Pretty bummed - going to apply for a couple of PRN jobs at LTC facilities while I

[Irock]

look for FT work in a hospital. I have nothing against LTC facilities - my mom has been an RN who specialized in gerontology for about 35 years. Even though I dreaded my LTC clinical rotation, I really enjoyed it. However, it's just about as far from what I want to do (critical care/trauma in a big hospital) as I can get . Please tell me I won't get "stuck" doing this? I am NOT giving up on getting a job in a hospital, but I'm just disappointed. LTC is not what I had planned on starting out with (if I even get hired).

[student_nurse06]

You will get hired in a hospital, I started put in an LTC and then moved to LTAC recently.Some of my coworkers in LTC was hired to cardiac, tele, med surg floors after a year or so of LTC. I am sure you will learn a lot. Good luck

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In this sluggish economy, beggars cannot be choosers. In my opinion, working at a LTC facility is better than being unemployed and stagnating.

In addition, there's nothing shameful about working in LTC. Regardless of what people might say, it is not a tragic event to start one's career in a nursing home.

Overall, society bestows negativity upon aging and the frail elderly. Plenty of value is placed on the lives of infants, children, and younger adults. However, older people tend to be devalued in American society. For example, many people become excited at the thought of a nurse who works in postpartum, pediatrics, trauma, the emergency department, reproductive medicine, or other areas where younger patients end up. However, the thoughts become less enthusiastic when the nurse is employed in an area where many elderly patients are seen, such as rehab, long term care, or oncology.

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

I started in a hospital after working LTC(subacute rehab) and psych for a couple years - i had a baby and didn't want 12 hr shifts was why i opted for ltc. I did work as a critical care tech for 3 years while in nsg school so i picked up alot doing that. Anyway i had derogatory comments made to me by the nurse mgr - i learned alot from those other jobs but it seemed to almost work against me as far as mgmt was concerned. I am now back to working in LTC b/c had another baby and i can get a set schedule. Whether or not you can get a hosp job in the next couple years depends on where you live - some areas are saturated w/nurses.

[himilayaneyes]

A job a is a job. If you get hired at a LTC, just remember your ultimate goal is to get to acute care. If you work in a snf, try working on a sub-acute floor. A nurse recruiter rather see that you worked at a snf for a year rather than being unemployed for a year b/c you wanted a hospital job so bad and refused to go into LTC.

[PACNWNURSING]

I know believe me it is painful to think just 3 years ago new graduates had it made with the ability to choose the area they want to work in. Now its all about getting a job period regardless of the area.

[A_Flood87]

I feel your pain. I spent months applying for jobs and then decided to apply at LTC. I finally got hired and I won't lie, I really didn't enjoy it. The LPN's there are the ones orienting you and they're snooty because they've been doing this longer than you and think they are smarter than you (and at LTC, they are, especially if you are a new grad). It's paper charting and it took me forever to do my med pass. I worked there 2 weeks and then was offered a job on a progressive care unit in a hospital. I am so thankful to be back in my comfort zone (I worked as an LPN in the hospital). You will make it to the hospital! Working LTC shows you are committed to working despite doing a job that you don't plan to stay at long term.

[Glass]

We all have hopes and dreams and that no one should poop on those hopes and dreams. My dream is to become a geriatric nurse. That means LTC. Do I want to work in a hospital? Yes. But I also want experience working in LTC as well. I want to help the lonely and helpless. Who is more lonely than an elderly person with no family who lives in LTC? Who needs a nurse more than him/her? There's nothing wrong with working for the elderly. They deserve love and care just as much as the little baby and the 30 year old accident victim.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I think the huge negatives about LTC only have to do with the working conditions. After all much of adult medicine in hospital has to do with the geriatric pop. No disrespect at all is intended.

[OttawaRPN]

I think the huge negatives about LTC only have to do with the working conditions. After all much of adult medicine in hospital has to do with the geriatric pop. No disrespect at all is intended.

And if I can elaborate... working conditions perpetuated by incompetent, money-hungry management. At least from my experience. Heck if it wasn't for that, I may have actually had a halfway enjoyable LTC stint.