Nursing homes' bad reputation

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hello. I just started my first RN job (I am a new grad) in a nursing home/rehab center and I am very grateful for this opportunity. I didn't wait too long (around 1.5 - 2 months) for a hospital to call because I was afraid I would be waiting for months like many others so I took the first job I was offered. Although I am very excited to finally be a working RN, I am getting a little irritated because I've been getting negative responses and "disgusted" looks from nearly every person I've told that I work in a nursing home. Once again today, someone just said to me "A nursing home? Ugh, why would you want to work there...." :rolleyes:

I'm so excited to finally be working, but just feel like I don't want to tell anyone now because then they will ask where I work... and I don't want to see their response! lol.

Has this happened to any of you and how do you feel about it? I personally have no problem with working at a nursing home. I very much enjoy the geriatric population and they need nurses too! What's bothering me now is I feel that people are downgrading me, just based on facial expressions and responses I've gotten. I know that other's opinions do not matter, but I am curious how other nurses have ever dealt with this... Thanks. :nurse:

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

I wouldn't get too offended by nurses who make comments like that. Generally their own insecurity and feelings of inadequacy make them feel the need to put others down. Nursing takes all kinds. There are good nurses and bad nurses, whether you're in the ICU, the psych unit, or the health department.

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

I apologize if I came across a little snarky in my previous post. Unfortunately, that was the 2nd time in the past week I came across those sentiments on this BB, and it got me a little fired up. :chair:

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Specializes in ADON at LTC, Previous PCU, Ortho etc....

Let me say that when I posted my reply, I did not mean to offend anybody who works in a LTC, I only stated my opinion and comparison from personal experience. To each his own. Being a male I have slightly different idea of skills. I consider skills as primarily medical knowledge, hemodynamics, vasopressive drugs, good knowledge of physiology. Medical knowledge is what I consider the highest skill. Being around M.D. complex procedures, hi tech equipment, etc all that and more makes a hospital the best place to develop skills.

Bringing a cup of tea, giving an extra blanket, asking about grandchildren, spoon feeding, all those might also be done with skill. I ll take back my statement "There are no skills" Instead I say there are much much more higher level medical skills in a hospital. Ultimately it is what you like doing better. I like working in my LTC facility because it gives me a break from hospital's fast pace, I recover from stress while working in nursing home and at the same time make money.

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Specializes in LTC.
Let me say that when I posted my reply, I did not mean to offend anybody who works in a LTC, I only stated my opinion and comparison from personal experience. To each his own. Being a male I have slightly different idea of skills. I consider skills as primarily medical knowledge, hemodynamics, vasopressive drugs, good knowledge of physiology. Medical knowledge is what I consider the highest skill. Being around M.D. complex procedures, hi tech equipment, etc all that and more makes a hospital the best place to develop skills.

Bringing a cup of tea, giving an extra blanket, asking about grandchildren, spoon feeding, all those might also be done with skill. I ll take back my statement "There are no skills" Instead I say there are much much more higher level medical skills in a hospital. Ultimately it is what you like doing better. I like working in my LTC facility because it gives me a break from hospital's fast pace, I recover from stress while working in nursing home and at the same time make money.

Working in LTC is not asking about grandchildren and spoon feeding.

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I started in LTC as a new grad last June and am still there (now almost 15 months, yikes, lol). I wouldn't trade it for any experience out there in nursing. I still get the same reaction but I take pride in what we do because the work is so hard. I love working with the elderly and know I work in a field with a lot of need. I now work as a unit manager and am about to lead a new restorative program. I've also thought about wound care certification, and local universities are starting an externship program for students at our facility this spring. There is a ton of opportunity in LTC, anyone who reacts with anything but excitement for you doesn't understand LTC.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
Bringing a cup of tea, giving an extra blanket, asking about grandchildren, spoon feeding, /QUOTE]

I would love to give you some nasty come back to this, but I can't quit laughing to come up with something appropriate (or inappropriate:lol2:). Your "ignorance" on the subject is shining through and you are making enough of a fool of yourself that I don't need to add to it. BUT, you are a prime example of the OP's point.

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Specializes in Home Care.
Being a male I have slightly different idea of skills.

What are you implying with this statement?

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Specializes in ADON at LTC, Previous PCU, Ortho etc....
Bringing a cup of tea, giving an extra blanket, asking about grandchildren, spoon feeding, /QUOTE]

I would love to give you some nasty come back to this, but I can't quit laughing to come up with something appropriate (or inappropriate:lol2:). Your "ignorance" on the subject is shining through and you are making enough of a fool of yourself that I don't need to add to it. BUT, you are a prime example of the OP's point.

I am sorry you are still getting offended, you sound like you are a good LTC nurse. Plus it seems like you have a good sense of humor as well. I only expressed my opinion and once again did not intend to make the truth sound so hurtful. Bottom line if you truly think that your LTC is a great place to work then you are the right type of a nurse for that area of nursing. I'm sure LTC needs more nurses like you. Somebody has to work in LTC right?;)

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Specializes in ADON at LTC, Previous PCU, Ortho etc....
I experience that all the time. From doctors telling me "You're too smart to work in a nursing home," to other nurses smugly telling me I'll lose my skills. I work in a SNF because I want to. I love it. To be good at it, you have to be smart. I don't have RTs, phlebotomists, etc. My residents have me. Your assessment skills have to be top notch. You have to be okay with arguing with doctors who don't even know who the patient is and are mad that you bothered them with a nursing home patient. Residents in LTC are sicker than they used to be. It's not at all uncommon to have 5 or 6 residents that would otherwise be hospitalized, in addition to the other 26 residents. Your time management skills have to develop really fast. Your documentation has to be impeccable. But there's nothing like the bond you have with someone you've taken care of for 5 years, as well as the bond with their family. These people are precious, and they deserve excellent care.

You're a good nurse if you know your stuff, work hard and fight for your patient. No matter what your specialty is.

WOW ! you sound so professional and motivated. One day you will become a DON and that will be a great position.

Good luck

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Specializes in ADON at LTC, Previous PCU, Ortho etc....
What are you implying with this statement?

Males usually prefer more critical, high paced atmosphere(ER,ICU) whereas females(not everyone) generally go for areas that require more sensetivity, caring... :nurse:

And please do not argue with me, since I'm only expressing my opinion which is a subjective thing.

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I respect your opionon, but wonder what type of place you work at that it isn't fast paced? I tend to think that after 14 yrs + in LTC, I know what I'm doing. I've yet to really have the time to take tea to my residents or spoon feed them (yeah, that is sad). Instead, I am on the phone with the docs discussing current labs (hemodynamics), hanging IVs (sometimes titrating pain meds etc) , suctioning trachs, (in some places LTCs have vents) and using my assessment skills to send out the latest admit that I suspect has a PE (and did).

I beg you to find another LTC to see that it isn't all a cake walk...but then again...I'm wondering if I can have the name of your place so that I can "enjoy the down time" or "change of pace".

And yes, in my area, we don't see to many men in LTC. I might get flamed...but again...in my area they just either seem lazy or can't cut the emotional part of LTC (attachement to the residents and compassion). I have seen some excellent male LTC nurses and really, really wish we can get some back.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am sorry you are still getting offended, you sound like you are a good LTC nurse. Plus it seems like you have a good sense of humor as well. I only expressed my opinion and once again did not intend to make the truth sound so hurtful. Bottom line if you truly think that your LTC is a great place to work then you are the right type of a nurse for that area of nursing. I'm sure LTC needs more nurses like you. Somebody has to work in LTC right?;)

Stervets- I am curious why are you working in LTC?

If you want a rest from the hospital environment go to the beach.

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