Is LTC experience helpful for L&D?

[MyFive]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but it has to do with my end goal of L&D nursing, so maybe here? I am 100% positive I want to go into L&D. (currently in school for my ASN).

I received a job offer to work in a disabled home part time 2 days a week, while I currently only have classes 3 days a week. The pay is minimum wage, and I have 5 kids, so I will actually only make half of what I need to cover daycare, and hubby will have to cover the rest.

Is it WORTH it to have direct care experience? Or is there not much difference between new grad nurses that have disabled/elderly experience and those that have none at all since this is not the direction I'm going towards anyways? Will this direct care experience help after graduation, or I'm just better off finishing my degree and trying to land a job from there?

My plan is RN-IBCLC-L&D Job-BSN

Thank you!!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

Honestly, unless it's within the hospital network of an L&D unit you want to work in, it probably won't help much. It won't hurt, but something like working as a PCA in postpartum (or even any other unit in a hospital) or volunteering in a hospital (so you can network) would help a lot more. If you are interested in IBCLC, look into Le Leche League and see if you can get involved there, that would look good on a resume. If the pay was better or you were interested in working in LTC I would say go for it, but IMO it doesn't seem worth it if your goal is L&D.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I haven't worked in LTC beyond a brief stint teaching CNA students on the floor. I agree that L&D is very different from LTC (and most other specialties!). However, providing comfort and guiding a patient and their family through the experience of death or terminal illness can give you some very, very useful skills. Providing labor support and helping support families through physically/emotionally difficult situations is a very important part of LDRP nursing, and palliative/hospice care is a great opportunity to develop strong skills that will translate well.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

Also, a job is a job, and it's best to avoid gaps on your resume. You can always keep looking for something better.

eta- I see that I misread, and this is not a nursing job. I would only do it if you felt interested in it, and it wouldn't cause undue stress on you or your home situation. Working minimum wage in LTC can be. . . difficult, especially in some of the less well funded facilities. One semester teaching in LTC was enough for me. I have so much respect for nurses who choose this for their career.

[RunBabyRN]

Having hands-on experience with patients will always serve you well. Being comfortable with cleaning up bowel movements and ambulating patients and such will be good. It won't count as nursing experience, but it will help you immensely when you're learning your new job.