I greatly admire those who work in LTC

[shermrn]

I started my healthcare career as a CNA in long term care when I was 17 and continued with it for nearly 10 years until I became an RN. The facility where I worked at the time stuck a piece of tape that said "RN" over the "CNA" on my name tag and I continued to work in LTC for another 8 years. I didn't always love the work but stuck with it because I knew how very important it was. Over time I switched to a different facility, for better pay and some different experience. The facility I moved to was opening a TCU and gave me the chance to work with people who had more acute issues than what I was used to, but still involved LTC. I loved what I was doing and saw I was making a difference in peoples lives, I couldn't be happier. Eventually the usual things such as lack of staff, lack of funding for the facility, endless charting, etc. began to weigh on me. To top it off I had a baby on the way and saw that nurses who graduated with me were making more money at the hospital. I had become completely disillusioned with long term care, something very important to me, and was even looking at getting out of nursing all together. I quit long term care and gave the hospital a try, if it wasn't what I wanted to do at least the money was good.

I went on to work in med surg then ICU and eventually the NICU (after having a child there). As difficult as the jobs I've taken since have been, I'm always reminded that working in long term care was the most difficult and challenging job I've ever done.

Over the summer my grandmother became a resident, and eventually died, at the same facility where I first worked as a CNA back in highschool. Being there to visit her reinforced for me how important those of you who work in long term care are and of how challenging your job is.

To all of you who work with our geriatric population, I offer you my unending gratitude and admiration. You are an amazing group of people!

Thank you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

To all of you who work with our geriatric population, I offer you my unending gratitude and admiration. You are an amazing group of people!

Thanks for taking the time to show your appreciation for LTC nurses. This specialty is underrated and deserving of more respect for all that they do.

[luvsltcrn]

Thank you!!!

[djh123]

Thanks! Yes, it's not easy. I'm an Old Guy, but have only been doing this for 3 years, and lately I very much identify with this (and several other things) that you said: "I had become completely disillusioned with long term care, something very important to me, and was even looking at getting out of nursing all together." Sometime pretty soon I think I'm going to take a longish break and try to figure out what to do.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

As a nurse of almost 18yrs, last 6 in LTC, thanks for recognizing! Unless there's some kind of major change, I'll never leave this specialty. I've done 12 in hospital, and would go back if it was the only paying gig in town.

[LTCLPNLori]

I've worked LTC all of my nursing career, from a CNA, Restorative aide and eventually LPN. I can't think of any other job I would rather have. I've worked all shifts, 8 and 12 hour shifts, full moons, bad weather hold overs and unreliable relief staff. I love this work. Geriatrics, hospice cases and rehab, it's my calling. Don't get me wrong, it has days that I would leave if I could get someone, anyone to take my keys, but I would come back. I love my job. I have worked with some of the best and most compassionate nurses and CNAs that it's been my privilege to know. I have been the recipient of stories, advice and love from countless, beyond countless residents that have ranged from homeless individuals to quite wealthy and influential people. I treat them all the same, like I would want someone I loved to be treated. It's really the best job ever, even when it's the worst.

[StudentNP]

I too worked in a LTC full time for about a year and it was the hardest job I've ever done. Now I work in the OR. In my area the hospitals pay significantly less than the LTC's but I left due to the other reasons you stated (lack of funding & supplies, short staffed regularly).

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I too worked in a LTC full time for about a year and it was the hardest job I've ever done. Now I work in the OR. In my area the hospitals pay significantly less than the LTC's but I left due to the other reasons you stated (lack of funding & supplies, short staffed regularly).

I wish this was the case where I live. The pay in LTC is a LOT lower than the hospitals. I have never wanted to work in the hospital setting and for me it it still worth it to have lower pay and actually like my job, well at least usually.

[silvercatinatree]

I was a pediatric nurse for 17 years...worked NICU,PICU, Peds ER, Peds OR, Isolated fly in communities in the Arctic....... When I moved back to my country I ended up trying LTC and you know what? I love it! I would not go back to a hospital for all the money and vacation time in the world..... All those years in acute care, I felt like I was just chasing numbers.

Was I good at my job? Yes..... but, I actually feel like a nurse for the first time in a long time.

Yes, there are days when I'm just boggled by the things that happen..... You would not believe some of my stories..... but I love my clients, I enjoy building relationships with them and their family's. Though it is not my favourite part, I hope that when my client transition from this world I can make sure they do it with dignity, kindness and pain free. It is just as important to be there when people come into the world, as it is to be when they go out.