LTC experience is worse than no experience? True/false?

turtlesRcool · May 19, 2015

It's not clear from your post if you are deciding between LTC and acute care for your internship, or if you must choose to take an internship in LTC or risk no internship at all.

I think if you want to work in acute care, it makes more sense to do an internship in acute care. But if you don't have that option, working in LTC is better than not working. Ideally, you want your internship to match the kind of job you are interested in getting. But having experience of some sort is usually going to be better than having no experience.

So I think the answer to your question is going to lie in how likely you are to get an acute care internship.

Camo-angel · May 19, 2015

If you want to work in acute care settings, go for an acute care internship if possible. LTC is still better than zero experience, however it can be difficult to transition from LTC to acute care, they are completely different worlds.

~Shrek~ · May 20, 2015

I thought I was never going to get a nursing job, so I rushed and worked in a non-acute care setting that was abusive (kind of like a SNF or LTC) and I think working there hurts my resume. I should have waited the "new grad" wait to get a job.

If you NEED a job financially, take it. Take it and market the experience to be in your favor. Pay your bills and get out ASAP.

If you do NOT need a job financially (eg SO or parents are supporting you) give yourself a good 6-12 months to find a job before trying LTC locally. Keep an eye out to non-local jobs if you are able to relocate. I would personally rather relocate than do LTC-ish work again.

Melody Pond · May 20, 2015

Thanks for the feedback! To clarify - I have applied for acute internships, but have not gotten callbacks. This LTC is the only place that has gotten back to me.

Is it better than to get a CNA job in acute care vs an LPN/internship position in LTC?

~Shrek~ · May 22, 2015

Thanks for the feedback! To clarify - I have applied for acute internships, but have not gotten callbacks. This LTC is the only place that has gotten back to me.
Is it better than to get a CNA job in acute care vs an LPN/internship position in LTC?

Wait sorry I misread your post and thought you were an RN considering LTC.

I think that if you can get a CNA job in acute care, that would be the best thing for your resume. I don't think being a CNA in LTC is damaging for your resume, but being a CNA in acute care looks better. I think being an LPN in LTC is a good thing if you are an LPN because you can practice your nursing skills while working on your RN degree.

I think that being a CNA in acute care or LPN in LTC would be the best for your resume, but working as a CNA in LTC would not hurt your resume but would not look as good.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 22, 2015

I had LTC experience before I got my current job...didn't hurt my chances at all. :)

The only time I heard it being detrimental or a "curses" was on these message boards, however IRL, it helped me gain leadership experience and help transition into a post acute job that helped me get the position that I currently hold.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · May 26, 2015

LTC is an excellent place to start. Sure, it's tough but you learn to think on your feet. Time management and delegation. And if you are already an LPN (your post is a bit ambiguous on that), most employers will not allow you to 'work beneath' your license, as it can create a liability.

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · May 26, 2015

Hi Melody,

Before I was able to get an acute care job I worked in LTC for about eight months. I see any experience as being better than no experience at all. Luckily, several nurses at this LTC facility worked at the hospital that I wanted to get a job at. They were able to give me references when I was ready to apply. One tip could be to see if any of your local hospitals offer nursing classes (ACLS, PALS, etc.) to community members...this is a way to meet some nurses and staff members who work at the hospital and get to know them! Best of luck!

Blondenurse83 · May 26, 2015

I worked in LTC as my first nursing job, and then moved onto an acute position in a hospital. It didn't hurt me, and the job market was just as bad when I graduated. I say money and experience in nursing is better than no money and no nursing experience! Good luck.

Melody Pond · May 26, 2015

Thank you all for the encouraging feedback! I'm interviewing today for the LTC internship and have decided to do that or get my LPN. I think I will learn more in a nursing role (even in LTC) than I would working as a CNA.

Thanks for sharing the encouraging stories about transitioning to acute!

TiffanyMonroeRN · May 28, 2015

I was in your same position, and I have a BSN. No acute facilities were giving me an interview, so I got a job at the LTC. Did I hate it? Yes. Did I learn? Yes. After three weeks of working there, I got a call from one of the new grad programs I applied to, and interviewed there. I told them I was currently working at the LTC, managing up to 20 patients and supervising up to 8 CNAs. That was impressive to them, and it helped me get the job.