Lpn's and LTC facilities

[pat8585]

I have read on some posts that lpn's are desperately needed in LTC facilities and that basically as long as you have a heartbeat you can get an LPN job in one of the facilities.

Is this true becuase of a GENUINE shortage...or true because most LTC have difficult work environments??

[Larry77, RN]

I have read on some posts that lpn's are desperately needed in LTC facilities and that basically as long as you have a heartbeat you can get an LPN job in one of the facilities.

Is this true becuase of a GENUINE shortage...or true because most LTC have difficult work environments??

I would say both because LTC jobs are not very sought after because you do not make much money and tend to not be appreciated by the companies. Also LTC facilities have a very high turnover rate partly do to what I mentioned above and also d/t LPN's moving on getting their RN and getting higher paying jobs.

I have seen some very questionable hires in some facilities even LPN's who have been fired from most facilities in town (common knowledge, manager said she didn't care because she really needed someone to work nights). Another hire was a gal who admittedly could not stand for a whole med pass so she would wheel the medcart into the dining room and make the CNA's bring all the residents to her (this would make for a 4 hr medpass).

[softstorms]

You may have to take a look around at your "LTC" facilities. Because of Medicare changes, a lot of LTC facilities are adding sub-acute units. These units are not only paying more for LPN's but expecting more from them. Larry77 is right about some of the nursing staff, but as time goes on I think they will be weeded out and replaced with staff more in tune with new demands.