LTC Nurse has interview for MR/MDD facility

[wishinguponastarLPN]

So I am new grad who started in LTC about 6 weeks ago. The place I currently work is O.K....its the typically LTC place (poorly ran, short staffed, high pt ratios, ect) But I have grown to like my residents and the people I work with.

I've actually done very well and have adapted pretty easily. Today I got a call for an interview that I submitted a resume to back when I graduated. It is a MR/MDD State ran facility, it is closer to home and more pay. I am interested in this field. I currently have 25 residents and 2 of my residents have a history of MR/MDD and they are my favorite ones!:redbeathe

I have asked around to other nurses about this facility and they all say good things about it, but many of them said they were not able to deal with the behaviors and they seizures. Can you tell me more about this? Also, have any of you worked in LTC, how would you compare? I'm not certain of the age of the population just yet, I THINK there may be an adult side and a pediatrics side. It is also 2nd shift. Any thoughts, advice, ect, would be great.

Thanks!

[meadowsong, ASN, RN]

Go for it! You will love it, there is a learning curve when starting out working with MR/DD. It seems no nursing school does a good job with covering this subject.

I work in an ICF/MR for 2 years for about 14-15 clients. Each facility is very different and at ours staff did meds and most treatments. I did all injectables and more indepth treatments. I monitored their current health, attended appointments, devised quarterly reports, did a lot of staff education, ect ect ect. It was one of the best jobs I have had so far. Really enjoyed it :)