new nurse HATES LTC

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Specializes in LTC.

After working in LTC for 7 months, I have come to the conclusion I hate LTC. I am entirely disenchanted with nursing already, as it is NOTHING like I thought it would be. I didn't expect to swoop in a save everyone and sprinkle fairy dust around and watch people magically heal. I realize a lot of these folks are here until death, and I'm O.K. with that part of it. But I decided to be a nurse because I wanted to make a difference in someones' life like, get them to smile even though they've had a bad day, or make someone laugh who is feeling down, or just help someone manage their pain. But, all I do is pass meds as quickly as possible, chart, do tx's as quickly as possible, everything is hurry, hurry, hurry! Right now I'm on a 60-bed Alzheimer's unit, working 7p-7a, so most of them are asleep, which limits my ability to "chat" with them anyway. I am usually by myself from 11p-7a which means I spend all of my time doing paperwork and preparing for 0600 med pass. Is there something else I can do as a LPN who's only been licensed for 4 1/2 months? (I worked the other 2 1/2 months as an aide while waiting to test). Most places around here want 1 year experience as a nurse. I don't think I can hang on for another 7 months just trying to gain experience. To complicate matters, I am going back to school in May to start pre-req's for the RN program, which limits my availability. Any suggestions will be appreciated. And thank you for letting me whine.

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Unfortunately, that's the reality of nursing. I know when I was a CNA, I got to spend more time with the residents than when I became a nurse. Even if you worked days, you would still have little time to interact with the residents. I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but that's reality.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I would stick it out, as long as you can practice safely and protect your license. Having that magical one year of experience will open more doors for you in the long run...

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Specializes in Acute,Subacute,Long-term Care.

i can relate to your post. i work in ltc and it is hurry hurry hurry! sometimes it seem there just isn't enough time to get everything done. believe it or not we do make a difference in the residents life. we are their voice when they can't speak for themselves. we provide comfort to them when they are scared or worried about something. also in their last days/moments of life, we are there for them. i'm having a hard time putting what i want to say into words, as i'm tired. i just finished a 13.5 hour shift.

it does get frustrating and i agree we don't get to spend as much time with them as we'd like to because we are so rushed to get things done. that is the sad part of working in ltc ( well one of them ).

i had a resident tell me that she was "happy i was there because i knew just what to do" about a particular problem that she was very worried about.

so even though we don't get to spend as much time with them as we'd like, we do make a difference.

i will quit rambling now, i hope that you find what it is you're looking for.

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I hear you, and am pretty much in the same boat for the same reason.

Just try and hang in there for a year, and everything will hopefully work out. There's nothing else I can say, because -again- I'm in the same boat - just trying to do two people's jobs, on a slaves salary - getting yelled at nearly everyday by residents or management - and hopefully, am still able to make a difference in the lives of a few.

And although I'm exhausted also, I think I am making a difference, although not as much of one as I'd like.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

The only thing I can say is, If you HATE LTC, quit. Dont do it. Leave. What would make anyone stay in a job they hate??? The beauty of the health care field is that there are so many oppurtunities. You dont have to be "stuck" with anything. Perhaps you should look into hospital or clinic type work.. Eventually we all find our "calling" and, please, never "settle" for anything. YOU and the people you care for are worth more than settling.... Things will get better :)

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Specializes in Started out in L and D,NICU,PP and Well.

I have worked in LTC for 22 years -and some days I feel like you do . However, most of the time I am grateful to help my residents in some little way that I might not even realize at the time! I usually leave feeling pretty good about Something that happened! But you are right- it is very challenging! One of my nursing mentors told me in my first years of practice that you have to have really good assessment skills to work in LTC because you don't have a doctor or a resident down the hall to call and ask "Hey, what do you think?" You are gaining skills in many areas -you are becoming a "generalist" who is knowledgeable about MedSurg, Rehab, Geriatric, and Psych.(oh yeah, we use that in every interaction! even with other staff :nurse:) I find that there are definately rewards in this area of practice, but you will find something that appeals to your inner nurse and then go for it! Thank goodness that there are so many choices within nursing-because we are all made with different strengths...good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.
The only thing I can say is, If you HATE LTC, quit. Dont do it. Leave. What would make anyone stay in a job they hate??? The beauty of the health care field is that there are so many oppurtunities. You dont have to be "stuck" with anything. Perhaps you should look into hospital or clinic type work.. Eventually we all find our "calling" and, please, never "settle" for anything. YOU and the people you care for are worth more than settling.... Things will get better :)

The hospitals around here don't utilize LPN's, and everyone else wants that "1 yr experience" before they'll hire. I plan to drop to weekend op when I start school next month, which may help with the feelings of being overwhelmed which in turn manifests as feelings of loathe and dread. I will eventually move on when I can, but for now must endure this "trial by fire". Please know I provide my residents with the best care possible, as I am fully aware I am there by choice while most of them are not. I love my residents, and want to continue with geriatric care, just not on a 60:1 basis. I would honestly like to get into hospice, but there again they like 1 yr experience first. But that hasn't stopped me from putting in aps! I'll find my calling. I'm hard-headed that way!

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Specializes in psych,geri,med-surg,peds.

