Hello all ~ I am looking to hear from nurses who are currently working or have a lot of experience in LTC or AL.
I'd like to use this thread as a place to get to know you a little better & ask questions as I think of them. And maybe get your opinions on jobs down the road, etc... should I choose to head down this path.
I am beginning the last semester of my ADN program. People have been asking me what I'm going to do ~ and while telling them I'm still not sure, I'm also telling them I think my heart is in LTC.
I have felt this way since before I started school.
I had a great experience in clinicals at the nursing home. I know not all facilities are like this one -- I know that, for sure. But it was good. It was smaller. Homey. If my grandmother needed to go somewhere, I would have no qualms about this one.
I've been in touch with the ADON there, and she's offered to meet with me to discuss LTC vs hospital, as she has had experience in both.
I have an aunt who has worked her way up in LTC management over the years and is pretty high up, over many facilities. She is encouraging me to head this direction, as well, as I already have an associates in Business Administration. She says LTC needs people and I could move up quickly if I can do a good job and manage a team well.
I don't have a strong desire to work in a hospital. My local hospital does hire ADN nurses regularly, so it's not that I can't -- it's that I don't necessarily want to. I think I just prefer a different environment.
I will be almost 40 when I graduate, and I am not dead-set on pursuing my BSN. That would be required to be completed within 5 years at my local hospital. I'm not sure about others. But my kids will be starting college soon, and I'm just not sure if that is the direction I want to head.
I'm also looking for days. And I know, as a new grad, that is limiting. But I also don't need the benefits, I don't have to be full-time, and I'm cool with PRN days, if that is all I can find.
One thing I noticed while looking through the threads in this section is that people were saying LTC pays less than hospitals. I have heard the opposite here, from my aunt, as well as from one of my instructors who worked in LTC. My aunt said her company also pays $2/hr more for PRN employees. I'd love to hear thoughts on this. I wonder if it is area-specific.
Thanks to anyone who responds! I value your experience, for sure. As I currently have none. :)