Taken seriously?

[toniasday7, ADN, BSN, RN]

I'm almost done with my bacholors from Chamberlain and continuing on with for the NP I am working at a nursing home..i know... I took it bc it's way less stressful and day shift to facilitate with school fulltime as you know how stressful that can be. Anyways my question is since I am working LTC do you think that it will affect me in a negative way when I start the clinical? I mean will they not take me seriously during my hunt for preceptors when I get to that part you think? I am soo afraid i wont be able to find anyone that will precept me!!!I know people look at LTC as a joke... Which is scaring me to death. I hope I'm making sense lol thanks for any feed back or recommendations you may think would help me.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I graduated with my BSN from Chamberlain and am just starting the FNP program. I spoke to several different sites and all 4 agreed to take me on as a student when I'm ready for clinicals. Granted, I'm not in LTC, I work in the ICU. However, I really believe it's all up to how well you market yourself and put on a professional demeanor.

[kaseyrachele]

Yes, some people view LTC as a joke, but probably far less people than you believe. It is important that we have people who work in LTC and I believe it takes a special type of person. Someone with a lot of patience, and who is very personable since you work with some patients for extended periods of time. It sounds like you may have some doubts about working in LTC. Do not view it as "less than" because it isn't. Have confidence in your job. What have you learned there? How has working there helped you develop your skills (technical/communication/patient care etc.)?

Just like what was said above, it is all about how you market yourself. Every setting gives you a different perspective.

[nneadders]

I wouldn't take your experience lightly. While I have never worked in a LTC facility, I can imagine the types of patients you see. What specialty are you focusing on for your NP? If it is family practice, then I would imagine you are experienced with a vast array of long term health conditions and their subsequent consequences on the human body. It's all about how you sell yourself, find the positive things in your job and how they will benefit you as a nurse practitioner.