LTC employment possibilities for new RN?

[RetSGT]

Hi all,

I was hoping to get advice from some of you that work in LTC. After graduating from an ADN program in May 2013 and applying to at least 25 different hospitals in the area with no luck, I am trying to consider my options before seeking a job in another field.

Is it possible for a New Grad RN to get hired in a LTC facility. My understanding in nursing school was that RN's run the floor, with the LPN's providing the nursing care. I never bothered to apply at any LTC facilities for this reason (How can an inexperienced RN supervise highly experienced LPN's) as well as my plan being always to go into emergency nursing in a hospital.

Now, with very little hope of ever getting hired at a hospital as a new grad with no healthcare experience, I am seeking other opportunities before I give up the search completely?

Does anybody have any advice regarding this?

Thanks

[Blackcat99]

At the LTC's in my area, the job ads for LPN's and RN's always say that 1 year of experience is required. However, the fact is that they hire new RN and new LPN's all the time. So if you see ads that say that 1 year of experience is required just ignore it and go ahead and apply. LTC's like to hire new grads because they can pay them less money because they have no experience.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

How can an inexperienced RN supervise highly experienced LPN's

They shouldn't. But some places just want a warm body with a license. This is among the many reasons why many new grads crash and burn and hate LTC. But not all LTCs are like that. A new grad would not be in a supervisory position of any sort in a good LTC. Places like that exist. I promise. So do not accept any position in which you are a supervisor instead of just being another floor nurse like the LVNs.

Either way, keep in mind LTC is HARD. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. While in the acute care setting new grads get weeks (or months) of precepting/orientation, in LTC days are the norm with months being almost unheard of. The acuity of patients in LTC is increasing, and as an LVN new grad I got plenty of practice with wound care, catheters, feeding tubes, etc that new grads think are the "skills" they are missing out on when they get into LTC instead of an acute care hospital. But with such short orientation periods, new grads are thrown into the deep end without getting time to develop their critical thinking skills. Work days become task oriented instead of getting to sit down and look at the big picture. If you keep a positive attitude and find a good LTC facility, you can thrive and move on after getting some experience. LTC experience is better than no experience.