Once you work in acute care you can't go back to LTC?

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

Sorry, but what does trepidatious mean?

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

Sorry, but what does trepidatious mean?

Apprehensive, nervous, filled with trepidation.

OED.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

When I was a new grad, the LTCs were all over me. I

That's because when you were a new grad, they could have you for cheap.

Now you have 3 years of experience under your belt and you would cost them more.

Cola89 · Nov 12, 2015

That's because when you were a new grad, they could have you for cheap.
Now you have 3 years of experience under your belt and you would cost them more.

You probably could be right. That's a sad thought though. I didn't think I would cost them THAT much more... even if I cost a little more than a new grad, my opinion is that I'm worth it

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

I have been a nurse for a couple years. I started out in LTC. When I was a new grad, I and a lot of my class operated under the advice to start in LTC, work there for a year or so, and then move on to acute care. Because acute care would be better all the way around. After working in LTC for around 2 years and acute care (med-surg) for about 8 months, one of they only things I have seen to be better is the pay rate.... and not by very much (after taxes, lol).
Anyways, after some harsh experiences in med-surg, I am feeling like I want to jump ship and go back to LTC. I have interviewed at a few places and they kind of act trepidatious. I'm getting interviews, but no calls back and this makes me wonder if I won't be welcomed back into the world of LTC!
When I was a new grad, the LTCs were all over me. I[/Quote]
Trepidatious, love it.
Thinking the trepidation comes from the concern that you have experience in acute care.. and can return to that area at any time.
In the interview, explain that you prefer LTC and why. Good luck, keep us posted.

Karou · Nov 12, 2015

I agree with Been There Done That. They are probably afraid that that you will want to go back to med surg again. You can explain why you miss LTC and prefer it over the hospital. Say that med surg didn't work out for you. Good luck!!

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

I'm thinking it might have something to do with decision making. When I worked in LTC there were tight rules and regs.

None of us thought outside the box. At least I didn't.

In the hospital nurses are allowed, even encouraged to use critical thinking in patient care.

The hardest thing for me to learn when I moved from LTC to M/S, was how to think outside the box.

If I ever moved back to LTC, I think keeping myself within the rules would be hard to relearn.

But it's probably just about the money

LessValuableNinja · Nov 12, 2015

Just be honest. "I gained some skills that I believe will be helpful here, but I explored acute care, and after my experience, I know where I belong. I have experience in long term care and med surg, and I believe I can make a valuable contribution here."

Cola89 · Nov 12, 2015

Trepidatious, love it.
Thinking the trepidation comes from the concern that you have experience in acute care.. and can return to that area at any time.
In the interview, explain that you prefer LTC and why. Good luck, keep us posted.

Will do that going forward. I went for an interview at one of these LTCs 2 weeks ago. The DON said she'd call me last Friday. When she didn't, I decided to check in with her about the position on Monday. Then she said she'd had a busy week last week and would call me tomorrow (Tues) after speaking to the Administrator about bringing me back.

This is a place I worked at for 6 months and gave proper notice before I left. There were no problems with my work attendance/performance. Yes, I have a little bit of job-hopping ways here and there, but they're getting better. I am still surprised she hasn't called me back yet (now a week after she originally said she'd call) because this facility ALWAYS has an ad up "hiring LPNs and RNs" ... "We accept new grads"

... maybe what another poster said is true that they in some strange way prefer new grads?! I thought they were just saying that because it's a big place to staff and they were in serious need of help.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 12, 2015

Will do that going forward. I went for an interview at one of these LTCs 2 weeks ago. The DON said she'd call me last Friday. When she didn't, I decided to check in with her about the position on Monday. Then she said she'd had a busy week last week and would call me tomorrow (Tues) after speaking to the Administrator about bringing me back.
This is a place I worked at for 6 months and gave proper notice before I left. There were no problems with my work attendance/performance. Yes, I have a little bit of job-hopping ways here and there, but they're getting better. I am still surprised she hasn't called me back yet (now a week after she originally said she'd call) because this facility ALWAYS has an ad up "hiring LPNs and RNs" ... "We accept new grads"
... maybe what another poster said is true that they in some strange way prefer new grads?! I thought they were just saying that because it's a big place to staff and they were in serious need of help.

You may be overthinking this. DON expressed how busy they are, HR is no doubt also as busy.

Realize they are processing many resumes/ interviews.

Patience is what you need right now. Good luck!

Scottishtape · Nov 12, 2015

It's odd, I actually had a very similar situation. I worked LTC for the first year out of nursing school. I got away from it and did nursing in other areas. Once I decided I wanted to go back to LTC, nobody would call me back.

Finally, I cornered one DON and asked why. She said, "We like to hire nurses with recent (within one-two years) LTC experience because they perform better than nurses who don't have the specific experience.

It was very frustrating.