LTC experience into NP programs

Im a new grad and just got a job offer at a LTC. I eventually wanna get my NP. I have heard from NPs and peers that ER experience can be valuable for NP students. What about a skilled Nursing facility or a rehab facility experience?

I'm of the school of thought that it's how hard you push yourself to learn and become relevant in your practice matters much more than where you have practiced. There are many factors to consider here. What type of APRN do you wish to be? If you like the LTC environment, then geriatrics, or perhaps adult tracks would be the best choice. If you liked the critical care world, then acute care. Maybe psychiatric APRN suits you. I think it's more important that you visualize where you see yourself in practice, then grab those experiences and use them to your advantage.

First, congrats on the job offer! My first job after graduating was in LTC, and after four months of looking for a job I jumped at the chance to have ANY nursing position. The facility I was in was half rehab and half nursing home. I was mostly working at the rehab part, which is really a sub-acute (sometimes very acute) med-surg unit. I actually got a lot of experience in the beginning, but then I just fell into a rut. I felt like I wasn't using much of the skills I learned in school, and I was getting bored. I was basically pushing meds felt like I couldn't give the quality care that my patients deserved. Luckily the nursing home I was at was part of a major hospital system and I was able to transfer easily to a hospital position within a year. My advice to you would be to stick with it for awhile, just at least to get your feet wet into nursing, and the job will definately open the door to another position in the future.

Many areas in the US are tight on jobs now, any experience is better than none. Get your feet wet, get in your school and see where work leads you. You won't know which type of NP you want to be until you get bedside, no matter what you think now, so just get out there and give it a try. I promise you it should stimulate you to do better, and graduate, it you have a poor managing doc or NP. Patients need this.

Dont forget that geriatrics IS a specialty for some NP's.