New Grads in LTC... Opinions please

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Hi there! I am a New Grad, and I'm just about to start a PRN position at a LTC. I'm nervous. I've applied at multiple hospitals in the area, but that's been very challenging. Everyone I've met so far at this LTC is so nice, but it's just not exactly where I thought I would be starting my nursing career. I wanted to see what experience can tell me. Hopefully it's good :) Oh, and any advice is welcome!! Thanks!

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

There should be an LTC forum here from which you can glean useful tips and advice. Get several days or couple weeks' orientation if at all possible. Be open to advice from the seasoned nurses. Slap a smile on your face and keep it there! Good luck to you!

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I started in LTC as a new LPN. I thought it would be better as a "older" nurse and for me to continue at school. Well I was wrong, but in a good way. LTC will teach you great organization skills, leadership skills and the basics. You will have experience will all kinds of personalities including psych patients. You will learn what polypharmacy is. ;) You will learn a lot about pressure ulcers.

I found it to be a great learning experience. It was tough at first, but I hung in there and I am better for it.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am starting a new job tomorrow in LTC so you are not alone. Have you started yet? Let me know how your first shift was.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

As the ADON, I love to take on new grads in LTC, but I wouldn't want one that is PRN. I feel that you are going to have a very hard time getting a grasp on what you are doing on a PRN basis. Repetition is the key to gaining confidence and organization. You can't possibly learn this bouncing from unit to unit/shift to shift.

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Specializes in LTC.
As the ADON, I love to take on new grads in LTC, but I wouldn't want one that is PRN. I feel that you are going to have a very hard time getting a grasp on what you are doing on a PRN basis. Repetition is the key to gaining confidence and organization. You can't possibly learn this bouncing from unit to unit/shift to shift.

On call was all that the facility had availiable at the time. The DON said that as you build seniority they will offer you a position(part time/full time). I am looking at my schedule for the month and they have me on about 2-3 days a week. I do have a non nursing job part time. So I plan to stay there too.

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Yes, I too am a new grad at a LTC facility and would like advice and any helpful websites. The place i work shortstaffed so after 3 days of training im on my own tommorow and am worried if something would come along that im not sure about what i would do. So like any basic emergencies i should know about so i am prepared would be great!

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