"Don't get stuck in LTC"

Ruthiegal · Dec 12, 2010

Hi there,
New grad RN here. I work in assisted living on the overnight shift. And I LOVE it. Everyone keeps saying "dont get stuck in LTC as a RN!!!!" I don't get it. Yes, I'm not using a lot of clinical skills, but I am still a RN and still loving my job. I absolutely love geri and belong with geri patients. Does anyone think I'm nuts for wanting my career to be in LTC (maybe hospice later on)? Need some encouraging words instead of feeling like I'm "not really being a nurse." :heartbeat

I don't think you are nuts at all, the geri population is my favorite too! Do what you love, who cares what anyone else thinks.... :yeah:

morphed · Dec 12, 2010

You have two options:

1. Leave LTC and get a job in the hospital and be "real nurse" by others' standards, and be potentially unhappy.

2. Stay in LTC, be a nurse, and be happy with your job.

If you want to try out nursing in the hospital do it, but if you don't want to try it, then I don't see any reason to go into it.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2010

I am also a new grad RN going to LTC, and looking forward to it. It is shameful how some nurses perceive LTC, because it is real nursing, and we are all getting old. Should we just throw older people away because they are not worth caring for? Hardly! And I also think its BS that you "lose" your skills. No matter where you work as a nurse, there is always learning. I am not worried about applying for jobs outside of LTC later on. It is a fact that nurses move around. I actually ended up getting other hospital offers after this one, but I am glad to work in LTC. I like older people, and they deserve to have people care about them. It is good to know that other nurses feel the same way.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 13, 2010

Each type of nursing requires its own skill set. Enough with the attitude that only this or that kind of nurse is a "real nurse" and the rest are poseurs.

CareteamRN70 · Dec 13, 2010

I'm new to LTC nursing, but I chose it as my area of practice.

I also heard that I would lose my skills working in LTC..I was told I would be a glorified med passer and babysitter (second part I found very insulting).

Well here I am, a few weeks into my first nursing job, in LTC, and I honestly think i have learned more in these two weeks then I did in all 2 yrs I was in school. Theory and practice are two distinctly different animals I found. I have been honing my assesment skills, my practical skills with g-tubes, trachs, dressings, wound care, and tons more. I have had reason to call the on call MD a few times and the first time one asked me what interventions I suggested or what was my idea of what was wrong I was floored...had to criticly think on my feet (yes..I'm that new). It's like that old saying they used to use in military recruiting "We do more by 6am then most people do all day".

Now that I am getting to know my patients I find myself going home and cracking my old medsurg and pathology books to study up on their distinctive needs, scanning common meds I pass with my PDR, and I was told if I ever float to another facility within the company I may learn vent care for patients that require it. I am struggling, it is alot to cover, and my orientation was two weeks ago for 5 days...but I am waiting for one of my friends from NS to say "Well, your just a LTC nurse"...because I'm gonna answer "Damn straight I am"

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2010

I'm new to LTC nursing, but I chose it as my area of practice.
I also heard that I would lose my skills working in LTC..I was told I would be a glorified med passer and babysitter (second part I found very insulting).
Well here I am, a few weeks into my first nursing job, in LTC, and I honestly think i have learned more in these two weeks then I did in all 2 yrs I was in school. Theory and practice are two distinctly different animals I found. I have been honing my assesment skills, my practical skills with g-tubes, trachs, dressings, wound care, and tons more. I have had reason to call the on call MD a few times and the first time one asked me what interventions I suggested or what was my idea of what was wrong I was floored...had to criticly think on my feet (yes..I'm that new). It's like that old saying they used to use in military recruiting "We do more by 6am then most people do all day".
Now that I am getting to know my patients I find myself going home and cracking my old medsurg and pathology books to study up on their distinctive needs, scanning common meds I pass with my PDR, and I was told if I ever float to another facility within the company I may learn vent care for patients that require it. I am struggling, it is alot to cover, and my orientation was two weeks ago for 5 days...but I am waiting for one of my friends from NS to say "Well, your just a LTC nurse"...because I'm gonna answer "Damn straight I am"

I had a MD say that to me to once. I called him to notify of a stage 2 we found on someones bottom. He asked ok so what are we going to do about it.. he wasn't being obnoxious... hes a very nice doctor. I was stumbled so I said hold on let me review her treatment record quick and see if theres anything else that has recently worked. So I went to the TAR and noticed skin repair cream. So I suggested that and a clean dry dressing. He said.. just the cream is fine.

Before you call MDs have a suggestion lined up as part of your "ducks in a row"

Jw1724 · Dec 13, 2010

I just want to thank everyone who replied. It really is refreshing to hear from RNs with similar mindsets as me.

I do feel as though nursing homes have such a bad stigma attached to them and it is too bad. Our elderly population deserves more than this.

I'm in assisted living at the moment, but our residents have such a strong bond (former Masonic Home) and it really is such a great work environment and an amazing place for these folks. Rarely do I hear from an unhappy resident. They love it there and I think the nursing staff has a big impact on that.

I'm a new grad, but I've made suggestions to DON and have already had an impact on the way things are working after only a month there. Overall, I'm very happy here. I do not get skilled nursing here and lack any trachs, vents, gtubes, etc. I would like to experience acute care or SNF at some point and hope to do that per diem soon. But no matter where I end up, it will be in geriatrics. I love it too much and thats how I always was as an aide also.

It really does warm the heart to start my morning with some of these folks. (I get out at 6am). Even moreso to have a latenight conversation and laughing session with a sleepless resident. It's the best medicine I've ever gotten, that's for sure.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Dec 14, 2010

Hi there,
New grad RN here. I work in assisted living on the overnight shift. And I LOVE it. Everyone keeps saying "dont get stuck in LTC as a RN!!!!" I don't get it. Yes, I'm not using a lot of clinical skills, but I am still a RN and still loving my job. I absolutely love geri and belong with geri patients. Does anyone think I'm nuts for wanting my career to be in LTC (maybe hospice later on)? Need some encouraging words instead of feeling like I'm "not really being a nurse." :heartbeat

Honestly, as soon as I saw the title of this thread, the only thing I could think was "Bite me." Why people say such asinine things is beyond me. Your perspective is awesome, and LTC residents deserve good nurses who feel that way. You might be nuts, but that's a good thing!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2010

Also, what many people seem to forget is that the entire population is aging. So whether we like it or not, whether you work in LTC, psych, medicine, or acute care, geriatrics comprise the bulk of the pt population. I would think that working in LTC will serve us well, since older adults are everywhere. Perceptions need to change. In all honesty, it's scary how older people are devalued in our society. I shudder to think about getting old myself, considering the prevailing attitudes. Hopefully, some will make a difference and change this. Otherwise, well...karma comes back to haunt you sometimes.