I'm a new grad charge nurse in a LTC facility. I've been there for almost 2 months and I'm at the point where I'm literally scared to go to work. At first I floated, and that was ok, but I just became a regular on a dementia/psych floor. The paperwork and charting is sooo heavy, and I'm the only nurse on a 40-bed unit. I know I have to "manage my time" more effectively, but there's not enough time in one 8 hr shift to do everything that is required of me.. and i don't take lunch.
I have to pass meds (and the time schedules of the meds are so crazy), start tube feedings, supervise CNAs, chart, pick up orders, check orders, treatments, and various other paper work that come in books.. and the worst of all is getting an admission.. i always fear that i'll get an admission .. and on top of all that, i JUST learned that i'm required to re-do the whole treatment book for the new month.. and my god, the daily interruptions i get.. supervisors coming every 5 mins to check the medex while i'm giving meds, CNAs calling me for this and that, residents not wanting to take their meds (i have to spend so much time just to encourage them to do so).
I don't want to quit because I want to be able to handle everything, and I've floated to every floor to know that other floors are easier to handle; still hard, but a little easier. I just don't believe one nurse can do it all safely.
Specializes in Progressive Care, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Geriatrics.
On 9/7/2021 at 9:19 PM, gooodnitenurse said:
I worked in LTC for over 30 years, it does not get better. get out while you are still young and before you become stereotyped. some employers think LTC nurses just care for elderly. they have no idea.
with an RN degree you can work almost anywhere you want. I don't know where you live but I would apply at a hospital for operating room, flight nurse, emergency or ICU. some hospitals offer internships. I would encourage you to specialize in an area you are interested in working. good luck to you.
I agree. I have been in LTC/STC/Rehab for more than 3 years now and I am trying to get out. Only thing that's holding me back is just applying and going through interviews as well as the horrible schedule. I currently work Sat-mon, 12 hours shift. I don't like the whole rotation schedule. I hate starting over new jobs, but when I look at it, LTC settings does not get any better. My workplace only has 2 RN staff at nightshift, me and my supervisor, the rest are all LPNs. You can tell where RNs are going to. That's right, staying away from LTC. Time to look around. Hospitals and other places are dying for new recruits. My hospital is giving 10K sign on bonus. LTC corporate is also not budging. I don't see them giving pay rate increase to sweeten the deal. Better look elsewhere.
...Hospitals and other places are dying for new recruits. My hospital is giving 10K sign on bonus. LTC corporate is also not budging. I don't see them giving pay rate increase to sweeten the deal. Better look elsewhere.
Yes! please move your career forward if that is what you want to do. Long-term care needs nurses, but they way we are treated there, especially RNs, is 100% not right. Please do yourself and your career a favor and move on.
I know I have to "manage my time" more effectively,
No you don't. This is a tactic used by DON's and administration so they don't have to do any work to help you. Note they haven't worked the floor in over 20 years so this is all they can offer you if they say you are the problem.
That sounds tough...the reason I don't do LTC. I know that someone has to do it but it's not going to be me. Give me my 2 in the unit or 6 on the regular floor and call it a day. I imagine that everything will get easier with time, but I just can't imagine how one nurse can safely take care of so many residents. That why when we admit SNF patients we find all those bedsores, etc...the nurses just don't have time to turn 40 patients every 2 hrs..it's impossible. I really can't give you advice for the LTC b/c I've never worked it...only heard horror stories. I suggest you hold onto your job while you look for something else...at the end of the day, it's your license...and this experience is still work experience. If you don't stay for at least 6 months...don't even bother putting it on your resume...that is if you want to leave...but not all of nursing is like that...although almost all of nursing will frustrate you.
I have my resignation letter typed up as soon as I checked on my references for the hospital I've applied to(got the offer, the background check came back and references were complete via email, dumb I know, but the hospital wanted them)in the same city my facility is in. It took me almost a week and a half to realize the facility I'm at now is bad. As a newly certified aide and new to the facility, they about made me take two halls with close to fifty residents last week and it was then I realized the facility is not worth losing my certification over for anything. It made me feel like the residents aren't getting cared for, and they're suffering because the facility screws the staff hard and staff leave as a result, and I'll be one of them come the 16th of next month.
I agree. I have been in LTC/STC/Rehab for more than 3 years now and I am trying to get out. Only thing that's holding me back is just applying and going through interviews as well as the horrible schedule. I currently work Sat-mon, 12 hours shift. I don't like the whole rotation schedule. I hate starting over new jobs, but when I look at it, LTC settings does not get any better. My workplace only has 2 RN staff at nightshift, me and my supervisor, the rest are all LPNs. You can tell where RNs are going to. That's right, staying away from LTC. Time to look around. Hospitals and other places are dying for new recruits. My hospital is giving 10K sign on bonus. LTC corporate is also not budging. I don't see them giving pay rate increase to sweeten the deal. Better look elsewhere.
I go to hospital setting next month as an aide and they'll get me certified as a PCT(bonus for when I go back to school!) and I couldn't be more happier. My official last day will be Friday the 13th next month, then the 16th will be my first day at the hospital.
.. and on top of all that, i JUST learned that i'm required to re-do the whole treatment book for the new month.. and my god, the daily interruptions i get.. supervisors coming every 5 mins to check the medex while i'm giving meds, CNAs calling me for this and that, residents not wanting to take their meds (i have to spend so much time just to encourage them to do so). 
Dani_Mila, BSN, RN
390 Posts
I agree. I have been in LTC/STC/Rehab for more than 3 years now and I am trying to get out. Only thing that's holding me back is just applying and going through interviews as well as the horrible schedule. I currently work Sat-mon, 12 hours shift. I don't like the whole rotation schedule. I hate starting over new jobs, but when I look at it, LTC settings does not get any better. My workplace only has 2 RN staff at nightshift, me and my supervisor, the rest are all LPNs. You can tell where RNs are going to. That's right, staying away from LTC. Time to look around. Hospitals and other places are dying for new recruits. My hospital is giving 10K sign on bonus. LTC corporate is also not budging. I don't see them giving pay rate increase to sweeten the deal. Better look elsewhere.