I wonder if I'd like LTC better as an RN?

nightmare, RN · Nov 3, 2007

Well,you can but try!!

Given your experiences as a LPN in LTC (too much initials!!) you will have a head start in spotting problems and will now be in a better position to sort them. Unfortunately you will probably still have med carts and paperwork coming out of your ears but that kind of goes with the territory !

Drysolong · Nov 3, 2007

I miss my old ones, and I miss having relationships with people that go longer than the permissible hospitalization period.
I don't miss standing at a med cart like a trained chimp, nor do I miss the tx cart with the inhalers and the insulins.
I've always hated not being the one to talk to the physician and directly advocate for my folks.
Does going back as an RN make any sense?

I think I must have missed some earlier post(s). I'm an LPN who has just started MEDSURG in a hospital coming from LTC. I hope to be an RN by the end of next year. You seem to like LTC, which I don't dislike (too much) but I definitely prefer the hospital setting. I think, though, that working in LTC as a RN would be better for you from what I can gather from your post. But as an LPN, I usually talk directly to the physicians. Maybe it just depends on where you work.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 4, 2007

Sue, you might want to try a position in assisted living. Your responsibilities would be far greater than those of an LPN in LTC or acute care, but the physical labor and med passes are usually done by unlicensed caregivers who are specially trained to provide ADLs, treatments and so on. ALFs are usually more homelike than nursing homes or rehab facilities; in my building, for example, the aides wear polo shirts and slacks, and there is no pushing a med cart around the halls or running around with stethoscopes around one's neck. The atmosphere is more casual and friendly, and nurses are generally valued quite highly as there are so few of us! Your job would be primarily staff education and development, coordination of resident health care needs, participation in service planning, and being a resource for both care staff and administration.

The downside to all this is, pay and benefits aren't all that great, and especially in for-profit facilities, there's a lot of turnover........even administrators often don't last very long in some buildings, either because they bite off more than they can chew or the company is one that loves to move people around just when things are running smoothly. But if you can get in with a good company, this can be a wonderful opportunity for growth.

Good luck to you!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2007

Suesquatch: the RNs at my LTC workplace also work the med carts, obtain fingersticks, administer breathing treatments, dress wounds, give injections, and basically do the same stuff as the LVNs/LPNs. The main difference is that the buck stops with the RN, because they hold the highest nursing licensure in the facility. Another difference is that RNs at my workplace start at $5 more hourly than us lowly LVNs.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2007

Interesting differences state to state.

Here, RN's are only hired for LPN jobs - meds and txs - if they can't find an LPN, for the money difference. RN's do a lot of what mjlrn described as being done in ALF's, they review and recommend (care plan), they certainly pitch in on the floor, assess -

I dunno. Well, CPNE is 8 months away, so it's academic. I won't be looking for a job yet unless unemployment is denied.

deleern · Nov 4, 2007

I'm a new RN in a LTCF. I have worked here 4 years begining as a CNA when i went back to school. I started at the 4 year Rate after I graduated the RN Program. I have worked the Cart maybe twice. we have plenty of licenced staff. I do Charge, Talk to the MD, Families ect. Lots of paperwork, Staffing issues. I have no Disire to work on med surg. Full Time is considered 64 hours a pay period, I applied for a second job and the bumped my salery a $1. an hour and gave me 80 hours per pay period.