dtroia22

I have 13 tattoos and in scrubs, only 3 are visible. I work as a unit manager in a LTC facility where most of the staff have both tattoos and piercings. We have some of the best residents and their families that are open minded and judge us for our hard work, compassion, and the care we give rather than our appearance! Both residents and their families often are intrigued by the stories and meaning behind our tattoos! Times are changing, so roll with it! D. Troia, RN

I am so happy to finally see a positive thread on LTC! I love LTC because 1) my residents, 2) my residents, and 3) my residents! They and their families have become a sort of extended family! My kids love visiting my residents on my days off! Even though you get attached, and we all know their time is limited, it is so rewarding to know that I have helped to make their last years as bright and as happy as possible!

I am so glad someone thinks like I do! I graduated a year ago and wanted to work in the hospital, or so I thought. Got a job at a LTC center to "get some experience first" and have not, and do not intend on leaving! I love my residents and their families! They have become sort of an extended family! My kids love to go visit my residents on my days off and as much as I like days off, I miss my residents when I'm not there! Not all people are cut out for LTC. Of course there are the difficult residents (i still strongly believe its all in how you approach them, talk to them, and your attitude) and the annoying family members (who can be your greatest advocates if you keep them informed), but overall, I can't picture myself anywhere other than LTC! My mom tells me all the time this is what I was meant to do because since I was very young I have always loved the elderly. If LTC is not for you, please, for you, and most importantly, the residents, find something else! Your residents can sense your attitude, stress, and frustration, even when you think you hide it well, and this greatly affects their moods, behaviors, and mental well-being! Not all LTCs are like the nightmares and horror stories you hear about!

I wear reebok easy tones with dr schols inserts (the ones u stand on the machine and it maps your pressure areas). I love them! Got them in white in nursing school and just got them in black! So worth the $100(shoes) and $40(insoles)!

I guess I should feel lucky! The unit I manage has 57 residents-23 diabetics with accu-checks achs, 2 gtubes, and about 30 of them have dementia/Alzheimer's! But, we have the charge nurse, treatment nurse (only on days), 2 medication aides on days (1on nights), and 4-5 aides on each shift. We have a routine down and work as a team so on most days, it flows pretty well. Of course, there are always those crazy days where you don't know your butt from a hole in the wall! Sounds like many of you need new jobs! If your employers are willing to put the residents at risk by short staffing and not having the proper supplies to give proper care, they are putting your nursing license in jeopardy! Not all facilities are like that!

I started out as a new nurse at a LTC center working 2-10pm. After 5 all administration, including DON, ADON, etc was gone. I felt pretty confident in my nursing knowledge and skills to be there by myself, but I will admit, the first time I had a resident start declining pretty fast, needing to be sent out, and the first time I had a resident pass away, I was wishing someone was there to help me! For some reason, most of our residents seem to pass away on the 2-10pm or the 10pm-6am shift. And don't forget in LTC there are a lot of residents with Alzheimer's/dementia who tend to sundown late in the evenings! I think you should start on days until you can get a routine down and learn the ropes!

I have been in your shoes not long ago. I work in LTC as well and it is my fIrst job as an RN. I have been there for about a year now. I am 27 but look about 16. I have dealt with aides just like that many times and seen many come and go. Most important thing is, you are your resident's biggest advocate! As long as you are looking out for their best interest, following the state regulations, and being responsible and professional, you have nothing to worry about! Your supervisors will see that you are only doing what is best for the resident and will respect you more for it. I speak from experience, after only 7 months, I was promoted to unit manager. This meant I was now the supervisor over many nurses who had decades more experience than I did. My DON and administrator told me they chose me for the job because i advocate for my residents, wasn't afraid to speak up and take action when I thought the care they were receiving was not up to standards, and I made sure to follow through until I was satisfied with the results. It is also very important to keep an open line of communication with your supervisors so they know what is going on and why you are doing what you're doing. If state were to walk in and there was no order for O2, you as the nurse would be the one responsible. The aides work under your license! So, you did the right thing!