Mariposa2009

I worked in LTC for a year before I got a job in a hospital. So yes, it is possible. However, I recommend that you work in a skilled area of your LTCF i.e rehab, vents, etc. These areas are more skilled and will help you keep many of your skills current.

I live in upstate NY and we recently had a huge snow storm. Now, we all know what happens when there is bad weather, everyone calls out. Well my facility has huge issues with staffing as it is, and to top it off with bad weather--it's a mess. Any who, I work nights on a M/S floor and received a pt from the ER. When I was getting report from the ER nurse she told me that she was the only nurse working in the ER--WHAT!?!?! Does this happen often to anyone else? Or at any other facility? Is this legal? How is this possible? I have never worked in the ED or any ED so I don't know. Now, my hospital is not a small rural hospital, it's in a pretty busy city with approx. 400 beds. Is this normal???

I would be grateful to have an 8 pt assignment. I work nights and at my facility, I can have up to 12 pts. But, I usually avg 9/10 pts at night. And our assignments are not assigned according to acuity either.

Oh yea, I hate when they do that. How about when you go to the pharmacy to pick up your prescription and the tech blurts out the medication you're taking. This is so embarrassing and inappropriate. I suffer from acne and use a topical cream and the tech blurted out how to use it by saying," you know that you are suppose to apply the cream to all affected areas." This person didn't specify by saying your face or areas of acne, but areas in general and people where looking at me weirdly. It was so embarrassing. SMH

Hey Joe33, I started my nursing career working on the vent unit of a LTCF. I have stayed with the company for a year and recently accepted a hospital position on an ortho/neuro unit. So yes, it is possible to obtain a hospital position after starting out as a new grad in LTC. However, I would recommend working on a floor/unit within your LTCF that will better prepare you for the acute care setting i.e. sub-acute care, rehab or a vent unit. On these units, you will utilize your skills a little bit more than on a regular LTC unit. The manager that I interviewed with was very impressed with my knowledge of ventilators and skills that I have learned at my LTCF. I agree, that 1 year is a good length to gain basic nursing knowledge at your LTCF. I feel that working in LTC is a great place to start as a new graduate. You will learn time management, hone your assessment skills, build your communication skills, learn how to chart, and so much more. Good luck with your endeavors!

1. Why are you being extra annoying today? 2. No sorry I'm not your nurse today!!! 3. Why did you decide to spike a temp and vomit 15 mins before my shift was over?

I'm working Christmas day and weekend.

Ok, this is a question that I always had and still have. At my facility we do "clean" dsg changes, meaning we wear clean gloves, but use sterile materials (i.e. NS, gauze, etc.). The only dsg changes that are "sterile" are PICC/central line dsg changes. In this situation we do wear sterile gloves and maintain a sterile field. I recently had a pt who required wound packing and thought that I should be wearing sterile gloves. However, the wound nurse told me that I did not have to wear sterile gloves. She stated that as long as the materials are sterile then it would be ok. In school we were taught that all dsg changes are to be done using sterile technique. So, confused. Sorry if I sound stupid, but I'm still learning.

Graduated from an ADN program. Minimum required grade to pass was a 75% ©.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice to get what you want. And, yes unfortunately family time is included.

I once was as narrow minded as you are in regards to working in LTCFs/SNFs. I even posted a thread expressing my concern about working in a LTCF. But, let me tell you, it has been such a great learning experience. I am more then just a "pill pusher," much more. I work on a sub-acute rehab floor. We can get anything from CABGs, many post-ops, S/P pneumonias, CVAs, MIs, many fxs, you name it. If you didn't know it, you would think that my floor was a mini med-surg unit. I hang IVs, insert foleys, access g-tubes, suction vent patients, dsg changes, and much more. Not only am I utilizing many of the skills that I learned in school, I am learning time management, honing my assessment skills, and getting up close an personal w/ my pt's and their families. Not to mention, learning how to interact w/ MDs and other healthcare providers. Also, working in LTC allows me to familiarize myself with charting and paperwork. I rather be working in a LTCF, then not doing anything for 5+ months waiting for my "dream job." And, no I don't have 35+ patients, I actually have 6-10. The avg med-surg floor has about 6-8 pts so, it's not that bad. Oh yea, I work 12 hr shifts not 8. Now, I'm not telling you to go into LTC, I am just letting you know that I do much more then just "push pills." Not all LTCFs are the same. Good luck on your job search!!!!

I'm a new grad and I believe I got my job b/c I was flexible. I was up against many experienced nurses, but b/c I was willing to work weekends, holidays, nights, I got the job. I don't understand how new nurses can be so picky, it really does not make any sense to me. Granted, I would prefer to work in an acute care setting, but that wasn't happening anytime soon. So, I decided to apply to LTCFs/SNFs to at least gain some experience as an RN. And, believe it or not, I truly enjoy it and am grateful to have a job.

Hi all, I just started this thread to hopefully hear from those who are familiar with the online RN to BSN program @ Utica College. I was recently accepted into the program and will start classes in Jan., but want to hear from anyone currently enrolled or any grads from the program. It seems like a very good program, the prices are reasonable, and there is no actual clinical component just "special projects." If anyone has to throw in, please feel free to do so. Thanks in advance!!!!!!

Being a new nurse, these are things I tend to forget to do, but I'm getting better at it. I think I'm going to start wearing diapers like Lexi did on Grey's Anatomy. Since, I tend to forget to eat and drink, I try to keep little snacks and bottles of water on me at all times. My co-workers usually have to remind me to take a break, so sad I know.

Well, I have limited work experience, but opted to take an ACLS class to increase my marketability. All you really have to do is read the book carefully and know all the algorithms. It does help to know basic ECG rhythms, but I'm sure with working on a telemetry/step down unit you are fairly familiar. However, if you still don't feel ready, you can always take an EKG course which is usually recommended before taking an ACLS course. Basically ACLS courses have 2 session. The 1st session is basically an intro where you will mainly watch videos and practice a mock megacode and other basic stuff. The 2nd session is usually where you take the written exam and preform a real megacode.