LTC- I hate it. Keep it or no?

Nurses Career Support

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Hey, everyone!

I recently started working at a long-term care facility as a LPN. I love the elderly, so I thought this would be a good start as a new grad (my first job).

I hate it for multiple reasons: only had a 1 day orientation, losing my skills, pushing meds all day, the management is horrible, no days off (very understaffed), and ALL split shifts (8-12pm, 4:30-8:30pm). I can't even go home between my split shifts because I live so far away from it. So I stay in the break room for 4 hours.

I can't stand going to work. I dread it everyday... and it's only the first month.

People are saying to pay your dues and get experience for one year, so I can get a reference. But I heard hospitals won't even consider you if you've only had LTC experience. Is that true? If it is, should I keep this job or no?

Thanks for reading.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Can you not hang on whilst looking else where for work?

1
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Hi There !

As a LPN who has extensive experience in LTC and skilled care, I find that working in nursing homes is exhausting even at the best of times. I'm not sure what state you live in, but in PA at least, LPN's really can't work in hospitals. If they do, they are "glorified nursing assistants." At my facility right now, I "unofficially" have the role of the charge nurse, med and treatment nurse, activity director, and nursing assistant. I would like to leave long term and skilled care and take the experience I DO have and utilize it into something more worthwhile. Unfortunately, everything that looks like an interesting job, is related to RN's only.

Where can LPN's "really" work beside nursing homes in the state of PA ?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Hi There !

As a LPN who has extensive experience in LTC and skilled care, I find that working in nursing homes is exhausting even at the best of times. I'm not sure what state you live in, but in PA at least, LPN's really can't work in hospitals. If they do, they are "glorified nursing assistants." At my facility right now, I "unofficially" have the role of the charge nurse, med and treatment nurse, activity director, and nursing assistant. I would like to leave long term and skilled care and take the experience I DO have and utilize it into something more worthwhile. Unfortunately, everything that looks like an interesting job, is related to RN's only.

Where can LPN's "really" work beside nursing homes in the state of PA ?

Have you tried Acute Rehab, wound care, home health, specialty doctors offices?

When I was a LPN, I worked in home health and Acute Rehab...granted, this was about 10 years ago; I stayed in home health and went on to work at a Medical day care for children; I was even an independent contractor doing this as well as flu and immunization clinics.

What pushed me to get my RN was due to the fact that I couldn't be certified in my specialties (Rehab and Pediatrics) des poured knowing the equivalent (and sometimes more) knowledge in my position.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I think you can try to hang in there and look for another position....working a split shift with 4 hrs down time, on top of working everyday doesn't sound well at all.

There are other facilities that may be better run...now that you know, you can ask about orientation length, staffing, responsibilities, schedules, etc.

Best wishes!

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I think one better than none which is my case. I love the elderly as well and I "think" I would be okay in LTC but I can't even find the opportunity for a job opening hiring a new grad RN most go for LPNs. I think it is best to go for the one yr experience then move on rather than quit now and have no job and no experience. I can tell its very hard on you though, play it by heart as well. No matter how many people here tell u to hold on the job, if you feel your getting sick over it or have health issues because of your job then you have every right to quit. Good Luck.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

LTC isn't bad, but unfortunately some facilities are. Short orientation and chronic understaffing are common in LTC, but requiring nursing staff to work split shifts most certainly is not and that would be a deal breaker for me. I have never heard of a place scheduling that way and sure wouldn't agree to it. Unless you can at the least insist on a regular schedule I would be out of there in a flash.

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