OMG...how do you folks in LTC do it day and and day out?

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

I just finished up my first clinical experience as a student nurse in the long term care setting. I did well, learned a lot and all in all it was a good experience.
My hats go off to ALL of you who work in LTC. You are special, special people. I could never do it...I would become too depressed, I'm afraid.
That's all...just wanted to tip my hats to the RNs, LPNs and CNAs who care for the LTC clients.

I thought the exact same thing when I did my first clinical in LTC. I said "if I ever end up working in LTC, I will shoot myself." And I also said "I will ONLY work in acute care, NEVER in LTC".

Well, guess where I'm working????????? LTC. And I really love it. Most days. I, too, thought it would be too depressing. Seeing the elderly lonely, bored and sleeping in their wheelchairs a good part of the day.

But once I was there as a full LPN and not a student, I saw just how much of a difference I could make in their lives. How to brighten their day. Get to know each resident and their families. Their histories. Do something small but special for them.

I was placed in a LTC facility for my final preceptorship in school and I was SO MAD!! But, as I spent 5 weeks there, I began to form relationships with each resident. I love seeing the same faces when I go to work and not a contstant rotation like in acute care. I like the pace (most days!). I love looking at the old pictures in their rooms and asking them about their families and life.

It is really very rewarding :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

LTC, in my opinion, is less stressful than the hospital setting. Although I have many more patients than the typical hospital nurse, my residents are usually in stable condition and have chronic illnesses instead of acute problems. The acuity level is the key factor in LTC.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 23, 2008

Thank you for your post! LTC is probably the most thankless, disrespected, and low-paid nursing specialty there is, but there's a reason why we do what we do. Helping the frail elderly and disabled to maintain their dignity and achieve whatever quality of life is possible for them is immensely rewarding in its way, and I'm glad to know that someone so new to nursing recognizes the value in this work.

Who knows.......you might just make a good LTC nurse yourself someday.

CHATSDALE · Oct 23, 2008

there are good things on all sides of nursing

in acute setting you will see the admission, the care and the end

it is satisfying to see someone recover from something serious, and it is gradifying to be a comfort for families who say that they know that you and the other staff did so much for their loved one

in the long term setting you get to know the residents and their families, you know the ones who get visitors, you know when they want to get up and when they want to go to bed, they welcome you when you have been on vacation and their faces light up when they see you

choose your own nursing option, there is room for everyone

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

Over the years my love of different types of nursing has changed.I loved the critical care environment where everything was fast paced where you needed every bit of your skills in a heartbeat.

I have worked LTC long enough to appreciate the wealth of knowledge the residents AND staff have. I really enjoy developing the relationships that make a difference. Geriatric nursing is a lot like peds in that when things go down the tubes, they do it quickly. The elders may not be able to tell you exactly what is wrong so your skills in observation are honed daily.

Many people in LTC will never leave alive. That is OK. They have lived full lives and most are ready to go when it happens

I find difficult (to me) loss of life in the prime of life by violence, diseases like ESRD, cancer where a young family is left. I believe that takes a certain kind of nurse, also.

Each of us has our place. Fortunately we don't have to stay in the same place for our entire lives. My views have evolved over time. Never say never.

Thank you for the recognition of the work of LTC nurses. They often have a more difficult job than most other nurses as they are so under appreciated in their work and in their pocketbook.

NursKris82 · Oct 23, 2008

Thank you!

countrygirl101 · Oct 23, 2008

:coollook:You just take it one day and a time!!! And believe it or not if you slow down long enough you will find many hidden treasures in the geriatric population, problem is most of us are too busy trying to "Fix" them to enjoy their knowledge and wisdom. Please don't write long term care off just yet!! :coollook:

I just finished up my first clinical experience as a student nurse in the long term care setting. I did well, learned a lot and all in all it was a good experience.
My hats go off to ALL of you who work in LTC. You are special, special people. I could never do it...I would become too depressed, I'm afraid.
That's all...just wanted to tip my hats to the RNs, LPNs and CNAs who care for the LTC clients.

Jo Dirt · Oct 23, 2008

What is it you find so disturbing? I'm depressed working LTC, but not because seeing old dying people makes me face my own mortality, it's tons and tons of stinking documentation. What a load of crap.

SunnyAndrsn · Oct 23, 2008

Hey thanks, but it's not always sad/depressing. We find joy in a lot of simple things, and you can make someone's day in such a simple way.

I love the days when the beautician is in because all the women smile, they love getting their hair done. Some of the residents who are not A&O have families who pay to get their loved one's hair done also, and our beautician puts just as much into their style as anyone else's.

A hug, a smile from a resident who says "hi kiddo, I'm glad your here tonight" lets me know that I'm doing a great job.

Making someone's last hours more comfortable is very rewarding. We've had a lot of hospice pts. die recently...

-One CNA sat for 45 min with a resident and told her to hold one because her daughter was coming. Meanwhile, her co-workers ran their butts off and the nurse helped answer lights as well so this pt. would not be alone while she died. Her daughter arrived for her last two breaths and was able to tell her "Mom I'm here, you can go".

-Listening to a man sing to his wife, who had end-stage dementia, as he held her hand the last two hours of her life. Listening to him say "I love you, go home to Jesus".

-Being grateful that you can relieve a lung cancer pt's pain with morphine, and that she died before the morphine didn't work anymore. Answering the phone when her daughters called and hearing them say "Are you the Sunny my mom loved so much?"

It's not always easy, but it's rewarding.