Positive experiences in LTC?

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Hi everyone

I am a recent grad, and I've accepted a part time position in LTC. We had a placement in LTC in school, so I do have some idea of what it is like. I am looking forward to it. The nurses seem quite friendly, and they have been very welcoming. I am interested to hear some feedback from those of you who enjoy geriatrics/LTC please. While it is challenging, I feel that LTC is not viewed as favourably sometimes. I think LTC can be very rewarding. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CCU, Alzheimers, Med-Surg.

I'm not a nurse, but I love LTC. Very hard, but it has it's perks. You get to know the residents very well.

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Specializes in Long term care.

I am also not a nurse, but with being a NAR at a LTC facility I get a wide perspective from the admins, nurses, dietary, and fellow NARs. I really love my job. I think that the ability to get to know and care for your residents longer than 8 hours is a huge benefit. It is definitely tough and doesn't pay the greatest but it pays enough and it is very satisfying to go into your job and see your residents. They also are glad to see you and to me it feels kind of like a second home. I find this job a little less like a job and more like--I don't know the word for it. If someone knows the word for it let me know.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

My pay is actually great, so that isn't even an issue. I notice that many people seem to have the impression that LTC is not as good as other areas, which I don't believe to be true. Also, nurses are caring for older adults no matter what the area is (except peds obviously). I am happy to get the experience, and the job is what you make of it. Thanks for your replies :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Moving this to the Geriatric Nurses/LTC forum. :)

I'm glad to see some positive comments about long-term and geriatric care. I've spent the lion's share of my career working with the elderly, and no matter where else I've worked, I've always come back to geriatrics. I love them---enjoy hearing their stories and their funny sayings, and learning from them. Maybe it's because I'm not too far away from joining their ranks, maybe it's just because I miss having parents, but I do love working with older people.:D

As for why we geriatric nurses are looked down on in some circles, I honestly don't know the answer to that, but I do know that it's 100% pure BS. I've used ALL of my nursing skills, plus countless others that nobody writes about in books, while working in nursing homes that are poorly staffed and stocked even worse. No, LTC doesn't have the drama or the 'cachet' of the more glamorous nursing jobs in trauma centers or big-city ICUs, but it's no less interesting, and it certainly requires a lot of creativity. :lol2:

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Specializes in LTC, OB, psych.

LTC is a special place, and does not deserve the dissing other areas of nursing seem to give it. While I did not like the routine charting, which, in LTC is mind numbing in its repetitiveness, I loved the chance to really get to know residents, to use my nurturing side quite often, and to help families of the demented let go and unwind after the difficult experience of giving a loved one over to a NH. Even the routine stuff was gratifying if I could give some insight to a rounding physician or help solve a problem. And there was even drama, with behaviors and emergencies galore. I hate to say it, but as an old EMS warhorse, sometimes a split open scalp or a code would remind me that I still could bring the good care, and give a good old adrenaline jolt as well.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

The reality is, we all get old. I would hate for someone not to want to care for me just because... I too will require a nurse someday. Older adults can be very sweet and funny. Even the miserable ones tend to soften up after a while with care and a calm approach. And I do agree that nurses utilize many essential skills.

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Specializes in LTC.

I really enjoy getting to know my residents! I've worked there for 6 yrs. I was a CNA there and then more recently I've been a nurse there for a few months. Some of the residents I've worked there have been there the whole time I've worked there. Like someone else said I view the place as a second home almost. I've invested so much time in that place.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I'm a (somewhat) seasoned nurse who has a strong background in both Med/Surge and Psych. I honestly never thought that I would find an area of nursing that I truly truly love, until I came to LTC last month. I have truly enjoyed my job so far. I enjoy so much working with the elderly, and getting to know them, and seeing their faces every day. Though I treat them all well and equal, I do have my favorites, and I know how hard it will be to lose them. :crying2:

Anyway, I work in a wonderful place, and I have found that it is definately possible to have a positive experience in LTC!!! :)

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
hi everyone

i am a recent grad, and i've accepted a part time position in ltc. we had a placement in ltc in school, so i do have some idea of what it is like. i am looking forward to it. the nurses seem quite friendly, and they have been very welcoming. i am interested to hear some feedback from those of you who enjoy geriatrics/ltc please. while it is challenging, i feel that ltc is not viewed as favourably sometimes. i think ltc can be very rewarding. what are your thoughts? thanks.

i don't work ltc and i never have. however, i have a mother-in-law in a nursing home and a mother in assisted living. i think people who work in ltc caring for memory patients must have the patience of a saint! i have nothing but great things to say about the nurses and techs caring for mother and mamita. mamita is uncooperative, nasty, combative and loves to make scenes. her caregivers treat her pleasantly and with respect anyway. mother has alzheimer's and seems to be stuck somewhere in the 1960s. every day, she packs up everything in her room because she's "going home today", and every day she unpacks it all and puts it away. sometimes more than once. yet the people who care for her never fail to pleasant, calm and supportive. (i'd probably lose it halfway through the first day!)

i cannot think of enough nice things to say about the people who care for mother and mamita . . . they're wonderful!

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Specializes in LTC.

I started my first job as an LPN a month ago in LTC. I was scared mostly because of some of the stories I've heard. So far, I've had a good experience though. The nurses have been welcoming and help me out if I need advice or I have more than one resident in need of a nurse at a time.

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I love working with the elderly. I love the fact that they have 80-90 years of life experience and such amazing history and stories about life and the world. It makes me really sad that their voices are becoming silent and younger generations are no longer interested; what a loss of knowledge.

I'm going to keep listening though. One of those days that will be me and hopefully someone will value what I have to offer and what I have learned from those who came before me.

So definitely. Despite all the problems of working in LTC, it is worth every minute.

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