How do I word this in an interview?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 24, 2015

Sorry you feel so off kilter in LTC. Did you have any student experiences in a similar setting? If not, your perceptions may be skewed because you are analyzing everything from an acute care perspective. LTC environments are very different.... It is the residents' "home", not a place where they are admitted to treat/fix health care problems. Naturally, the relationship between staff and residents is different- after all, you're working in their home. The duties of licensed staff will be focused on those things that require a license - with non-licensed staff doing everything else.

As RNs, we have a moral, professional and legal duty to correct care delivery problems when we encounter them. You've already identified an area in which you can help improve care.... resident education about their medications. Have you talked to your manager about it? I'm sure she would welcome your suggestions for improvement in this area. If you feel that other staff are violating any boundary issues in their interactions with residents, you should also discuss this with her.

If LTC isn't your 'thing', you may be happier in an acute care setting. But I would caution you against characterizing it as a "hell hole" without a specific examples of how it is not meeting LTC standards. When you interview for other jobs, it's best to use phrases such as "not a good fit". Never badmouth a former employer.

NCBeachRN · Feb 25, 2015

Thanks for the advice. I've had some time to reflect and this place is obviously not for me. I did have LTC experience and it was great. I loved it. I really enjoy working with residents in their home, and love the older population. I didn't mean to come across nasty in my original post, looking back on it, it looked that way.

I think my problem here is with management. Not my direct manager, but with the DON and Admin; and the work environment.

When I referred to it as a hellhole, it was after a long, terrible day. I was venting. I'm typically laid back and can get along with anyone, anywhere. I'm just so taken aback by the lack of professionalism among upper management, and feel so terrible about having a job in an environment I dread.

I had an interview in an acute care environment. I felt great about it and mentioned that my current position wasn't a good fit and that I was looking for a position where I would be able to use and improve my skills. I think that as a new grad, acute care may be a better fit while I'm still so wet behind the ears. My heart is with the older population and I hope thy I'll find my place there one day.

Again, thanks for the advice!

~Shrek~ · Feb 25, 2015

Say you're learning a lot, but ultimately your dream is to work in acute care. That's all. You don't need to go into detail. Hospital managers understand that LTC's and SNF's and a lot of places outside the hospital are chaotic and dangerous environments, and that the hospital is known as the "best place" to work.

caliotter3 · Feb 25, 2015

Actually the best place to work is in your own living room, dressed in loungewear, with a cuppa while you do phone work or some other work from home work. And you can get up and walk across the room once in awhile to pet your kittie or your doggie.