I'm leaving LTC

[SuesquatchRN]

I got a med/surg spot, evenings, LPN.

I'm excited. There's so much I need to learn and the VT scope of practice is wider than NYS's.

I'll miss a couple of my old folks, but, frankly, I'm tired of taking care of other people's dying, demented relatives. I'm tired of people smacking me and chasing transpondered elopers through the parking lot and standing behind a med cart for 8 hours a day.

And mostly I now know that I can not effect change in LTC except on the smallest, one-to-one level. That's important, obviously, but my spirit is being crushed. I have had a lousy year and being surrounded by people for whom the best outcome is death in their sleep isn't improving my depression.

Cross your fingers for me, all.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Sue~

I wish you all the best in your new venture!! Hope it works out for you, and that your next employer treats you well. Med-surg is the hardest job you'll ever love, but if you do love it, you'll thrive........and best of all, you will learn.

Keep us posted, 'K?

[Duflinkka]

Best of luck! I'm out too, as soon as I get my RN. Please keep us posted on your adventures.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the good wishes, all.

RN2008LPNFirst, hang in there. Your day will come.

One of the good things about being in a rural area is that they need nurses, period - of the LP or R variety.

[nightmare, RN]

Congrats!:balloons:You've finally escaped the bedpans for the drips! Hope it brings you everything you want and I'm sure you will enjoy the challenge.Look forward to hearing about you experiences in your new ward.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks, nightmare! Cross your fingers that I like it - I think I will.

[brookorrn]

Thanks for the good wishes, all.

RN2008LPNFirst, hang in there. Your day will come.

One of the good things about being in a rural area is that they need nurses, period - of the LP or R variety.

I wish I could find somewhere that needs an LPN......LTC has never been for me and I always swore I would never work with LTC because I knew it was not for me, and now look at where I am! It is making me wonder if nursing is for me...........I am thinking about home health......you think that would be any better?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I wish I could find somewhere that needs an LPN......LTC has never been for me and I always swore I would never work with LTC because I knew it was not for me, and now look at where I am! It is making me wonder if nursing is for me...........I am thinking about home health......you think that would be any better?

I think you should hang tough and suck it up until you have your RN. Home health has its own assortment of problems, and you'll learn even fewer clinical skills.

Just hang in there. If you're on days get switched to evenings if you can. Seriously. Far less annoying.

Nursing is for you. LTC isn't. But for now, it's a means to an end.

[brookorrn]

HIP HIP HOORAYYYYYYYYYYY! I LANDED A JOB IN A HOSPITAL AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT...........BEST PLACE I HAVE EVER WORKED!:cheers:

[star2nite2000]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Sue.

I have been reading your refreshingly blunt posts for about a year and a half already, and I can surely sense that you have been having a rough run for your money in LTC. The backstabbing coworkers, insensitive management, poor leadership, abusive family members, and demanding patients can work much like a vacuum: if you allow it to go on too long, these people will suck the very last dripping soul out of you. They will try to break you down and rip your heart out. I know, because I have been in LTC for the past 1.5 years.

Oh Lord, you have described the place I work to a t! The work is hard enough without having to put up with the unnecessary crap. I think what gets me the most is the backstabbing coworkers....and the two-faced ones as well!

[Autofocus]

I have been in long term care, in form or another, for 23 years.

Things I have learned:

You can work your butt off, be really good at what you do..does not matter if you are not a rear end kisser! Seems to me the quality of your work does not matter..

Money is the name of the game.

LTC companies really do not care about patients,staff,families,money is all they see.

If any nurse thinks they are irreplaceable..wrong think again..loyality,work ethic mean nothing.They can replace you in a minute (most likely already got their buddy waiting in the wings).

All LTC nurses should wear a knife proof vest.

[leslie :-D]

sue, obviously this was a wonderful move for you.

i'm so glad to read about the support you're getting in your new job.

it's about darned time!

you rock.

leslie

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

I wish you the very, very best. You rock, Suesquatch.