Should I stick with LTC?

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I'am a new grad, and recently got my RN license. I have worked in LTC for the past 11 years as a CNA, at the same facility. I was thinking of going to the hospital for the experience, but I don't enjoy it at all. On the other hand I have been working at the nursing home part time and I actually like it. I know all of the residents, they have watched me grow from a 18 year old girl to a 29 year old woman. Everyone tells me I will loose my nursing skills:cry: if I stay there, but I like LTC!!!!:heartbeat

Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

Eveyone told methe same "oh you should do hospital work or you will lose your skills". Let me tell you I use plenty of nursing skills in LTC. Foley catheters, G-tubes, IV's, trach care, suctioning, CPR, critical thinking, PICC lines, ports, wound care, etc. etc. Working in LTC there is always something you could learn. I still find everyday there is a lab or a diagnosis or pill I am not familiar with so I look it up and learn.

I think a lot of times LTC facilities are overlooked in not only nursing schools, but in general nursing community. Which is sad.

Donna,

I just PM'd you, but wanted to add you are correct in saying how NH and LTC are overlooked in NS. They sure were in mine.

But to all reading this thread, I'm a fairly new grad (off boards

How often in a LTC facility are these necessary and is there someone else to call for IV starts?

What does an orientation to LTC entail?

Thanks and hope the OP is happy with her own decision. I dont' want to make this thread about me. Just wanted to say how astute Donna's point is.

I'm learning so much from you all!!!

Thanks,

Chloe

RN-BSN, BA

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Chloe, in two LTC's with a total of 180 beds I have encountered one trach patient. She was suctioned q shift and I was shown how to do this a few times and other nurses would stay with me while I did a return demo.

LTC is not, thank goodness, a hospital.

Orientation is, frankly, more to the paperwork and med cart than nursing skills, but I never found anyone who wouldn't help. Although, of course, you had the bombastic impressed-with-themselves who couldn't believe that you didn't know x when you'd been out of nursing school for 15 minutes.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

Sue,

you certainly do make it sound do-able! Thanks for the input. I'm actually starting to look forward to my Nursing Home interview this week!!

:specs:

Chloe

RN-BSN, BA

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