Is it so wrong to think long term care nursing is boring?

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

I think the majority of us in LTC feel that way. It is a job that no one really wants, but is so vital. The hours are hectic, you are at the mercy of everyone from management to housekeeping. You will never make everyone happy. You go home after your shift, exhausted physically & mentally. You swear that you will find a "better" job. But, then, you have a couple days off, you walk back into work and your pt's are so happy your there. The smiles & hugs they give make it worth it (even knowing that within 15 minutes they will forget how happy they were to see you). Just do the best you can, and be happy when it's boring & monontonous, the alternative is worse.

Midwest4me · Feb 15, 2009

I never had time when I was in LTC to be bored. I was too busy running calling MDs, doing MD rounds with them, checking orders, arranging transportation, setting up tube feedings, getting treatments done, trying to keep track of where the CNAs were and what they were doing, working on any new admitted patients, etc. I NEVER walked out of work having finished everything either and know very few nurses who did either.

sistasoul · Feb 15, 2009

I never had time when I was in LTC to be bored. I was too busy running calling MDs, doing MD rounds with them, checking orders, arranging transportation, setting up tube feedings, getting treatments done, trying to keep track of where the CNAs were and what they were doing, working on any new admitted patients, etc. I NEVER walked out of work having finished everything either and know very few nurses who did either.

My residents are all LTC and rarely do I never get admits and never get discharges. The only time I need to call a doc is when their is a life threatening situation (SOB, etc) which are few and far between. 99 percent of the time I can just write in the Dr's/nurse practitioners correspondence book if I see any changes in the patient that need to be addresssed and a new order will be written the next day. I also never finish everything with my patients. It is not the quantity of work but rather the never ending monotony of it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 15, 2009

At this point in my career, I find the 'monotony' of LTC very soothing. In the past decade, I've gone from the insanity of Med/Surg, to the endless rounds of meetings and paperwork as an MDS coordinator, to being on-call 24/7/365 as a DON. Believe me, I'll take boring and predictable..........and I love my residents like family!

travel50 · Feb 15, 2009

When I first started working in LTC, I expected to hate it. I have absolutely fallen in love with it. That was 12 yrs ago. I have worked at my present facility for 9 yrs. Am now the DON. I can say with certainly that every one of my nurses works with us because it is where they want to be. They could get a job elsewhere. Matter of fact, 2 months ago, one of my nurses left for a job at the rehab hospital. She lasted 1 month. She came to me begging for her job back. She said "I want to come back home". I had not filled her position b/c I had so hoped she'd come back to us. We had just filled her spot with PRN help while we waited. My fairly new nite LPN worked at the hospital for over 20 yrs. Excellent nurse. Could have retired there. Said he was tired of the hassel, knew we gave good care by how our people looked when they came to the hosp, and had just been waiting for an opening. We don't have open spots often. Anyway, I know working in LTC has its downsides. Every job does. But we are in our facility b/c we want to be there.

VivaLasViejas...glad to see you have 2 soldiers. Hope they are safe. My son is iin the air force in Tx. My son-in-law is in Iraq. My 2 daughters were in the guard, one in Iraq for awhile.

moomoo111 · Feb 15, 2009

I worked in Med Surg before I worked in LTC and I love LTC. Yeah, you have to pace yourself but I always manage to get my work done and yes, sometimes I have to stay over but I have learned the system. Some of the wings are harder and have more demanding residents but I have gotten to where I like it and I'll take it any day over Med Surg. I've also worked ICU. It's more money and it's not as stressful. I'll take it any day. I think it depends on what "you" like. Just because you are a nurse and work LTC is not a bad thing. Everybody has their own preferences so don't look down on somebody who loves their area of nursing. If wa all worked the same area, how would that work out? Be realistic. I don't use my skills as much but I like what I do.

leslie :-D · Feb 15, 2009

i held a brief job in ltc upon graduating, but couldn't manage 2 fulltime jobs.

i'll tell you, i LOVED my elderly pts.

i did doubles a lot and while there were nurses/cna's who wanted to keep them in their rooms or dayroom, i would gather as many wc's around the nurse's station as possible (when i knew i'd be sitting).

when doing 3-11's, i used to order out and share my french fries, bite-sized pizza, and these folks look like they died and went to heaven.

some, i would even have them say goodnight to my little ones on the phone.

loved it.

absolutely loved it.

my DON had worked her way up, and had been there over 25 yrs...

a woman who took sooooo much pride in the facilty, her staff.

hardly any turnover.

everything we did, it was for our residents.

every thanksgiving, we would set up a bunch of tables in the dayroom, and eat together.

a long time cna, would lead the dinner with an opening prayer.

Christmas, we would all give presents to those residents w/o family.

loved it.

LOVED IT.

sigh....

ok, all done. :mad:

leslie

Equinox_93 · Feb 15, 2009

That sounds like an amazing place! :) Makes me hopeful that I find something like that when I start applying :)

i held a brief job in ltc upon graduating, but couldn't manage 2 fulltime jobs.
i'll tell you, i LOVED my elderly pts.
i did doubles a lot and while there were nurses/cna's who wanted to keep them in their rooms or dayroom, i would gather as many wc's around the nurse's station as possible (when i knew i'd be sitting).
when doing 3-11's, i used to order out and share my french fries, bite-sized pizza, and these folks look like they died and went to heaven.
some, i would even have them say goodnight to my little ones on the phone.
loved it.
absolutely loved it.
my DON had worked her way up, and had been there over 25 yrs...
a woman who took sooooo much pride in the facilty, her staff.
hardly any turnover.
everything we did, it was for our residents.
every thanksgiving, we would set up a bunch of tables in the dayroom, and eat together.
a long time cna, would lead the dinner with an opening prayer.
Christmas, we would all give presents to those residents w/o family.
loved it.
LOVED IT.
sigh....
ok, all done.
leslie

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

It isn't right or wrong, it's what appeals to you. I hate the repetitive nature of LTC, love the residents, hate feeling helpless in that regulations have more control over driving our care of our residents than common sense.

If it bores you it bores you. There's something out there that won't.

Ms.RN · Feb 16, 2009

i have always worked in nursing home, i just dont like doing the same thing everyday. i'm so used to working in the nursing home the thought of working in the hospital scares me. nursing homes are good about orienting new nurses, they give many days of orientation and they are pretty understandable when nurses make mistake. i think hospitals are more strict and since work is unpredictable i dont know if i'll be able to handle the work. any advices?

sistasoul · Feb 16, 2009

Thanks to all who have replied. I too, love my old folks. Had one pass on me last night and cried like a baby as I kissed her on her cheek knowing she was in a better place. I think I need to try the hospital to appreciate what all you fine people have been saying.