MrNurseJohn

LTC for sure. You will learn how to handle multiple patients at one time, charting, dealing with doctors and other healthcare professionals and emergency situations as well. Home Health is less clinical usually and if you ever come across an emergency, your lack of clinical experience may make the situation worse. A lot of people in their homes should really be in facilities.... trust me when I say that. In a facility setting, you will get more comfortable with your judgement as you will have other nurses to support you. Congratulations on becoming a nurse!

I think that is fine. I'm a LPN and went back for my RN and realized that clinical nursing wasn't for me. I was only 3 classes away from getting my RN. People finally left me alone bc I now have Administrator license and a ton of marketing experience so going bc for RN now wouldn't help me as I am only doing non clinical roles and hire RNs and LPNs. I keep my license current as I am grateful for what I've learned and do think they give me an edge as an administrator but I have no interest in clinical nursing these days and having just an RN or LPN license will not get me where I am now. Once you work as an LPN for a bit, see if you like it. If you do, I would get my RN bc you'll make WAY more money in a clinical setting and have far more opportunities including management. Good Luck.

If you like working with geriatrics, have you considered Assisted Living? I did that as a nursing director for years and then got promoted to executive director. AL often looks the nurse to be a manager. Good luck!

I have both nursing and Esthetician license. I don't use my Esthetician at all bc I work as an executive director for home care but I would definitely get those license bc there are machines that you may end up using as well. If you are in a spa, I highly doubt you'll only be doing Botox and besides, having more credentials never hurts. I have 3 licenses. Nursing, Esthetician and Long Term Care Administrator license. It will make you more marketable and besides, Esthetician was a breeze after being a nurse. I didn't even study for tests while I was in school bc you will already be far more advanced in the science and anatomy and physiology! Hope it all works out for you! Best of luck!

I feel your pain as I did your job for 8 years and then got promoted to executive director. Even as ED, I am a working manager. Sounds like your managers are in the wrong field. In ALFs, everyone has to wear many hats. If I were you, I'd get my Administrator license and be an ED if you like working in ALFs. The people you work with make the job and change comes from the top so if your ED isn't a worker, they probably won't ever realize what you go through. I'm glad I'm a nurse and have done that job. I always have helped my nurse with scheduling, taking call, nursing duties, etc...

I ended up working as a nursing director in assisted living facility and got promoted to executive director. I just passed my Long Term Care Administrator Board this month as well. I am into administration now and happy.

You are doing fine. You're only 4 years in and have plenty of time to explore. I've been a nurse since 2000 and for my first 10 years, I've done staffing agency float in different departments in the hospitals, Occupational Health, Team Supervisor for American Red Cross and Long Term Care. It wasn't until the last 8 years that I got into Assisted Living and have worked as a Nursing Director and then promoted to Executive Director. I even went back to school and became a Licensed Esthetician (which I NEVER used) and just this month got my Long Term Care Administrator License. I would not have known that I enjoyed management unless I explored different avenues. Being a well rounded nurse/jack of all trades is valuable as well!