Why Long Term Care?

[jocelynlpn]

I have been working in a long term care facility since I started nursing. Since I was a student, I knew that I wanted to stay working in long term care. None of my classmates agreed with me, and they went on doing other things. I was just wondering, if you're a nurse in long term care, why did you pursue it? And what do you love about it?

[mazy]

busymommy, you will NOT be doing bedside care in LTC. You will start by banging out medications for five hours a day, minimum, and the rest will be treatments, usually fairly minor but plentiful, and documentation. The aides do the rest.

That has not been my experince. Once you get a routine going you get to spend a lot of time with your patients. Also, I always help the CNAs; you need to get up close and personal in your residents' personal business to know what's really going on with them.

The caveat to that of course is the number of patients you're taking care of. I have 24 right now and can handle that load, even though sometimes I just want to cry, which unfortunately is the reality of nursing wherever you go. If you get more than that, yes, you are going to be struggling and maybe looking for another job.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

That has not been my experince. Once you get a routine going you get to spend a lot of time with your patients. Also, I always help the CNAs; you need to get up close and personal in your residents' personal

For me to pass 8 a.m. meds to 24 patients I need a minimum of two hours and probably won't finish on time. Then there are noon which are a good hour and, if you are on 12s, 1600, which is a good 1 1/2 -2. Now, time is spent with your residents, but not doing bedside care. ADLs are the domain of the aides, which is the primary care involved beyond meds and documentation and any small txs. Finger sticks, insulins, skin tears, investigating skin tears and bruises, etc. Now, YMMV, but maybe I use a different definition of "bedside care" than you.

[mazy]

Now, YMMV, but maybe I use a different definition of "bedside care" than you.

Sorry, I'm not on top of all the internet terminology. What does YMMV mean?

But it is an interesting concept to explore in this thread. What do we mean when we say "bedside care?"

For me it means to be able to interact with my residents, maybe help them pull on a shirt, help the more with-it residents to the toilet if the CNA isn't available, talk to families, explain in layman's terms what is going on with them medically, get them some extra blankets, praise them on accomplishments such as walking down the hall or drawing a nice picture, maybe cut up their dinner if no one is around to do it, or even help them eat if I have some down time, which is rare.

I guess it means to me to be able to have a more personal interaction with the residents. Even though those interactions are few and far between, it is the main thing that keeps me going and makes my job worth all the headaches.

On the other hand, too often, there are some shifts where half-way through or even just taking report, I just want to curl up in a ball and fall on the floor weeping and I barely get through the basic med pass on time. Those are the times that I commiserate with my equally stressed co-workers about why did I even come in to work.

But it's those personal connections with the residents that keep me walking in the door.

UPdated to add:

I work in a non-profit facility. There is a really strong push for high quality patient care and a lot of resources to make that happen. I've worked in the for-profit sector and it is a whole different animal. I earn less money where I am now but I hope I never have to go back into the for-profit sector.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Your mileage may vary.

:)

[jocelynlpn, LPN]

busymommy, you will NOT be doing bedside care in LTC. You will start by banging out medications for five hours a day, minimum, and the rest will be treatments, usually fairly minor but plentiful, and documentation. The aides do the rest.

I work 8 hour shifts at my LTC facility. During the day, the most bedside care I do is helping the aides toilet the residents. But when I work evenings, I do a lot of HS care.

[Mom2boysRN]

I was looking for a hospital job but noone would hire me since I was a new grad with only AL (unskilled) experience. I applied to a ltc that does rehab/skilled care. I've only been there for 3 months and am no longer looking for a hospital job. I enjoy what I'm doing and like getting to know my pts. On the rehab floor we have high acuity pts at times and I'm getting good experience if one day I want to go to the hospital. I also work on the demenita unit which also has some skilled care involved but lots of psychosocial skills are needed.

I enjoy the residents/patients, the families, the familiarity with the people I work with. It's never slow or dull, my shifts pass very quickly (that's just nursing in general though). I'm sure one day I'll move on to the hospital or home health, but for now I'm very happy in LTC.