Long Term Care Nursing is Lame

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Having worked in a long term/short-term rehab facility combination for a year now, I have to say that in comparison to other areas of nursing, it's pretty lame.

Yes, we work hard. We have 20 or more patients on our own who require medications. Sometimes they'll have tube feedings, ostomies, JP drains, etc. There are many wounds, blood sugars, bladder scans and emergent situations aren't as rare as you would think. No one is denying people at these facilities work hard.

At the same time, when looking at other areas of nursing, including ICU and ER, it's safe to say we don't really do as much for these patients as these incredible nurses do. For example, I am highly impressed with a cardiovascular surgical ICU in my town, one of the best in the nation. These nurses see and do EVERYTHING. Skills include Skills include TPM, PPM, Chest reopening, chest tubes, trach, PEG, JP, NG/OG, pigtail cat, extubation, sedation, CT/MRI, Bronchoscopy, line placement, cortrac, IR, specimen collection, medications including inotrops, vasoactive, blood administration, insulin, heparin, CPN/lipids, paraltyics, and lines such as arterial lines, Cordis/STCVC, pAC, TDC, TPM wires, PICC, non-VAT blood draws, CRRT, Flexiseal, and pumps including PCA, Medication and Tube Feeding. They have LVADs, ECMO machines and take care of ALL ages from the newborn to the elderly. The MICU is also quite an impressive area, as are all the other ICUS. Plus, you can't beat the top notch nurses in the ER.

Sorry everyone but it's true...there's a reason why long term care nurses/rehab nurses are paid less than others.

I have worked LTC for most of my 6 years in nursing and while I do understand where you are coming from, one thing I do know is not all nurses who work those specialized units can work with dementia. It takes special skill and patience to understand how to talk to and work with residents that live in LTC. Plus in most hospitals meds can be used for behaviors that we can't use except as last resorts. I have been slapped, punched, bit, dodged a flying vase, and jumped over tables to save a falling resident. It takes a special set of skills to work LTC. I have seen many experienced hospital nurses come and quickly go, because they can't take the craziness that goes on. It's all about not everyone has the same training or skills or patience to be in the same job. The good thing about our industry is you can always learn new skills.

I wouldnt necessarily say LTC nursing is "lame". But it definitely is not the same as it once was. And i know nursing is an ever evolving career full of change at the drop of a dime. But LTC.........is a different story. Nothing here has changed for the better....only the worse. On top of the negative stigma put upon our geriatric population, can definitely make someone think and feel that LTC nursing is lame.

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