Take note- ALL fields of nursing are becoming hurry hurry hurry! In 17 years of nursing (of which it took me 11 yrs to find my passion 'pediatrics') I have worked psych, LTC, Substance abuse, doctor office, oncology, med-surg, and alas! acute care peds. The problem that is affecting ALL fields of healthcare is that private/state/federal insurance companies are cutting back on coverage of medical care costs so drastically that facilities are having to cut back costs as well. The 'cuts' I have noticed are primarily in staffing, where we used to have 2 CNA'S to assist on a 30 bed med/surg floor we now have 1 and "acuity" of staff is assessed every 8 hours (even though we work a 12 hour shift). If I start my day with 6-8 patients but three are discharged, 1 nurse is sent home and we 'split her team' giving us 7-10 patients for the rest of the shift making us hurry hurry hurry to get things done! So if your disenchanted with NURSING all together, rethink your goal and remember that one of the essential qualities of nursing is "patience and endurance" for the good of others! Be patient for your own good, because it sounds like you realize that is your best option for now, and begin looking for the 'field' that you could be passionate about, then you will have the motivation and drive to ENDURE those hurried days and enjoy the days you have the time to be the nurse you want to be!

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Specializes in Women's Specialty, Post-Part, Scrub(cs).

Bluegeegoo2, I have read many of your posts over the past several months and have thought..she is a good person. I still do. You are going through what almost every new nurse goes through. Nursing in real life is NOT what we imagined it to be. It is all about hurry, do the paperwork, hurry, pass the meds, hurry, go home, hurry to sleep, hurry back to do it all over again 12 hours later. You say you have been at this for about 4-5 months...on a 60 bed Alzheimer's unit. Good Grief. Be glad they are asleep. You would not get much "chatting" with them, anyway. I, too, worked LTC for over a year, still do PRN...cause I love "my people". My facility is 101 bed...no separate units, no restraints, Flat go out of your mind chasing these little folks who think they can walk, or that they are still 30 y/o. Some just don't know what decade they are in. Others do know, but have have problems that leave them there, which adds to depression LTC is not for everyone. It was not for me...led to depression, sleeplessness, ect. Even though I love them dearly. It is why I do PRN with them. Three or Four days a month lets me sleep soundly. BUT it took me over 6 months to get comfortable with just being a nurse and learning how to be a nurse in the real world. I learned how to hurry and how to chat and make "that difference" at the same time. I flat out refuse to do the mood sheets unless something really wild happens. I don't have time, I spend my time with my residents instead. I never got fired for it, because I could justify what I did as patient care which is primary. (good DON)

You would be surprised at what a difference you make by being there. You have come to know them in this time frame. Something an agency person or a string of new nurses who quit does not. If you think about it, you can probably already tell when one of them is going bad as soon as you lay eyes on them. You know which ones like snacks late at night. What they like, whole meds or crushed in applesauce or pudding. Ice or tap water. What they are talking about when they ramble on about something in their past. YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE even if you cannot see it. That being said...I don't know where you live but it sounds like your much more limited in jobs than the LPN's in my area. I went to a Family Birth Center/ Women's Specialty Hospital. They don't hire many LPN's so I feel fortunate be one. (The DON's husband owned the xray company that serviced my LTC so I got double good references) There are many possibilities out there. I would just start putting my application in everywhere if you are really unhappy. You never know when a niche just might open up and your name comes up. Network with your pt's families, too. You might be surprised who they know. I can get into our very hard to get into College of Nursing for RN if I want to because I have taken very good care of the DON's mother for a year and half. My son (who wants to be a cop) has a good reference to the Sherriff's dept here upon graduation...ect. Also, you might like a dr.'s office. I know the ones here hire LPN's. Pay is rather crappy, though. Hospice is a good field but even here they want 2 years or better exp because of critical thinking and assessment skills. Just keep your head up and your spirits high knowing that a good caring nurse makes a huge difference in the life of the people she comes in contact with even if she doesn't always see the results of it.:chrs:

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Specializes in LTC/ rehab/ dialysis.

I became a bit unhappy with LTC myself. I loved some of the patients and my interactions with them so much, but always felt very rushed. With 30 patients I did not feel I was able to provide the quality of care I would have liked. I'm an LPN and currently work in dialysis. I started on the hemo floor, but had an opportunity to transfer to peritoneal dialysis, which I love. It's very one on one with patient contact. I train the new patients, draw their monthly labs, so lot of phone support, etc. There are other opportunities out there for LPNs. Just hang in there and find your nitch. All the best to you!! :nurse:

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Specializes in Nursing Home, Dementia units, & Hospital.
:twocents: I've been an LVN for over 12 years and most of those were logged in a LTC facility. I am now working in a hospital and I can tell you the old phrase "The grass is always greener..." is so very true. I may have less patients now to care for I average 5 to 6 patients daily, but I spend even less time with them than I did as a charge in LTC or in the Dementia Care Unit. Enjoy the time you spend caring for your patients, you are helping and they know this as well as the family members. Sometimes they can't tell you or they forget to tell you and sometimes they just don't think saying "thank you" is ever going to be enough for all you do for the mom, dad, etc.
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