Orientation from HELL

Frankly, if you love your work at the nursing home, then go for it. Everyone gripes as if LTC is a fate worse than hell, but if you are happy there, then do your growing as a professional there. Future growth in healthcare will be in primary care, not acute care, so if you grow your career in LTC you likely won't be lacking for a job in the future considering how everyone else avoids it like the plague. I know plenty of nurses who have never worked in acute care and they are doing just fine for themselves.

I had to tell my nurse manager that one of her favorites was a horrible preceptor. I was terrified! She was shocked, and luckily for me, my preceptor for that day (different nurse, also a favorite) was present and reinforced that the individual I was referring to had mixed reviews from other orientees. I was fortunate in that my concerns were not personality related, but priority related. She was never focused on our patients or my care of our patients, and was never available when I had questions or a crisis. After I spoke with my manager, I had any additional shifts I was scheduled with that nurse switched to pair me with a preceptor I said I learned more from. I was pleasantly shocked by how well it went.

I hope everything works out for you, and if you really love LTC, I hope that you pursue it!

It drives me bonkers when new grads won't do LTC because of "losing my skills." You have no skills to lose, my dear. Any paid RN experience is better than no experience, and it doesn't sound like you're in much of a skilled position as it is. Your preceptor sounds like a floor princess and the environment does sound toxic. You can always try moving to another floor - but if you're being treated like a professional at the LTC, you should seriously consider that.

It drives me bonkers when new grads won't do LTC because of "losing my skills." You have no skills to lose my dear. Any paid RN experience is better than no experience, and it doesn't sound like you're in much of a skilled position as it is. Your preceptor sounds like a floor princess and the environment does sound toxic. You can always try moving to another floor - but if you're being treated like a professional at the LTC, you should seriously consider that.[/quote']

^This. LTC is as much as a specialty as Med-Surg, Ortho, Onco, ER, ICU, etc, etc, etc...nursing is nursing is nursing. Sound like the LTC job is a great fit; something you are fitting into, and a great place for focused assessments, critical thinking, and learning how to manage your patient care through thoughtful decision making.

Follow your heart. I have three kids myself, not all under four. That's enough stress, without adding being unhappy at work - and you have choices. That's more than most RN's right now. Hope you find what works for you.