What is your opinion?

go mizzou · Jul 18, 2008

i think you must decide if you like ltc. i am an lpn and will graduate with my adn in november. i currently work in a ltc facility and absolutely love working with geriatrics. however, 90% of my classmates hate ltc and do not want to continue to work in their ltc facilities. there are drawbacks to working in ltc such as not getting as much experience starting ivs, performing lab draws, ng tubes, post-op care, and the list goes on. however, i do get the opportunity to do skilled nursing procedures at my ltc facility. med-surg would allow you to gain a lot of valuable experience, but is not suited for everyone. i say do whatever you want. as a nurse, you could work a job for a while then if you decide it's not for you, there are numerous other opportunities for you to explore. good luck in whatever you choose! :nurse:

suespets · Jul 18, 2008

Get all your learned skills honed, at the hosp.then do ltc ,If you love the elderly. It takes a lot of patience

imanedrn · Jul 18, 2008

I would never work LTC. Half of my patients come from there because of infections, decubs, AMS, etc. I know not all caregivers at LTCs are bad at their jobs, but -- when I see my patients -- it really makes me worry about the state of these facilities... On the other hand, working in the hospital, it's hard to see and "fix" these problems they come in with.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

Half of my patients come from there because of infections, decubs, AMS, etc. I know not all caregivers at LTCs are bad at their jobs, but -- when I see my patients -- it really makes me worry about the state of these facilities

It goes the other way too. I worked LTC for years and years as a CNA. I cannot tell you how many times we sent a resident who had no decubs or any infection other than the one they might be going in for, who then comes back from the hospital with huge open areas and with nice little infections they picked up at the hospital. :twocents:

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2008

I say go where you like. However like some have said if you really want to hone your skills then work in the hospital.

I personally couldn't do LTC. Just isn't for me.

suespets · Jul 19, 2008

My personal favorite(not!) is getting a res. back from hosp,just so they can die in our facility. looks real good w/ state regs,& hosp looks better!They come back to us w/ decubiti they didnt have when we sent them to hosp,(looks bad to funeral directories to) what they must think,I've worked in hosp & ltc, they always gave me the elderly pts (hosps)saying"you know how to care for them better"(what, turning ,repositioning et skin care cream is difficult?)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

Financially speaking, LTC is better for me. Most nursing homes in my area pay hourly rates that are $5 to $8 more than their hospital counterparts. I'd love to learn more acute care skills, but I'd also have extreme difficulty taking the certain cut in pay that would result in working at a major hospital. Since I'm a single female, I must earn every dollar I can get my hands on. After all, no one else will support me monetarily.

mdsmadness · Jul 21, 2008

Here is one way to look at it, a hospital nurse knows what she deals with, in LTC, you have to know a bigger variety of things. Not trying to offend, but think about it. But you have to love your residents, first and foremost and have a great staff. We get resident admitted from hospital stays that have pressure areas also, so that can go both ways.

hippylady7211 · Jul 21, 2008

LTC is my choice. I am currently working on a LTC unit, however, all my patients have psych issues, schizo, abuse issues, manic/depression, etc.

To many times I have seen that we have sent patients to the hospital and tell the hospital what our beliefs are and they ignore us, do a tiny workup and return the patient as they don't want to tie up their beds with the elderly. Case in point:

We had a patient fall out of bed. LOC was not his usual. Sent him to the hospital three, thats 3 times, asking for them to do a complete neuro workup but 3 times they sent him back saying he was constipated. Moral of the story, patient DIED with a subdural hematoma. NEVER once got a head CT or neuro work up.

Family tried to sue the LTC facility but excellant documentation prevented the facility from having to pay big bucks for the hospitals neglect.

Poor little man. How he and his family suffered by one speciality thinking that they know more then the staff that provides care for them everyday.:uhoh21:

Ruthiegal · Jul 22, 2008

I would never work LTC. Half of my patients come from there because of infections, decubs, AMS, etc. I know not all caregivers at LTCs are bad at their jobs, but -- when I see my patients -- it really makes me worry about the state of these facilities... On the other hand, working in the hospital, it's hard to see and "fix" these problems they come in with.

If we all felt like you do then there would be no LTC nurses. I've seen worse come back from the hospital while working in LTC. I do know it isn't for everyone but there are many reasons you see what you do when they come to the hospital it isn't necessarily bad nursing care. It's LTC for those who are living out their last days, think about it. I love that population and most likely will return one day. I didn't leave because of the residents or bad care, it was for more personal reasons. I love the non traditional job I have now but long for my wise elderly residents, even those who can't talk or interact with you can teach you volumes.

Mydnightnurse

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2008

I would never work LTC. Half of my patients come from there because of infections, decubs, AMS, etc. I know not all caregivers at LTCs are bad at their jobs, but -- when I see my patients -- it really makes me worry about the state of these facilities... On the other hand, working in the hospital, it's hard to see and "fix" these problems they come in with.

It's somewhat difficult for the LTC nurse to give his/her undivided attention to 70 patients (yes, I have had seventy patients by myself on night shift). On the other hand, the typical med/surg nurse will have 5 to 7 patients at the local acute care hospital. Until you take one step in our shoes, you should not harshly judge us.