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I love working in long term care. In nursing school, LTC was touted as being the least desirable job in nursing. Instructors warned students that assessment skills would be lost and future employment opportunities outside of LTC would be nil. Wh...

I have spoken to my former instructors about what my job entails. They have given me their blessings to share my experiences with current nursing students. They can't speak from experience regarding the role of a nurse in a SNF/LTC in today's healt...

Thanks for the great comments!

People don't realize many things until they are in a particular situation. I'm no longer concerned with whether I am perceived to be a "real nurse" by those who simply don't know. My residents and their family members know that I am a nurse, as doe...

Perfect! If you heed this advise, you will be a stellar nurse :)

My advice is always the same. Expect that it will take forever to accomplish your med passes in the beginning. Do not take short cuts. Trust that you will improve as you become more familiar with your job. You will learn to provide quality care w...

Some meds may form a precipitate when combined, possibly clogging the tubing. The facility where I work just completed a deficiency free survey. That's right, zero deficiencies! I invited the surveyors to observe me administering a feeding and med...

This is still annoying me a couple of days after the incident so I'm venting. The other day a man showed up at the nurses's station, identified himself as DSHS personnel and asked to interview a resident who will be discharging home soon. No proble...

DSHS=Department of Social and Health Services-They are social workers who check on residents from time to time, particularly when the resident has a pending discharge to home. They ensure the resident received appropriate treatment during his/her st...

I asked for his ID and led him to the DON prior to the interview. It's always good to reiterate the importance of checking ID, so thanks!

Monday-Awesome shirt and beautiful corsage+card of thanks Tuesday-Starbucks and donuts-also retractable ID card clip that says "Nurses Rock" Wednesday-Day off!(Coincidence) We shall see what Thurs and Fri will bring. Monday was plenty, really:)

I have found that songs with an easily recognized chorus go over well. "I've been workin' on the rail road", "Oh my Darling, Clementine" "My Bonnie lies over the ocean", "My country tis of thee", "Yankee Doodle" to name a few. I googled and went t...

Though not evidence-based, per se~ One poke= sore muscle, apply cool pack to affected area and give analgesic, if warranted. Two pokes=only if necessitated by dose. Second poke likely to elicit compounded discomfort due to patient tensing more in a...

I have worked in a SNF/LTC RN position for almost 6 months. I like my coworkers, like the residents, and have become more efficient in my job. The problem~I'm afraid for the future of geriatric nursing, and I'm afraid that if I don't make a move ou...

I'm smiling because that's almost exactly what my husband said:) This guilt feeling is more associated with the residents than my employer.

I had that very thought last night....Had a ridiculous night. Now I'm rested, fed and ready for another day.

How about transdermal patches for every drug/medication?

Our facility started using multi dose packaging and it has proven to be anything but a time saver. Approximately one half of our residents get meds from local pharmacies so we have one drawer that is dedicated for the blister packs. We have overflo...

I started my job right after obtaining my license (about 3 months ago). I had no human healthcare experience prior to nursing school, but had worked for a veterinarian for several years. Initially it seemed impossible. I read many posts here but te...

Your post echoes my sentiments exactly! I graduated in June, went through the NCLEX routine in July-obtained licensure in Oregon and two weeks later in Washington. I have been working in a SNF ever since and absolutely love it. The first week or s...

I would imagine that in your 18 years as a CNA you had a positive impact on the lives of your patients and their families. Maybe when you think about steering someone away from a career in the medical profession, you should consider the good moments...

That is exactly what I did on Wednesday and had a walk-through/interview on the spot. Now I have a job that is ideal for me :) I can't stand the online application process. In a people-oriented profession, it is far too impersonal.

Balsadragon, thanks for commenting on this post, thereby bringing it to the top. I am excited at the prospect of starting my first job as a nurse in a SNF. Throughout school, it bothered me to hear LTC referred to as the least desirable nursing pos...

No matter what state you're from, when it comes to taking the NCLEx, I'm sure most would agree that they're in a STATE of PANIC afterwards. It's an unsettling feeling, at the very least. Nothing convinced me I had been successful until my name appe...

I wish I'd paid attention to the "specialty" category sooner. I had a great (so I thought) opportunity to work as an RN in a recovery center. I was very excited because the psych rotation was my favorite clinical experience in school. I figured th...