"Working in LTC = Loss of Skills."

[dreams91]

Hello all,

I'm a RPN located in the GTA of Ontario currently looking for a job. I've been applying to local hospitals since January with no luck. I am also a RPN-BScN student, currently in level II, and it would be in my best interest to gain employment before I enter level III.

Here's the thing. I've heard conflicting information about LTC nurses from multiple nurses. Some advise me to apply seeing as how I have not had a call back from a hospital, yet others advise against it. Those who advise against it have told me "it's very difficult for a hospital to hire you if they see you working in LTC." They state that working in LTC will not only be a loss of skills I have learned, but I will also most likely be alone on the floor. For instance, I have heard many LTC facilities having one or two RPNs responsible for medication administration for 30+ residents...this was told to me by nurses already working in LTC facilities. I do not want to give up all because hospitals are not giving me feedback, however, how long am I supposed to wait in the shadows before I hear something. In my opinion, it would be best to at least apply to LTC, however, the responses I get from others are very discouraging.

Any friendly opinions/advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[xokw, BSN, RN]

The only bad experience you can have is no experience. The longer you go with zero nursing experience, the less attractive you become to potential employers. An employer would much rather see someone with LTC experience than none at all. I'll never understand the logic that says otherwise, it is simply untrue.

LTC offers many valuable lessons. Time management skills, knowledge regarding medications and labs, experience working/communicating with families and physicians, as well as a variety of hands on skills. During my brief time in LTC I became proficient in urinary and suprapubic catheterization, SC/IM injections, dressings, feeds, as well as a variety of assessments.

The fastest and easiest way to lose your skills is by not working as a nurse, not by working in LTC.

Good luck!

[Fiona59]

Totally agree with the above post. LTC is a very valuable training ground. Time management is learnt fast in that environment.

Acute care is not the pot of gold at the end of the nursing rainbow.

To me it is more attractive than LTC BUT I have friends who have enjoyable, rewarding careers there.

[bsnprg]

LTC is actually a great place for new grads w/ no or little experience. I was always worried about the horror stories that I had heard and felt like may be I shouldn't pursue that path, but surprisingly enough I have learned so much in the past six months. It definitely depends on what area in nursing you like to work, but for me it was a great place to start because now I can see the med's SE dosing, frequency..... Time management in a healthcare setting, working with difficult patients/ coworkers, ... And many more .

If you really like nursing then you'll thrive no matter where you are. If hospitals are where you will like to be then do actively apply for those jobs while working .

Good luck and hope you find your dream job.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[dayandnight]

I've been a LTC grad for three years, in BC and in WA state. My experiences of being a LTC nurse is that it is very rewarding but also very hard, especially with shortage of staff and lots and lots of overtime.

It also depends on your own experience, but people around me look at LTC with a shaded glasses and often stereotype Ltc work as a "bad" experience.It is helpful and can be, but you don't want to stay in it for long if you definitely want to go into the hospital in the future.

the hospital employers around where I live think LTC nurses are less competitive and experienced to go into the acute care area than new grads.

I currently take care of 53 people from 6:30 pm to 8 am in my current job, giving pills to sometimes 30+ people at a time, including hospice pts who require hourly dilaudid injections and brittle insulin dependent diabetics.

I certainly developed my leadership skills and how to stand up for myself, being in charge of 53 pts+ all the staff on weekends and evenings, and my time management and prioritization has greatly improved.

I certainly love my job but there are so many reasons as to why I want to get out of LTC nursing for a change. I think a lot of nurses will benefit from having the experience and knowledge, especially with geriatrics being in demand.

[Hotaru1]

I agree with what most people posted above, any experience is valuable. I haven't done placement in LTC giving meds to that many patients so I have high respect to those nurses that are able to do time management efficiently and manage an entire floor alone.

[wanderlustnurse88, RN]

There is definitely a different skill set that you learn in LTC. You may not be doing IVs, trauma skills etc but there is tons of skills. Leadership is big since you are probably going to be the only registered staff overseeing the PSWs and possible other departments when management isn't there. You also need to be quick with assessment skills and knowing when something is normal for that resident and when is it something that needs to be assessed by a MD.

[Trishrpn80]

All nurses are valuable.. LTC nurses utilize different skills and the same goes for Psych, L&D, med/surg, palliative etc. i do not see things as a loss of skill but acquiring new ones.

All areas utilize nurses with different skills and no one area is better than anywhere else. Thats the beauty of this profession we can learn lots of different skills and move around if we desire.

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

I haven't lost skills in LTC. Maybe when I did private duty home health. Not in LTC.