Leaving my comfy throne to go into LTC, comfort vs skills

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I'm leaving my job as a floor nurse in mental health/Special needs because I was offered a LTC job in a better location and It suits my needs currently. Mainly, I need more skills. I have been here almost a year and I can't even get a peg tube, much less an injection. ( yup you guess it. The staff is med cert) So I need more skills, and more of a challenge I believe so i can keep growing as a nurse. Sooo I wanted to ask for those of you who left your comfy high paying job for a more challenging one which involved a pay cut 😦 ..Do you think you made the right choice? I am scared to leave my comfort zone. I am having second thoughts. i will have 30 patients at the new job doing 7p- 730a and its NOTHING LIKE what Im doing now. My job is a piece of cake But I AM NOT GETTING SKILLS. Any advice on this??? 😢

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Depends on where you want to go ultimately?

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Skills are overrated in my opinion.

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You say it's in a better location and suits your needs. If you can live with the pay cut, I say go for it.

30 residents on over-nights is pretty good, depending on how many CNA's you have.

It will be a challenge and sharpen your skills. If you plan on hospital nursing in the future, or if you plan on furthering your education, the experience will be great.

I wish you well in your new adventure.

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Specializes in ICU.
Skills are overrated in my opinion.

+1

I'm personally of the opinion that the best job is the one you're good at, that's comfortable, that you get paid the most money for. I'll move so a higher paying job is more convenient before I take a lower paying job because of location, but that's just me.

Best of luck to you, OP!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm leaving my job as a floor nurse in mental health/Special needs because I was offered a LTC job in a better location and It suits my needs currently. Mainly, I need more skills. I have been here almost a year and I can't even get a peg tube, much less an injection. ( yup you guess it. The staff is med cert) So I need more skills, and more of a challenge I believe so i can keep growing as a nurse. Sooo I wanted to ask for those of you who left your comfy high paying job for a more challenging one which involved a pay cut í ½í¸¦ ..Do you think you made the right choice? I am scared to leave my comfort zone. I am having second thoughts. i will have 30 patients at the new job doing 7p- 730a and its NOTHING LIKE what Im doing now. My job is a piece of cake But I AM NOT GETTING SKILLS. Any advice on this??? í ½í¸¢

You have the skills you need for your current job. "Skills" are overrated. If you're leaving because the hours, the commute or the benefits work better for you, that's great. If you're leaving because you're bored and looking for more of a challenge, that's a worthwhile reason. But chasing "skills" just to have "skills" . . . I guess I don't understand the point.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I agree with the above. You have a job that you are comfortable in, that pays

good... I'd think long and hard before leaving that to go to LTC.

I guess you have a long commute right now? How long?

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The commute is like 10 mins driving.

You all have given me reasons to rethink my decision! Thank you. I'm just not sure what to do.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Well... you know, there is a such thing as being incredibly bored in your job.

Perhaps you really are wanting to do some more hands-on work and skills,

and if that is the case, awesome. I personally though would not take the

pay cut. Maybe wait for, or look for something that is equal pay. Or even

find a PRN job. And ten minutes is just not a very long commute at all.

My shortest commute has been fifteen minutes, EXCEPT for the one nursing

home that was in walking distance of my house, that I took a GIANT pay

cut to work for!

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I'm older than the OP, but high-paying and comfortable are not to be minimized. And at my age, thinking of a job as challenging=stressful, not what I want

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30 residents on an evening shift won't be that bad. Might be a good way to get your feet wet again.

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Hi Molly. For those of us who work in LTC, I wish there were morr nurses who want to work in long term care. You will sharpen your skills, critical thinking, and assessment. One thing you will need to get used to ia not having doctors in thr facility. Your assessment will be the only way the doctors will know what the best course of action is for the patient. You will also establish relationships with your residents, which is my favorite part of being a LTC nurse. There is also a better chance of job advancement, as most companies promote from within. Good luck in your new journey. I woulf love to keep in touch to see how it is going for you.

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