Returing to LTC float pool after a brief hiatus

[rnlately]

Good evening,

After many months of consideration, I decided to return to LTC in the prn/float pool. I'm having mixed emotions; I'm excited to return to doing what I love which is taking care of the elderly but at the same time I'm somewhat nervous about the unknown. Also I'm concerned about being able to regain my time management skills and not skimping on the details while providing the best possible care. I'm hoping that after my first night that I will feel right at home. I feel that LTC is truly my niche and I'm wondering if anyone here has been in my situation and shared my feelings.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I can so relate to your situation! I've been in nursing management for much of my career and all of the past three years, and I just bagged it all for an evening shift charge nurse position in the LTC where I started 15 years ago as a nurse assistant trainee.

Geriatrics has always been my "thing", but I recently came to the realization that all I really ever wanted to do was take care of folks---not to work 50-60-hour weeks, be on call 24/7/365, worry about the scheduling, spend my days in endless meetings, and referee countless disputes between staff, staff/residents, staff/families, staff/administration, administration/residents etc.

So I'm going back to where I'm known and well thought of, and do what I'm best at. Sure, I'm a little nervous---my hands-on skills are rusty, and I hope my 50-year-old body will hold up under the physical stresses of the job. But I'm looking forward to it more than I'm nervous about it, and I'm going in with the attitude that I will do just fine. You will too.

[rnlately]

thanks. I am usually a tough broad but just feeling a wee bit antsy.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Yup, me too. But the good news is, the older we get, the more we learn to accept being uncomfortable for a little while in order to benefit in the end. I don't think either of us will regret moving back to LTC.