to better your chances of progressing in that area. if you wish to work in geriatrics and ltc, then starting at a hospital first may be a waste of time. i have friends who have no desire to work in acute care and so they are rns in the ltcs right out of school. i, on the other hand, like both and plan to work in both, so i have started in the hospital first and will pick up a job in ltc after i have settled in the hospital setting.

smn2010, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

neein1:

mba2brn is absolutely correct with her response to you. :yeah: i had intended to provide a similar response.

just take you time and determine where "you" want to work. if you are not sure, take a position in one area (hospital) and a part-time/prn position in the other (ltc) - or vice versa. spend some time working in both atmospheres and you will eventually be able to decide what works best for you. as for me, i work full-time at a hospital and i am currently making arrangments to accept a part-time job at a ltc facility. as an bsn, rn, i will be accepting a supervisor position at a ltc facility; so it works to my benefit to get the supervisory experience under my belt. i will be able to retain my nursing skills at the hospital while i enhance my supervisory skills at the ltc facility.

just take advantage of whatever possibilities come before you. make the best of your education and you will go far in whatever area (hospital or ltc) you choose.

good luck!