Nurses Enjoy LTC

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:nurse: I hear so many complaints about Long Term Care Nursing such as the patient load, having to take shortcuts in order to leave on time, and feeling like a pill pusher, etc, I was wondering does any nurses enjoy LTC nursing? It seems like LTC is like a spit in the face to many nurses if they are not in an acute care setting. With that being said, what do you like about working in LTC?
Specializes in geriatric.
Wow, i guess in your area its better for LPNs to go to an acute setting for better pay. In my area a LPN left LTC making 24.50 hr, and went to an acute care hospital starting at 18 an hr. She had a little over a year of LPN nursing experience.

wow! i wish my pay was like that. i just a raise of $2 in my 2 years of working there and thanks to my union that i had that raise.

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Long term care is sad and ive been doing it 20 years. It all comes down to the mighty buck at the cost of the patient

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Specializes in Sub Acute and Wound Care.
Long term care is sad and ive been doing it 20 years. It all comes down to the mighty buck at the cost of the patient

I'm very sorry that you look at LTC as sad, especially after 20 years. I'm not sure I could do it that long if I thought that way.

I look at my job in LTC as being given a great honor to be allowed to care for someone on the last leg of their walk thru life. As a PP said listening to their stories is an amazing experience that unfortunately some of us don't take the time to do.

Is it sad when people die? of course. Do I cry? Like a baby. Am I glad I was there to hold their hand and say a prayer? absolutely. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Specializes in LTC/Skilled Care/Rehab.

Maybe I work at the wrong facility but it is extremely fast paced (especially day shift). Most of the nurses on day shift never have a chance for a break. You are constantly rushing to finish your med pass, relay labs, schedule appointments, get family members off your back, send residents who need more care to the hospital. I mostly work on the skilled unit so many of our residents have multiple health problems and are constantly in and out of the hospital. I do love my residents but wish I had more time to actually do assessments or get 5 mins to get something to eat. I love geriatrics which is something I never thought I would say before starting nursing school ;)

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Specializes in LTC currently.
wow! i wish my pay was like that. i just a raise of $2 in my 2 years of working there and thanks to my union that i had that raise.

I think LTC pay great for LPNS in chicago. The most I have have seen a LPN make is 26 an hour as a QA nurse, but she was really good at what she did because she kind of paved the way for the DON.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

I work LTC right now. I do like it a lot, but also find it too routine at times. I have recently been able to trade some shifts for my favourite surgical ward at the hospital, which I'm very excited about.

But overall, I like LTC and will continue to work there as long as I have hours and work there :)

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I work in LTC and I'm not a fan of it. It's giving me the experience that I need to get a job in a hospital, which is where I want to be. I don't think there is anything wrong with working in LTC, to each their own. I don't mind my residents, some of them even make my night at times but it's the same routine every night. I do my two med passes, help with dinner, do the very few treatments that I have, send out a couple faxes if needed, make a couple phone calls if needed, and chart. It's basically the same thing every night. I like variety and I like a change of pace.

I think everyone is cut out for different areas. Some really enjoy the pace and environment of LTC others prefer the change of patient faces and fast pace of other areas. I don't think it makes one area of nursing any better than the other as long as you enjoy what you are doing.

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Specializes in Sub Acute and Wound Care.
I think LTC pay great for LPNS in chicago. The most I have have seen a LPN make is 26 an hour as a QA nurse, but she was really good at what she did because she kind of paved the way for the DON.

Actually I work in the chicagoland area as an LPN and make more then 26 as a wound care nurse (not certified). Been in the field about 1.5 years. Can't complain at all!!!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
. . .it's the same routine every night.
Those of us who are drawn to LTC prefer the same low-stress routine and like to have an idea of what we're walking into when we arrive at work. I don't enjoy excitement, a fast pace, chaos, moving with a sense of urgency, constant admissions and discharges, or anything that typifies working in an acute care hospital setting.

This is the beauty of nursing. Thank goodness there's something to satisfy the different personalities of the nurses who enter this career pathway. :)

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Specializes in LTC currently.

QUOTE=CarreBarreLPN;5021673]Actually I work in the chicagoland area as an LPN and make more then 26 as a wound care nurse (not certified). Been in the field about 1.5 years. Can't complain at all!!!!

Thats great, your facility is paying you what you are worth. you are making more than some RNs in LTC. do you like being a treatment nurse? My mom was a treatment nurse at a Ltc facility but left to be a night supervisor at another nursing home, starting off at $31 an hr, she made 28/hr as a treatment nurse, and was able to work the floor for overtime, as there was lots of OT available.

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Specializes in Sub Acute and Wound Care.
QUOTE=CarreBarreLPN;5021673]Actually I work in the chicagoland area as an LPN and make more then 26 as a wound care nurse (not certified). Been in the field about 1.5 years. Can't complain at all!!!!

Thats great, your facility is paying you what you are worth. you are making more than some RNs in LTC. do you like being a treatment nurse? My mom was a treatment nurse at a Ltc facility but left to be a night supervisor at another nursing home, starting off at $31 an hr, she made 28/hr as a treatment nurse, and was able to work the floor for overtime, as there was lots of OT available.

I do! Our wound program has come a long way and I can honestly say that I truly enjoy it! And you're right the $$ is VERY good, especially for only having gone to school for 1 year!

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Specializes in LTC currently.

I do! Our wound program has come a long way and I can honestly say that I truly enjoy it! And you're right the $$ is VERY good, especially for only having gone to school for 1 year!

Thats great, im glad to see you are satisifed with your position, I really am. I cant wait to finsh school, I would love to do wound care or infection control.

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