"Don't get stuck in LTC"

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Dec 11, 2010

If thats what you love and that's what you want to do then you won't be "stuck" in LTC but practicing your dream speciality.

Generally what I think people refer to is new RN's getting their start in LTC with aspirations of something else. In this case time is critical and you need to get the relevant experience that you need before employers feel you have acclimatized to LTC and are not open to change.

Jw1724 · Dec 11, 2010

I've always worked with geri. Although I am interested in hospital nursing, I know that my heart is here. I did hospice as a LNA and I could see myself going there moreso than hospital nursing.

RachH · Dec 11, 2010

The nurse who taught my CNA class said she would never do anything but LTC. She loved it!

Jw1724 · Dec 12, 2010

I feel like some people think I'm "settling." I always get "why arent you trying to get a hospital job?" "You must want out of ALF!" It gets irritating.

RachH · Dec 12, 2010

I feel like some people think I'm "settling." I always get "why arent you trying to get a hospital job?" "You must want out of ALF!" It gets irritating.

I know how you feel! I'm in NS, and I really want to be a school nurse, but I keep getting responses like "that's too boring for you," or "you can do so much more than that." So, I look into other prospects, to see if I can find another fit, but I'm worried I'll be pushed in to doing something that I don't really enjoy because it's more "interesting," when the idea of being a school nurse makes me happy.

I say stick to what seems like your calling. I think LTC nurses who actually enjoy their jobs are amazing, and there are so many residents who could use someone like you, not just someone itching to get to a hospital.

Jw1724 · Dec 12, 2010

I know how you feel! I'm in NS, and I really want to be a school nurse, but I keep getting responses like "that's too boring for you," or "you can do so much more than that." So, I look into other prospects, to see if I can find another fit, but I'm worried I'll be pushed in to doing something that I don't really enjoy because it's more "interesting," when the idea of being a school nurse makes me happy.
I say stick to what seems like your calling. I think LTC nurses who actually enjoy their jobs are amazing, and there are so many residents who could use someone like you, not just someone itching to get to a hospital.

Same to you! I was offered a school nurse position and turned it down because I belong on the opposite end of the spectrum haha. Good luck getting what you want- I'm sure you'll get there!

JB2007, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2010

I would not worry so much about what others think you should be doing with your career. I would worry more about what direction that you want your career to go in the future. As with any speciality if a new grad nurse starts out in that speciality it is difficult to switch to a different type of nursing. I believe that it even more the case with LTC because so many hospital nurses do not look at LTC experience as being "real nursing" or that you will "lose your skills".

I would suggest that any new nurse does at least one year of med/surg before going into any speciality. This will make any change that you may want to make in the future much easier. I will tell you from my own personal experience that you do not lose your skills in LTC you just use a certain set of skills and get a little rusty on some of the others. However, the skills that you learned in nursing school do come back easily enough. A positive that I have found is that it is a lot easier going from LTC nursing to hospital nursing than it is going from hospital to LTC.

If you think that LTC is the career path that you wish to go I say go for it. However, I would suggest that you do at least some med-surg nursing PRN so that your options will be more open in the future. Even in hospice the med-surg nursing will be very handy. Good luck

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2010

I wouldn't consider LTC getting 'stuck'. It all depends on what lights you up. You love geri- what better place for you?

I plan on trying out LTC myself as I have a huge soft spot for helping to take care of our greatest generation. Hospice is also on my list of specialty interests.

Next time someone says 'don't get stuck' tell them you're not stuck, you're exactly where you want to be. Our you can just say 'it's none of your damn business'. :)

OSUcardio · Dec 12, 2010

That's great that you love LTC. It's hard to find nurses who actually love it, your not crazy. I use to do LTC for 7 years actually as a LPN mostly, then an RN for 8 months. If you like your job that's all that matters.

KarmaWiseRaven · Dec 12, 2010

They tell you not to get stuck because in some case's the hospitals will over look you because you have no acute care under your belt. As a LPN i have gone the Psych LTC RCF path not realizing that i shot myself in the foot.

A Nurse Recruiter told me that no hospital will touch me because in a LTC setting your not doing acute care and she asked when the last time you touched an IV. Something you need to ask yourself. I still have apps pending at hospitals from 4 yrs ago i can sign on right now do my pass word and there they are HR won't even look at them. or at me and i have tried and tried.

If you want to do LTC and RCF ( Residential Care) Home Health or even Psych that's great they all need caring nurses. But if you want to try for a hospital you might find it tough for you to get in. Not saying you wont get it I'm just saying from my stand point it just might be. These are my thoughts use them as you wish

DNS on the go · Dec 12, 2010

Do what you love. LTC needs dedicated nurses who love this area of nursing. Do not let others opinion of LTC-ALF change your heart or mind. Good Luck in your career.