LTC interview/ what types of ????

[msdaschcav]

Hi all,

I am an RN and will be interviewing with the director of Nursing at a LTC facility this afternoon and I have never worked as a nurse. I was just wondering what type of questions should I anticipate? She made mention that LTC is totally different from the hospital. What other differences are there besides the pt load? Just need some advice to prepare myself as much as I can. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[mikeicurn, ASN, RN]

I have only worked in LTC, but some of my colleagues have worked in the hospital setting, and I have had to train some nurses that have come from the hospital. I can only speak from my experience, others may say something different. You have to be very independent in LTC. Hospital trained nurses tend to want to call the physician for every little thing. We don't work that way. If someone has a fever at 2:00am you don't call the Dr. You check and see what they have PRN, then you treat them. My DON told me when I started that I would really have the opportunity to hone my assessment skills, and she was right. We can order labs, and bring in portable x-rays when needed, but that takes time. Our labs are usually drawn in the morning, and you get the results that evening. So it is often 24 hours before you will get lab results. So you really need to rely on your senses, and assessment skills. I started working LTC part time as I was finishing school, I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I do. You really do use a lot of skills. You will need to start IV's, Change G-tubes, Draw blood for labs, insert foley's, head to toe as well as focused assessments, the list goes on and on. So to sum it up, I would expect to be asked some questions about being independant, and your assessment skills.

[NamasteNurse, BSN, RN]

also, you will probably be in charge of LPN's so you will need to have leadership skills. LPN's in LTC are in charge of CNA's so you will be called on to settle disputes that arise. Enforce policy, etc, if you are a supervisor. So you may be asked how would you handle such-and-such a situation on the floor.

[systoly]

Rather than trying to figure out what questions you may encounter, I suggest the following. Find out as much as you can about the facility. What is the ownership, what is their mission statement, what do you think they expect and how could you exceed those expectations. Reflect on your past and present goals and accomplishments.

[vald96]

long term care deals a lot of regulations.policies and procedures,i'm sure that would be the high light of your interview,assure the DON that you are responsible and accountable in all the things you do.