nursing home and hospital compared.....

[rn4ever?]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in a geriatric facility/nursing home compared to working in a hospital? In terms of benefits, pay rate, and patient assignments, how different or the same are they? Thanks.

[suzanne4, RN]

Hospital is covered under ratios. 5 to 6 patients maximum.

Nursing home: 30 to 60 patients that you are legally responsible for.

Hospital: Orientation usually at least one month for new grad, for specialty areas can be three months and more

LTC: Perhaps one week, many times after thee shifts you are on your own.

Hospital: Benefits usually offer choices

LTC: No choices, most of the time, and the benefits can change frequently.

Nursing homes get sold much more frequently than hospitals, and administrators can change quite frequently as well.

Salaries are frequently less than what hospitals are paying in the same area.

[suzanne4, RN]

I should add that I am quite biased in my answer above. I never, ever recommend LTC for a new grad, and especially a foreign new grad. The orientation that you need just does not exist.