New grad - landed job in LTC facility...any advice

Published

Hi, I am a new grad RPN in Ontario. I recently accepted a full time position in a new LTC facitlty. We will be opening the doors in the new year and I'm a little nervous (having no experience). I'm looking for advice and tips that anyone can give me!! If yu were able to help set up your floor what would you have them do??

Thanks, Kelly

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Kelly right??? Cute name.. Run Kelly Run as fast as you can if you value your license you will look for another job as fast as possible. Heed my warning run run run. Read the postings on LTC's most of them are check your license at the door. These are my thoughts use them as you wish.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm with Karma on this. Not to discourage you by any means....If you decide to stay and continue...be watchful for any red flags and follow your gut feeling. If anything odd, get outta there. I just had an experience with a Nursing & Rehab LTC facility..and I am also a new grad and first job..It didn't turn out so hot..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's funny I didn't realize this until after the fact....maybe not all places are the same but after reading up on some posts here..The LTC problem for new nurses seems to be common..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there and I was reading your post, and I am a new RN grad, and I am curious what have heard about LTC and new grads???

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Wow...all y'all are so negative. I've spent most of my career in long term care and have never worked in a bad building. People's licenses are at risk because they are bad nurses and do things improperly, not simply because they work in long term care. I'm glad none of you work for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Not sure it LTC is different here in Canada to the US but I am actually enjoying my time in LTC and even though I have several years experience it is acute nursing and in the UK. I work in a new building that opened and have 32 clients with a LPN during the day shifts however night shifts the RN is on their own.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Cape...I am one of the most positive optimistic people I know and have been through a lot of bad/good experiences..so it's not being negative its just the truth, Maybe all LTC facilities are not the same..but I experienced it and I see a lot of other people on here have to....I hate that I had to have a bad experience in my first job and it had to be a LTC facility...I would never go back unless I knew that the facility really cared about it's people "nurses" and maybe after a few years experience it might be different. Then I wouldn't have to worry soo much about these well seasoned nurses attacking me..I could "hold my own" as people say.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was too a new grad at a LTC facility. I was placed as charge nurse on the 3-11 shift and I had 1 lpn, 5 cna's and 60 residents. It was nuts! I enjoyed my time there and LEARNED SOOOO MUCH. Especially time management. I left because the facility was very shady. I was being left alone on the floor with out an LPN or short a CNA and it was dangerous! I didn't feel comfortable. So alas 2 months ago I left. I don't know if there is a patient to nurse ratio in Canada. If so then you will be fine! You will get to know your patients and love them! Always go with your gut!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
I was too a new grad at a LTC facility. I was placed as charge nurse on the 3-11 shift and I had 1 lpn, 5 cna's and 60 residents. It was nuts! I enjoyed my time there and LEARNED SOOOO MUCH. Especially time management. I left because the facility was very shady. I was being left alone on the floor with out an LPN or short a CNA and it was dangerous! I didn't feel comfortable. So alas 2 months ago I left. I don't know if there is a patient to nurse ratio in Canada. If so then you will be fine! You will get to know your patients and love them! Always go with your gut!

Thats my scenario. I wasnt thrown to the wolves( aka was charge nurse) until 8 months after being hired. I learned so much even before I was charge but in the past two months my "backbone" has really had a growth spurt. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

Good luck in your new position OP :)

In March I started as a new LPN in an LTC. For the first few months it was pretty stressful, but once I got to know my job and residents the stress decreased.

I'm fortunate that normally I work with 20 residents, sometimes 30 if we're short staffed nurses. We have enough aids for safety :)

Where I live not every LTC is safe for residents or staff. The nurses who care don't work there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

Good luck in your new position! I have worked in LTC and I loved it! Not all LTC's are bad--there are some really good ones. We used to work 12 hr shifts and I really enjoyed only working 3 days/week. The only reason I left was because I was offered a job at a hospice company and I'm still there after 11 years. Time management is very important in LTC! I'm sure you are going to learn so much. I miss the residents I used to work with and the families.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion