Is LTC really a kiss of death for new grads?

[studentchar]

So, I'm a third year RN student and I have a chance to guarantee myself a full-time job after graduation. The only problem? It's in LTC, and I'd have to commit to a year, maybe 2.

I'm in Canada, so the shortage hasn't quite hit us yet, I'm sure I could pick up fulltime hours in one of the local hospitals. It would be nice to have the guarantee though. I'm just wondering how nurse managers would react if they saw that was my only work experience after graduation if I decide to apply to a med-surg unit, ER, mom and baby, etc after I'm done with my LTC commitment.

I don't follow the idea of losing my skills in LTC. The important skills such as analytical thinking, critical care, evidence-base decision making, etc. will always stay with me no matter what health care field I go into. I will never forget the reasons why someone may need an IV, even if I need a refresher to put one in, KWIM?

I work as a PCW in a LTC facility right now, and am fairly sure that I don't want to spend my nursing career in a LTC facility. However, this opportunity just seems too good for me to turn down until I do some long and hard thinking and investigation about it.

What do you think? Would nurse managers hold that year against me in future job possibilities?

Thanks for your input!

[sweetnurse63, BSN, RN]

Some experience is better than none. A lot of people get the wrong idea about ltc. In ltc, you use assessment skills, hang antibiotics, give injections, blood glucose monitoring, wound treatments and more. Some facilities have vents. You often get patients rehabilitating from post-othopedic surgeries and you have to deal with emergencies often sending patients out 911. So, do not think that you will just be passing pills.:) Hope this info helps.

[TonyaM73, ASN, RN]

Depends on the nurse manager. I had to start off in LTC due to the shortage of new grad jobs after I graduated. I took every opportunity I could to learn and refresh the skills that I didn't use to often. I moved up the latter very quickly to the evening supervisors job after 3 months and stayed there for the remainder golden 1 year experience. When I came in to interview, I made my organization, leadership and time management shine. I told them that since I was able to handle 30 patients and hone in my time management and medication knowledge, that I could learn anything that I did not use often very quickly. Needless to say I got the job and have been in the hospital for over a year now.

Working in LTC, expecially if they have a rehab, can really help you be a better nurse in the long run and can help the transition to a busy med/surg floor. For any of the other specialties, you may have to do your time on med/surg in the hospital first. Everything all depends on the hiring manager and their perspective of LTC.

[Biffbradford]

I would wait closer to graduation before making any commitments.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I work LTC and I do the same things there as I did in Acute Care. It depends on where you work. I've learned a lot. If you need the job, take it. However, I would wait until you're ready to graduate before deciding. Mine is also a charge position, so I have a mix of bedside and administrative duties. I don't regret taking the job, and I started as a new grad.

[Eldrad]

I worked in dialysis for a year after school and when I applied to hospitals they counted me as a "new grad" as I had no hospital experience. It was a great learning experience for me but hospitals only care about hospital experience.

[mazy]

I wouldn't officially commit to any job for that period of time, LTC especially. You won't know what kind of facility you will be working in, how you like working there, how they treat their staff, orient, etc. What if you don't like your job? I would suggest waiting until you see what else is out there, especially if you feel that you will be able to get some kind of work after you graduate.

[LaughingRN]

My advice,

I speak as a dual citizen, that graduated from a Canadian University in 2009, in the most populated province (hint)

The job shortage in Canada (from above province) is worst than the job shortage of the state I live in. A nice large handful of nurses I graduated with have still not found a job, or are working in retail etc. Some of my dearest friends struggled for months trying to land a position, including applying to every nursing home in the area and beyond.

If you are still a student, beware of the golden opportunities that the schools speak of. The situation in the states apply in most parts of Canada as well. (now if you live in a remote northern community, it may be different but most people in Canada don't)

When I was in my 4th year, 2009 My clinical advisors told our class that we would have a hard time finding employment in that province.

With that said.

I don't understand how they can ask such a commitment from you with nothing in return right now. Are they paying tuition reimbursement? Sign on bonus? How could they possibly make you honor such a contract?

Beware of such deals in an economy that is so horrible

Approach the offer with the same caution you would approach a 28 day starved wildcat

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I too am from the same Province. I left and I don't plan to go back. The employment situation there has been awful for almost 4 years. I have friends that still do not have a job one and two years later. Beware of any employment you accept in said Province. Best move I made for many reasons leaving.

[james_in_seattle]

i currently work in a hospital as a cna and in a snf as a lpn. the first thing you need to be aware of is that every ltc facility is different. some facilities use specialized nurses for med pass, wound care, ivs, etc... if you went to such a facility you might find your professional advancement retarded because you are not receiving a breadth of experience. also, ltc facilities are a "production" based system. meaning they are very cost conscious. you will often be faced with making due with what’s on hand instead of the correct tool. my assignment is 28 pts. i do all care. there is no treatment nurse. my unit has a very heavy load and i am lucky to clock out within two hours of shift change and lunch is a luxury. while this is great for experience it does not sit well with hospital culture. while it is possible to make the transition not every hospital is thrilled with the experiences gained at snfs. at the hospital i work at snf experience is not a huge bonus. bad snfs habits can be difficult to break.

i would suggest two things:

1st: that if you are seriously considering a snf that you talk to folks there to get an idea what you will be doing.

2nd: if you are able hold out for a hospital or hospital related position, do so.

[Seas]

Why making a commitment now? wait until you graduate and look at all the hospitals around you first.

LTC job is not hard to find in many areas. You can always get a full time job at a LTC. Don't make yourself "have to work there for 1-2 years" if you don't want to work there. You sure can be able to find a job in hospital. You never know.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

We have RN's where I work that worked in nursing homes first. I would think you would still get experience and nowadays given how sick patients are still when they are discharged and most nursing homes moving toward "rehab" to capture medicare dollars I think you would still get good experience.

I used to think LTC would be easier than in a hospital but I'm shocked at the patient ratios and wonder how the nurses hold up. If you can survive the staff ratios and working conditions in LTC I would expect you could handle anything!