How did you know LTC was right for you?

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Specializes in ER.

How did you know LTC was the place for you?

Background: ER nurse 2 years out from school- not happy at all. Love geriatrics though. I'm afraid to make the move since I am in my 20's and many people I talk to say I am too young to go work at a nursing home and it will kill my career. I don't want to work in ER/critical care or even med-surg. Don't have an interest in OB, psych, OR, or oncology. I'd like to do acute rehab but the job openings are far and few between. I've applied for clinic jobs but haven't heard back.

So back to my question- how did you know that LTC was for you? What made you leave the hospital if you worked at one before? What is the best thing about LTC in your eyes? Thanks in advance!

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not all facilities are not long term care. many places are now rehab facilities where patiens are admitted for rehabilitation. out of whole building, one small unit is a long term unit and rest of the units are rehab. since you want to work in rehab maybe you can work contingent at rehab facility to see whether or not you like it and if you like there maybe you can work there full time.

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Specializes in ER.
not all facilities are not long term care. many places are now rehab facilities where patiens are admitted for rehabilitation. out of whole building, one small unit is a long term unit and rest of the units are rehab. since you want to work in rehab maybe you can work contingent at rehab facility to see whether or not you like it and if you like there maybe you can work there full time.

this is a wonderful idea. i live in an area where these type of facilities aren't common at all. either inpatient rehab or nursing home rehab. in the future this is something i am keeping in mind! thanks for the input.

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Specializes in LTC.

How does LTC kill your career?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
how did you know ltc was the place for you?

i don't want to work in er/critical care or even med-surg. don't have an interest in ob, psych, or, or oncology. so back to my question- how did you know that ltc was for you? what made you leave the hospital if you worked at one before? what is the best thing about ltc in your eyes? thanks in advance!

i think you answered your own questions!!!! re-read your post! i have a friend who is a rn in ltc. she loves it! she choose not to work in acute care after our clinicals in the hospital. she was wise enough to know that it was not a place for her and she did not allow people to argue with her or change her mind. if you do not like acute care, then it will not "kill your career". ltc is a career choice as well.

also, if you love geriatrics, there is no better place to gain experience while pursuing further education and certification. in fact, my friend is working to become an expert in geriatrics. there is an entire nursing community that supports that focus in this country so you are not alone. btw, acute rehab is a good choice too, but in areas that do not have many facilities (i live in such a place) ltcs act as acute rehab facilities as well. so ltc nurses gain that experience along with other skills related to geriatrics. gl!

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I worked acute care for 10 yrs and the decision to leave was made for me but i was obviously unhappy for it to work out that way. I ended up prn inpt rehab and ltc cert alz. its almost assisted living on the suite i am in. I love it. I am back in the environment where i got started and i get to actually spend time with my residents....It doesn't kill your career. It diversifies you.

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Specializes in ER.
How does LTC kill your career?

I am not saying it kills you career, others around me are telling me this. I think it is just a lot of negativity.

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Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.

I hear the "kill your career thing too". What people mean is you will rarely use some skills working in LTC that you would utilize daily if you work in ICU, ED, etc. You don't start a lot of IVs in LTC, nor do you have as many drains, trachs, vent, etc as you would see in ICU. You do a lot of med passes, skin checks, and paperwork. It just depends on what you like doing. I worked as a CNA in LTC and loved it. The pay stunk, many of my coworkers were lazy and snotty, but my residents were the sweetest people in the world and it took next to nothing to get a smile from them. You could make their day by doing the littlest thing like bringing them a cup of coffee when they didn't have to ask. Talk about walking out of work feeling you made a difference. I just passed the NCLEX last week and have decided to pursue LTC again, as an RN this time. I really don't want to jump into trachs, vents, JP drains, iv pushes, etc right at first. Not everyone likes working with the elderly and, those who don't like it, often show their dislike and the residents feel it believe me. If you are a person that truly loves working with the geriatric population, then by all means go for it. Afterall, it's YOUR career; who really cares what other people think. Do what makes YOU happy because when you are happy, your patients will be happier as well.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, GP Office.

I've worked Med-Surg, GP office, home health and LTC. I love LTC the most & plan on staying in LTC. The facility where I work is wonderful. They are LTC/SNF Rehab center with 100 beds. It's clean, with friendly helpful co-workers, caring staff, great pay and mostly, I love geriatrics. They are a different type of patient with specific needs.

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Hi I never worked in a hospital I went right into a LTC facility. At first for the money, and good hours. I have absolutely fell in love with my residents. I can not even begin to tell you the rewards of thier love for me. It is such a rewarding job that you make a difference everyday in someones life. I do hate the paperwork mean family members and head people who think they know everything but I have to put that aside and remember that I was lead to this job for a reason. If I am going to be away from my family at least I will make a difference in some one elses. Dont listen to anyone about what you should do and about your age my residents love the energy I bring into thier life. Good Luck

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

I think you need to have good assessment skills to work in LTC! I work on an Alz. unit, and if there is something wrong with them, they usually cannot tell you...you have to be keen and good at figuring out what is wrong.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

I loved working in LTC as a CNA and I thought that if I loved working in LTC as a CNA I would love it as an RN. I was very wrong. I do not hate my job, but I do miss the resident care that I was able to do as a CNA. As a nurse most of my time is spent passing meds and doing paper work. My time with the resident is very limited and I am not able to give them the TLC everyday that I wish to give them.

However, since I do take care of the same residents day after day I do become very close to them and their families. I enjoy this greatly. I get to hear their stories of growing up in the depression, about their families and how proud they are of them. I get to see their great-grandchildren grow when they come in to visit. I get to hold their hand while they cry for their spouse that passed away after many years of marriage.

If you enjoy this part of nursing you will enjoy LTC nursing. You do not get to work with the neat equipment that the ICU nurses get to use or the excitment that an ER nurse gets, but you will find a special kind of joy that is only found in LTC nursing.

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