LTC vs. Hospital Nursing as entry job in the US

[vgsrn]

Maybe too late for me to ask about this, since my case has just recently been completed at NVC and I'm now waiting for my packet 4.

I'll be going to NJ to work in an LTC. I asked my agent before regarding nurse to patient ratio and all they replied was it's manageable and there are LPN's and aides too.I dont know what's manageable to them. Now my dilemma is that a friend said the nurse patient ratio can be as high as 30-60 patients per nurse...woahhh that's even worse than a government run facility here in our country.Although the residents of an LTC are not as ill as those in the hospital that load would need serious time management and prioritization on the part of a nurse.In comparison with hospitals that have 5-10 patients per nurse depending on cases.

With that comparison I guess I'm getting anxious about what's waiting for me in that LTC facility.The facility promised 3 months orientation and training.I hope they live up to that.

Any feedback from your friends or friends of friends who went to work in an LTC as their entry job in the US?

I have an option to buyout the contract but that's bigbucks I havent even earned and would take time for me to earn.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hate to tell you but you will have thirty to sixty patients that you are legally responsible for per shift. And I have never seen a facility like that give ta three month oreintation. Some here have recently been complaining about only getting five shifts in orientation.

Glad that your agency said that it is doable, chances are they have never even been to the US, or in an LTC.

There is no way that I would ever recommend LTC for even a new American grad, let along someone from overseas that is not acclimated to how things are done to begin with.

[tetet]

Maybe too late for me to ask about this, since my case has just recently been completed at NVC and I'm now waiting for my packet 4.

I'll be going to NJ to work in an LTC. I asked my agent before regarding nurse to patient ratio and all they replied was it's manageable and there are LPN's and aides too.I dont know what's manageable to them. Now my dilemma is that a friend said the nurse patient ratio can be as high as 30-60 patients per nurse...woahhh that's even worse than a government run facility here in our country.Although the residents of an LTC are not as ill as those in the hospital that load would need serious time management and prioritization on the part of a nurse.In comparison with hospitals that have 5-10 patients per nurse depending on cases.

With that comparison I guess I'm getting anxious about what's waiting for me in that LTC facility.The facility promised 3 months orientation and training.I hope they live up to that.

Any feedback from your friends or friends of friends who went to work in an LTC as their entry job in the US?

I have an option to buyout the contract but that's bigbucks I havent even earned and would take time for me to earn.

I started to work in a LTC facility when I first arrived here. It was overwhelming for me to take care of 30-45 patients since I was used to a 1:2 ratio. I didn't have a contract with my petitioning facility so I was able to move to a hospital after a year. If you have other options, try to find a hospital job first.