RN in LTC

[the nurse who lived]

I need some advice. I have been offered a position at a nursing home and although it is not my ideal job, it is a job and I will hopefully gain some experience through it. The down side is that I will be functioning as an LPN instead of an RN. I have been applying for jobs for quite some time and have not been hearing back from any hospitals which is ideally where I would love to work. I'm confused as to if I should take this job or if I should wait till I hear from a hospital. I do not want to make myself look bad to a future employer, such as a hospital, by taking a job then possibly leaving after a short time of being there.

I am considering doing the LTC per diem that way I can work around a more desirable job. I do not know what the right thing to do is... Please help

[LizMorris]

How would you be functioning as and LPN there? Do you have both licenses and they are hiring you based on the LPN?

A lot of hospitals want someone with direct care experience so a lot of RNs end up working LTC or transitional care for 6 months to a year and then moving on.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Take the job that has been offered to you. The HR staff at the shiny acute care hospital might not call you for another 12+ months for all you know.

Beggars cannot be choosers. I worked in LTC for six years and it served as the foundation to my nursing career. Good luck to you.

[NOADLS]

Do you have to do CNA duties?

If not, this is a great opportunity for you. You are doing the job of the LPN, but being paid at your RN wage (you are, right?)

As long as you aren't wiping bums and changing diapers, this is something you shouldn't pass up.

How would you be functioning as and LPN there? Do you have both licenses and they are hiring you based on the LPN?

The RN scope of practice encompasses everything within the LPN scope of practice. The OP will not require both licenses. The RN license is enough. The OP is simply doing the job of a LPN at this facility.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Do you have to do CNA duties?

If not, this is a great opportunity for you. You are doing the job of the LPN, but being paid at your RN wage (you are, right?)

As long as you aren't wiping bums and changing diapers, this is something you shouldn't pass up.

The RN scope of practice encompasses everything within the LPN scope of practice. The OP will not require both licenses. The RN license is enough. The OP is simply doing the job of a LPN at this facility.

Your points are salient. During my years in LTC, I always received ample time for a lunch break as well as downtime on most shifts. This reduced my stress level.

In addition, I usually didn't need to sling bedpans, give showers or toilet residents because the nurse-to-CNA ratio tends to be high in LTC facilities. If you work in the exalted acute care hospital, you will definitely be toileting and slinging bedpans.

[Dranger]

Do you have to do CNA duties?

If not, this is a great opportunity for you. You are doing the job of the LPN, but being paid at your RN wage (you are, right?)

As long as you aren't wiping bums and changing diapers, this is something you shouldn't pass up.

The RN scope of practice encompasses everything within the LPN scope of practice. The OP will not require both licenses. The RN license is enough. The OP is simply doing the job of a LPN at this facility.

The wiping butts experience should be good for her especially if she ever takes a crack at critical care in the hospital.

That's ALL we do.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

You won't be functioning as a LPN. You'll be functioning as an RN since that's what you, in fact, are.

Now, you might be being hired for a job that *could* be filled by a LPN. That's par for the course in LTC. All they're really looking for is a licensed nurse to work a hall for a designated shift. That's why 99.9% of staff nurse job openings in LTC are listed as LPN/RN. Either will work in most cases. They need someone to pass meds and do treatments and call the physician an take orders and to chart everything. All of which is within every state's LPN scope.

But it's all valid experience and it's all "real" nursing. An RN with a year of LTC experience looks a heck of a lot better than an RN with zero experience.

And if, after a couple months, the hospital does extend an offer, well great. Give the nursing home notice and move on. At least you'll have a few paychecks in the bank. You aren't beholden to the nursing home just because they hired you.

[SmilingBluEyes]

The wiping butts experience should be good for her especially if she ever takes a crack at critical care in the hospital.

That's ALL we do.

NO PUN intended right?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

An RN with a year of LTC experience looks a heck of a lot better than an RN with zero experience.

Bingo! Here's the equation:

Position as a nurse in LTC = Nursing pay + Nursing experience

Waiting for the hospital job = Zero pay + Zero experience

[Karou]

I agree with other posters than an RN with LTC experience looks a lot better than an RN with no experience. If you have a large gap in your resume after graduating then potential employers will want you to explain that gap. The longer the gap becomes, the more difficult it is to get hired anywhere.

[Dranger]

NO PUN intended right?

Haha I thought the same thing after I posted!

[the nurse who lived]

Thank you everyone for the responses you have provided! I have officially accepted the job offer and will be starting orientation November 16th!