LPN or RN for nursing home

Nursing Students LPN-RN

Published

I am in my last semester for the RN program. I have been struggling and have some bad marks in clinical for not being able to keep up with the pace. I might just need more practice. I have really been thinking I want to work in a nursing home. I don't have any time to spend one on one with the patients like I would like in the hospital. Would you recommend getting my LPN, which I can test for now or stick it out and maybe even have to redo this semester. I see jobs in my area online now for LPNs in a nursing home nearby. I guess I'm basically asking if I fail this semester would you recommend taking it over or just testing for the LPN and going for a job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Depends on what you want to do in nursing. LPNs basically work in nursing homes and doctors offices anymore. Very few are being employed in a hospital setting. LPNs also have more interaction with the patients. RNs do a lot more paperwork and can be supervisors for LPNs. My friend is going for her LPN because she loves geriatrics and loves that environment. I am going for my RN because I would rather work in a hospital setting. There is nothing wrong with either. It is what is in your heart.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, hospice.

As an LVN who has worked in LTC for almost 2 years... you will have no more time in the nursing home to spend with your patients than in the hospital. You are trading 5 very sick patients for 30 patients with varying degrees of health. The patients I spend the most time with are patients with multiple issues that require more care (aka patients with wounds or PEG tube feedings and meds, lots of times both, patients with severe confusion and needs lots of monitoring). In LTC, LVNs are often the charge nurses and thus are required to provide all nursing care, as well as doing much of the paperwork that goes along with it. I'd say in total, on average I spend about 15 minutes with each resident per day... for 30 residents that equals 7.5 hours of time... which is the average 8 hour shift with a 30 minute lunch break (that you are lucky to get). I'd love to spend more time with my residents but if I want to complete my care/tasks and get out on time (we aren't allowed overtime), it's just not possible.

You will also see that the patients in LTC are sicker and more acute. I was surprised myself when I first started that many of our residents do have PICC lines with ABT, wound vacs, complex diabetic regimens, etc. Working in LTC does not mean that it is easier than a hospital setting....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LTC has its own challenges.

At my work RNs and LPNs do the same job only RNs get paid more.

If you are in a RN program be an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Home health.

I would recommend just taking it over (if you have to). If you got this far already, just go for it. Even if you do have a burning desire for LTC, you can still work there as a RN. Also, the pay will be much better as a RN in LTC.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Finish and be an RN if you really wanna work in LTC do it as an RN you will make more money. Working in longterm care is not going to give you more time to spend with your patients though at times I had 32 patients. They may not be high acuity like in the hospital but you have 6 times as many to pass meds and do treatments on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you are already almost finished with RN program, then dont stop!!!! keep going. The longer you are out of school, the harder it is to get back in. And working in LTC does not mean that you spend all your time with the residents. Instead of 5 patients you have at least 24 to 30! Not only are you the charge nurse as LVN, you do admissions, discharges, pass all medications, do all treatments, assessments, charting, faxing or calling MD..... And dont forget if someone has IV going... Trying to fit in a dinner break is next to impossible. At my job, the RN and LVN do the same job as well.. Just the RN gets paid more.

Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

You wont have more time to spend with patients in the nursing home. The ratio is anywhere from 25-50 patients per nurse. You are also the charge nurse which means: solve patient and family complaints, monitor the CNA's work. You also have chart checks, dining room duty(2 hours). At least 30 of your patients are probably going to be diabetic, have peg tubs, IV fluids, wound care, vents and trach's, and you need to get things ready for patient's going out to appointments such as dialysis. So you have lots to do with 25-50 patients in 8 hours compared to working with 6 patients in 12 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Working in a nursing home/skilled nursing facility is the hardest work I have ever done. 95% of the time I am rushing around trying to complete the exorbitant amount of tasks assigned to me. I rarely leave on time or have more than 10 minutes with a patient the entire shift. I love my patients but after 3 years I want something slower paced. I am quickly becoming burned out. I'll graduate with my BSN in December and I can't wait to find a new job. In the past 3 years I have never taken a full 30 minute lunch break and defiantly never taken the two 15 minute breaks I supposedly get. I have gone an entire 12 hr shift and only are a snickers bar only because I simply didn't have time for anything else. I am only telling you all this because I want you to have a realistic view of being a nurse in a nursing home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for everyone's input. I had no idea it was so fast paced in a nursing home. I love the elderly, but I don't want to work 12 hours w/o time to take a break, that doesn't even sound healthy. I hate that people have to be pushed so hard. Why does everything have to be on high speed. I was at clinical the other day and my nurse had 8pts on a med surg floor. That is just ridiculous. I don't know how these nurses do it. Are there any fields in nursing where you don't run around for 12 hours trying to do the job of two people?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.
Thanks for everyone's input. I had no idea it was so fast paced in a nursing home. I love the elderly but I don't want to work 12 hours w/o time to take a break, that doesn't even sound healthy. I hate that people have to be pushed so hard. Why does everything have to be on high speed. I was at clinical the other day and my nurse had 8pts on a med surg floor. That is just ridiculous. I don't know how these nurses do it. Are there any fields in nursing where you don't run around for 12 hours trying to do the job of two people?[/quote']

You can try clinics, home health, or hospice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, home health.

It pretty much sucks in just about every setting, because it is all about the almighty dollar. It won't improve, because nurses don't have the cohesiveness to stick together. If you bring your concerns about the workload in any facility, you will have a target on your back and will eventually be fired for something stupid. Of course, if one of the suits needs help doing their job an assistant will be hired. I've never heard of an administrator having to run for 12 hours straight on only a snickers bar!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment