LTC....to stay, or not to stay???

Moogie · Jun 3, 2009

If you have a job you love, stay. It sounds like a positive work environment for you, which will help increase your competence, efficacy, and self-esteem when you get your RN. In LTC, you are learning time management skills, supervisory skills, and increasing your knowledge of gerontology, which will be vital as the population ages.

Many nurses don't have positive experiences in LTC: the pace, the stress, the people with whom they work can all be factors in creating negative work environments. You have a tremendous gift in having a workplace that you love! Do you want to risk losing that to jump into something that might be more stressful and less rewarding simply because you think you "should"?

Honestly, I would not change jobs simply because you're graduating from an RN program. There is the chance that you won't pass boards (crossing my fingers, hoping that won't happen!) But if, God forbid, you don't pass, would you still be eligible to stay on at a new workplace? Wait until you have your RN license. Then if you feel restless or unchallenged, ask your DON about assuming more responsibilities. Or start exploring other opportunities and jump only if there's something that you simply cannot pass by.

Your point is well-taken about being "typecast" as a LTC nurse. Then again, the same thing happens to other nurses who work in specialty areas. Sometimes a specialty becomes your passion and you never want to leave. Sometimes you want a change, and, regardless of the specialty, some prospective employers will still see you as someone from that particular specialty. Thing is, you are learning so much in LTC. Use your experience. Learn about Alzheimer's, diabetes, CVD. Learn about the effects of aging on medications, nutrition, wound healing.

Lastly, the economy is also a huge factor. Right now it's hard to find jobs, period. Many nurses feel stuck in jobs they find stressful and work environments that they find toxic and cannot leave due to the economy. Hopefully the economy will be in better shape and it will be easier to find nursing jobs when you are ready to relocate.

Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted as to what you decide.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 3, 2009

If you have a job you love, stay. It sounds like a positive work environment for you, which will help increase your competence, efficacy, and self-esteem when you get your RN. In LTC, you are learning time management skills, supervisory skills, and increasing your knowledge of gerontology, which will be vital as the population ages.
Many nurses don't have positive experiences in LTC: the pace, the stress, the people with whom they work can all be factors in creating negative work environments. You have a tremendous gift in having a workplace that you love! Do you want to risk losing that to jump into something that might be more stressful and less rewarding simply because you think you "should"?
Honestly, I would not change jobs simply because you're graduating from an RN program. There is the chance that you won't pass boards (crossing my fingers, hoping that won't happen!) But if, God forbid, you don't pass, would you still be eligible to stay on at a new workplace? Wait until you have your RN license. Then if you feel restless or unchallenged, ask your DON about assuming more responsibilities. Or start exploring other opportunities and jump only if there's something that you simply cannot pass by.
Your point is well-taken about being "typecast" as a LTC nurse. Then again, the same thing happens to other nurses who work in specialty areas. Sometimes a specialty becomes your passion and you never want to leave. Sometimes you want a change, and, regardless of the specialty, some prospective employers will still see you as someone from that particular specialty. Thing is, you are learning so much in LTC. Use your experience. Learn about Alzheimer's, diabetes, CVD. Learn about the effects of aging on medications, nutrition, wound healing.
Lastly, the economy is also a huge factor. Right now it's hard to find jobs, period. Many nurses feel stuck in jobs they find stressful and work environments that they find toxic and cannot leave due to the economy. Hopefully the economy will be in better shape and it will be easier to find nursing jobs when you are ready to relocate.
Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted as to what you decide.

Worded WELL!! Working in a facility that I love would be hard to leave, and don't feel that you have to keep up with the Nursing Joneses'. If your specialty is LTC as an RN, so, be it. You can be a HAPPY LTC RN...something that is rare. I have not worked in nursing homes as an LPN because I am deathly afraid!! If I can come upon a situation like yours, I would work there in a heart beat. Good luck with graduation and the boards, and be where ever makes you happy.

PeppermintPat22 · Jun 3, 2009

i can only speak regarding my own experience; however, you are smart with knowing your options. i have worked in ltc for over 10 years and i did try to get back into hospital nursing and found it very difficult. for hospitals like the new grads that have all those "skills" fresh in their minds. good luck on your boards and in whatever decision you make. personally, i find working in ltc very rewarding, if one is in a nice facility with nice coworkers. be well and know we smile with you.....

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 3, 2009

And also, keep in mind that nursing is so vast! I used to feel that being a clinic nurse limited me because I don't get the chance to do all of the skills I learned in class, but, I also make a strong contribution to teaching the community about preventive or maintainence care. Make your home where your heart is!

PAERRN20 · Jun 3, 2009

I think switching jobs while in school will cause some additional stress. I wish I could say I liked my job as much as you seem to. You say you will be done with the RN program in December. Why not wait until then to pursue a hospital job. Six months isn't very long. Also, you will have a better chance landing a job as a new graduate RN. I know hospitals in my area are cutting back and only hiring RN's these days. These are some ideas to think about.

amoss2345 · Jun 8, 2009

I was SOOOO affraid of LTC. I thought that I would hate it. I thought that it would be depressing and that I would come home every day in a bad mood....in fact, I almost didn't take my LPN boards because in my area, there aren't many options for LPNs besides LTC....I am so glad that I did. I fell into a wonderful family owned facility. The pay is very good (I started at $23.75/hr.). The people are wonderful to the residents; and the residents are so cute and sweet. Sure there are days when one of them is very sick or dying and that gets you down, but in a sense, you are relieved when one of them goes....I never thought in a million years that I would like it, but I'm sure glad that I decided to give it a whirl:)