LTC vs Home Care

[teamhow]

Hi,

I am on my first job hunt for my new career and could really use some insight. Nursing is a second career for me and I am having a hard time making a decision between two offers I have received. I recently interviewed with Bayada for their pediatric Nurse Residency. The program sounds great and the training sounds like it would be a great way to begin getting into the home care nursing field. I was kind of shocked by hourly rate of $26-$31/per hour. I am curious if others have worked for the company and found ways to make more via overtime or some other way. I really like that type of Nursing as opposed to hospital nursing but need to be sure there is room for me to increase my salary over the years. The other offer I received was from a Nursing Home. I would love your thoughts about the two offers. The Nursing Home seems appealing to me because the hours are three daytime 12 hour shifts with every other weekend however I'm not sure there is much room for advancement. As a brand new nurse, with no nursing experience, which do you think is the better choice. I would love to hear from both sides. Thanks in advance for your help!

[MJ48]

As a nurse that has done both I can say there are some advantages and disadvantages to both. Here in Canada I did home care for about 4-5 years after I graduated from an RPN program. For me I learned alot of skills and gained knowledge from home care which you can take in apply in a different setting like a hospital ie. IV skills, wound care and assessment. Another advantage for me was that it was somewhat flexible for me. If I had an appointment or something going on that day I was working I could usually fit in my schedule as I got to schedule my own clients as long as they weren't time sensitive patients. One of the down sides was all the driving that I had do and distance between clients/patients. This can make the day very long depending on how many you have to see. Also the wear and tear on your vehicle. Also here in Canada we get paid per visit not per hours. Most companies here are paid per visit.

I graduated from an RPN - BScN program last year 2016. It took me months to get an interview but eventually landed a job at a LTC facility this year. I have been working there for about 6 months but already looking for another job. At first I enjoyed it but have grown to hate and loathe going to work there now. Since I have started there has been a new changes in management. The new administrator didnt even last as long as I did. I have had to talk to the new DOC a few times. She was concerned about my documentation and my assessment skills. I know that I am new to LTC nursing but I didn't think my documentation and assessment skills were bad. I currently feel like I am getting pick on at work. Also orientation was only like 6 shifts and then your on your own. In not sure what it is like were you are. Also I feel like in LTC you are losing out on using your skills. Also in my opinion working in a LTC causes more stress on a nurse as you are the charge nurse for you floor. You are in charge of not only the residents but staff as well and checking doctor's orders and many other things.

My advice would be to try out home care first as you gain and learn more than LTC. If you find that its not you then try LTC. Hope this helps.