Nursing Home as First Job

RNRefresher2016 · May 21, 2016

Khaleesi 123. How long are you working in LTC now. I understand you very well. I did try NH setting too. after 10 years absence from hospital bedside nursing.Never again.If you already have the experience a year or 2 in NH try Hospital setting.Do not give up being a nurse. I salute those nurse that stayed in LTC.I ran my own ALF for 8 years and it drained me....Want to go back to hospital setting.Here in Florida i need to get a refresher course to be able to get back in hospital even if license is active.I want to a nurse again so i have to do it...stay try your very best, learn attend those inservices look for free;)....then make your decision to change your direction...DO NOT GIVE UP BEING A NURSE.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 21, 2016

So, this would be your first job. NH can be a nurse's first job. It is very different from hospital nursing. Did you do a clinical rotation in a NH/SNF? It is often a difficult environment from the stand point that they are often understaffed and over-worked. I would say that if you already fear going there, it might not be the place for you. Nursing is tough. I am not going to sugar coat that. It's a tough job and that is why we are paid well.

Adding: 2 hrs away sounds like a long commute. Only you know whether you think you can do that. I wouldn't unless I had no other choice.

khaleesi123 · May 22, 2016

Khaleesi 123. How long are you working in LTC now. I understand you very well. I did try NH setting too. after 10 years absence from hospital bedside nursing.Never again.If you already have the experience a year or 2 in NH try Hospital setting.Do not give up being a nurse. I salute those nurse that stayed in LTC.I ran my own ALF for 8 years and it drained me....Want to go back to hospital setting.Here in Florida i need to get a refresher course to be able to get back in hospital even if license is active.I want to a nurse again so i have to do it...stay try your very best, learn attend those inservices look for free;)....then make your decision to change your direction...DO NOT GIVE UP BEING A NURSE.

I haven't started working yet. I'm scared but, thank you for the encouragement :yes:

khaleesi123 · May 22, 2016

So, this would be your first job. NH can be a nurse's first job. It is very different from hospital nursing. Did you do a clinical rotation in a NH/SNF? It is often a difficult environment from the stand point that they are often understaffed and over-worked. I would say that if you already fear going there, it might not be the place for you. Nursing is tough. I am not going to sugar coat that. It's a tough job and that is why we are paid well.
Adding: 2 hrs away sounds like a long commute. Only you know whether you think you can do that. I wouldn't unless I had no other choice.

I never had my clinical in a nursing home. We always had it in a private hospital setting. For the past years, all I ever wanted was to pass NCLEX and things will be alright. Only when I passed the exam I realized that this is it, the real world of nursing. I know that it is a tough job. I don't have any experience yet that is why I'm still terrified.

CanadianRN16 · May 22, 2016

What is the acuity of care for patients in nursing homes? I work in long term care, and when I do med pass am responsible for 30-40 people (including 1-2 tube feedings and 2-3 palliative patients). If you have supportive staff and aren't short staffed on your shift, it's not that bad. The most time consuming part of my shift is paperwork.

RainMom · May 22, 2016

...she would tell me how she wanted to give up and that she would cry every night because of the "cruel" environment...

That is not exclusive to LTC nursing. Talk to enough new grads (or search in the First Year forum) & you will find other nurses with that same sentiment no matter what area their first job is...LTC, acute, ALF, clinic, home health...

The first job you take is going to have a HUGE learning curve. You will be scared, overwhelmed & doubting yourself. It's only a problem if you let it paralyze you, unable to move forward. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you from considering every possible job opportunity, ESPECIALLY in a tough job market. (Once you have a little experience, it will be easier to move on to another area if that first job isn't as good as you hoped.)

If LTC is likely the only available new grad position in your area, then that may be where you need to start, or else think about relocating. If possible, spend a shift shadowing units before taking a position.

Just know that the better part of your success in a job is dependent on you...not management, coworkers, or facility. Take control.

khaleesi123 · May 23, 2016

Thanks a lot @RainMom. I realized it's okay to scared. It's a normal feeling specially for folks like me who's facing the unknown reality of nursing, yet. Your words were encouraging enough for me to realize that this is just the first step of becoming a great nurse one day.

pwetmore · May 27, 2016

the Nursing Home , especially for new grads is ....over whelming !!! Ive been in it so long, I have to keep reminding myself that the new person needs a lot of support ...which I do believe I give ...(night supervisor)..but even with that...some and most just SINK. To my knowledge the schools don't really prepare the students to work in a NH, from what I can see. And... the NH, do not give the proper training. The environment can be...pretty...depressing..in a lot of areas. From rude bosses, to lack of training, to dirty carpets, and taking care of 40 residents at night...can just put even the experienced nurse into a panic. Some suck it up...and some drop out. Good luck !!!