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!
I have worked in LTC for almost 14 yrs and I wouldnt trade it for anything. You will meet some of the most amazing people in LTC residents, families and coworkers. It takes a special person to work in this field because you become a family and when you lose someone you take care of it is hard but then you look back on how they have touched your life and it is worth it. I'm a strong believer that we all have our place in health care and no one should ever tell that you are making a mistake, just follow your heart and the rest will fall into place. Good luck on what ever you decide to do!
i've gotten the old "when are you going to get a REAL nursing job and work in the hospital?" from family and friends. i just tell them "never".
i actually did work in a hospital for about 6 weeks a few years ago. the patients that i had were the patients i took care of in the nursing home! i swear, i knew every other patient i had, lol. it was a joy to only have 6-8 of them compared to 24.
acute care isnt "better", its just different. you definitely will not "lose your skills" as many like to say. i work in a facility where only 25% are LTC, the rest are short stay rehab. it's very fast paced. i love love love it! i get the acute care AND the LTC patients. so one minute i can be doing a procedure, the next i can be helping a demented patient look for her parents. it's definitely never boring and i wouldnt trade it for the world.
i tell people all the time i guess i'll work there till i move in.
i knew LTC was for me the very first day i walked on the floor as a CNA student. i fell in love with it immediately. my instructors even let me concentrate my clinicals in the nursing home setting instead of labor/delivery where i will NEVER EVER IN AMILLION YEARS work. i take 'em outta the world...i do NOT bring them in, lol.
i say early in your career, try a little of everything. you never know where you are gonna find your love. there are so many different places for us to work. some love acute care, some like office work, and some, like me, love LTC.
my friend's mom used to tell me "it takes all kinds...."
but don't not try it just because others have a negative statement about it. go out there and find YOUR perfect job!
I am so glad that I read all of this!!! I was very insecure about becoming a nurse, and very doubtful as far as if I'd fit in the LTC field, but now I'm starting to think it's the perfect place for me! Thank you everyone for taking the time to share on this topic .
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missyd1991
45 Posts
I have worked in LTC for almost 14 yrs and I wouldnt trade it for anything. You will meet some of the most amazing people in LTC residents, families and coworkers. It takes a special person to work in this field because you become a family and when you lose someone you take care of it is hard but then you look back on how they have touched your life and it is worth it. I'm a strong believer that we all have our place in health care and no one should ever tell that you are making a mistake, just follow your heart and the rest will fall into place. Good luck on what ever you decide to do!