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Discussion

LTC's in California

I am thinking that I should become an LVN. And of course that would put me working in LTC/SNF and such. Which I really do think I would enjoy however. Thats the one of the places where I feel good nurses are much needed. I am however, really nervous about the many topics on this board about LTC's and how many nurses absolutly hate working in those places. I know it has to be different everywhere, and I was wondering if the LTC's are better out here in California? I thought I read somewhere that we have certain laws here that require for LTC's to be run a certain way/better work environnmet and better nurse/patient ratios...but I could be wrong.

I live in So Cali, in Bakersfield. I was hoping that some LVN's who work in LTC, who live in Cali, So. Cali, to chime in and give me your experiences in this field.

Thanks!

P.S. I was also cosidering my want for working in L&D, but I would have to go for the RN program instead, (which I dont know if I want to take on an RN's responsibilities or not. I would think that L&D's are much more laid back work invironment than LTCs are....but again, I dont know! LOL

I do know that I think I would get really burnt out if I was working in a very high risk situtation where I would have to think critically fast in helping to save someone's life! Thats why I thought maybe Assisted living and/or LTC/SNF would be a good fit for me.

What do you guys think?

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    I guess I'll chime in.

    I lived in Bakersfield for a couple of years while earning my LVN license, then moved to Texas. Working in nursing homes/LTC facilities is difficult in California for a couple of reasons. First of all, the legally mandated nurse/patient ratios in California only apply to acute care hospitals, not nursing homes. Secondly, California does not utilize medication aides, so the RN or LVN is stuck passing pills to 30+ elderly residents. Lastly, the RN or LVN must also deal with other issues in the nursing home such as hostile family members, patient falls, assessments, charting, paperwork, wound care, reordering of medications, finger stick blood sugars, trach care, stable vents, feeding tubes, insubordinate CNAs, and so forth.

    I now live in Texas, where medication aides are widely used. They pass all the oral pills while the nurse (RN or LVN) receives ample time to deal with the other crap that arises during a typical shift in the nursing home.

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    • Author

    First of all, the legally mandated nurse/patient ratios in California only apply to acute care hospitals, not nursing homes.

    Yea, I just read that somewhere....How long have you been in acute rehab? Is it "better" in a sense in your opinion? How many patients do you have? Would a new LVN grad be able to get into acute rehab? I read up on SOME people that like working in acute rehab. Whats the stress level like, and what hourly wage would a new LVN grad get?

    Thanks for "chiming" in btw!!;)

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    • Experts
    Yea, I just read that somewhere....How long have you been in acute rehab? Is it "better" in a sense in your opinion? How many patients do you have? Would a new LVN grad be able to get into acute rehab? I read up on SOME people that like working in acute rehab. Whats the stress level like, and what hourly wage would a new LVN grad get?

    Thanks for "chiming" in btw!!;)

    I work 12-hour night shifts at a small rehab hospital from 6pm to 6am, and I typically have anywhere from 7 to 11 patients. The facility where I am employed hires LVN new grads, but keep in mind that I am in Texas. I believe that my workplace starts new LVNs out at about $20 hourly. The stress level is sometimes low, and at other times it is very stressful.

    Since you live in the Bakersfield area, there is a Healthsouth Rehab Hospital in your area that might hire LVNs. I would look into it.

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    • Author

    Oh, I for sure will! Thanks for the tip!

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    Are there anymore LTC's in Bay area still hires new grads?? if so where are they located> I might be interested to work there...thanks.

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