whats wrong with wanting to work for a LTC

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 25, 2010

No, it is not a tragic event to start one's career in a nursing home.

You must realize that the comments being made by your family members and friends are reflective of society's overall negative opinions regarding the frail elderly. Plenty of value is placed on the lives of infants, children, and younger adults. However, older people tend to be devalued in American society. For example, many people become excited at the thought of a nurse who works in postpartum, pediatrics, trauma, the emergency department, reproductive medicine, or other areas where younger patients end up. However, the thoughts become less enthusiastic when the nurse is employed in an area where many elderly patients are seen, such as rehab, long term care, or oncology.

Pegasus65 · May 25, 2010

I agree with what Commuter said about our society wanting to "toss our elderly to the curb". In the beginning I truly WANTED to work in LTC.. in fact I have a 85-year-old mom who resides with my hubby and I.

For myself.... it was NOT the elderly residents that I had an issue with at all... it was the ridiculous unsafe workload expected in an impossible time frame without the proper orientation on not only paperwork, but even where the simplest items were located.

It was also watching a 90-year-old lady get up and fall and have to be sent out over and over again (her face was already black and blue) because no type of restraint was allowed and I couldn't get to her in time to stop this latest fall. :crying2: This really bothered me especially with having MY mom at home.

I honestly am not trying to sound negative I am just being realistic about "my" experiences. If I could find another establishment that was different I would be glad to work in LTC. But I have tried two and for the most part they were the same. I am not willing to risk it again.

Good luck to you in the future and have a great day!

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 25, 2010

I might also throw my hat into the LTC ring (per diem). I have a friend who is an RN supervisor at one a few blocks from my permanent job and he told me to bring in my resume.

I hear a great deal of horror stories about long term care and I have worked in a nursing home as a CNA and was not impressed. I still remember those poor LPNs having to medicate and treat 60-plus patients. And, I saw a horrible pecking order between the staff as well as the politics.

What made me say I'll give it a whirl is that I want to be able to add to my resume that I have done LTC, and with this economy being the way that it is, the more experience I can add, the better. Or, one day, it may be an only option, so, I wouldn't want to go into it for the first time because I had no other quick options. I also figured that at least with a familiar face, I would feel more comfortable. I'm not placing 100% trust in him or anyone, for that matter, but, to walk in stone cold to a situation like most nurses have can be catastrophic. I can only hope that because this is one of the 'higher end' facilities, the culture won't be so bad (I pray). And, I told my friend early...if I don't like it, I am OUT.

taRaNeika_88 · May 28, 2010

I think that what everyone else said is true....I also think that it is perfectly fine that you want to work in LTC. I would also like to work in a LTC. Everyone is different and have choices to where they want to work. In my class it varies: there are some of the students that want to work in a LTC, some would like to work in a clinic and some in hospitals.....

Good Luck to you and whatever choices you make...I'll be done in July and I must say..put on your seatbelt you have a bumpy ride ahead of you....You can do it!!!!

Congrats on getting in the program:yeah: Keep us updated:nurse:

jelorde37 · May 31, 2010

commuter is correct! but u got to remember that everyone deserves good nursing care. plus, becoming and lvn will only open up more doors for u. any advancement in education is a positive. many people tend to forget that.

Jasoninpa · Jun 3, 2010

I'm completing courses now and plan to start nursing school in the Spring '11. I am a male, and I'm actually drawn to working in LTC. Obviously, since I have never been a nurse, I can only speak from my feelings rather than experience, but I think there is a lot of bureacracy and a hierarchy in a lot of hospitals, too. In fact, the largest hospital in my area, UPMC, is well known for this. I think it's honorable to want to work with the elderly; in a way, it's really the heart of what it means to be a nurse, I think: caring for the most vulnerable.

anonymous1919, LPN · Jun 4, 2010

LTC isn't the only places LPN's can work first off... and second LTC is great :)

rouqie · Jun 22, 2010

I have to agree with an earlier post that stated it was how society views the elderly. My sister and I are both Rns we were long term care nurses for years but recently she left to go work in the ER. Everyone tells me I am settling and that my sister is "doing something with her degree." I ways tell people we just work with different people. Now I am a supervisor and people still tell me that I am "wasting my degree." But I tell them it's what I wanna do and it makes me happy so it's not really a waste.

Zombi RN · Jun 22, 2010

Quite honestly there are different areas of nursing and there is something for everyone. There is nothing wrong with wanting -- or liking -- to work LTC. And I agree with Jasoninpa that there is a certain amount of honorable...ness... to that intention.