Seriously, I just finished responding to a thread on general and a comment about it's a career killer just ticked me.:angryfire
Why isn't it viewed as just a viable career direction?
My DON is one of the nicest, down to earth, supportive, awesome people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, much less work for and she started in an ICU and hated it.
I really thought I would stay in the direction of critical care. I loved my rotation in the burn unit and that was my goal. However I've noticed that it seems to take a certain type that flourishes in the BTU, ICU, ER type environments. It seems they have to lose the compassion since it's a cold, clinical type atmosphere. No matter how much I would love to have the skills that critical would provide, it's in no way worth a trade off to work with those types of people.
I do not work with any backstabbers. All the nurses from all 3 floors will lunch together. It's a place that fosters respect and realizes that if you treat your employees with dignity and optimism, those people will in turn treat the residents and each other with dignity and cheerful attitudes.
So I guess unless I figure away to gain skills in a critical environment on a casual basis, it's just won't be meant to be. Because I'm not willing to lose a really important component of wanting to go to work and really enjoying those that I work with and for. vs getting some really great skills but being stressed out and not liking where I work.
I'm just sick of reading that LTC is a dead end or someplace to go when no one else is hiring. And it seems like there's an attitude that you're less of a nurse if you work LTC I make a difference and I go home feeling good, I don't think that's a small thing or a less worthy career path.
Yes I unfortunately took this place off my radar when I first graduated b/c my school pushed the whole "gotta have hospital experience". Strange blessing for me that the economy tanked and my original plan of the exact place that I'm now working, came back into view. And timed as such that they were willing to hire me b/c of "me" as they're not one of those that has a constant demand for nurses. They retain who they hire.
I just wish the negativity towards LTC would stop. If you are seriously that miserable then look for another direction, Life is far to precious and short to be that unhappy and it's a choice to be unhappy.
Okay vent over, I'm just tired of reading the same thing...maybe I should stop reading!
I use my technical skills. Not as often as those in acute, but they get used. And really, it's like riding a bicycle. I was out of clinical nursing for a couple of years, and cathing someone, priming an IV - bah. That is NOT the heart of nursing and came back the first time I did it.
I manage a unit. I want to see an acute care nurse on a 44 bed unit, get the MDSs and care plans done, herd cats, chase down documentation, and take a cart when the second LPN calls off three times in one week, supervise a 120 bed facility on weekends with patients who are trying to die. And get it done on time.
I was in the hospital ER to have some staples removed after my c-section, and low and behold the er room next to mine was one of our residents, a very confused man with alzheimers and they had him restrained, and I overheard 2 staff one nurse -- said I cant wait until they send him back to the dog pound. I was so sad by that whole thing. I have totally lost respect for this nurse. What is even sadder is almost everytime we send a resident to the hospital, they demand we leave a staff member to "watch" them. but it is not the whole staff over there, because I have been there several times with the baby and they are so great, so yes does seem to mean they feel the elderly dont matter much. I guess since I work for the dog pound I am a real B#####!
You know what? I guess I'm a real b**** as well because I would have called the nurse manager or administrator pronto to complain about the staff who made that comment.
I am sorry, I am just too old for this kind of nonsense. The dog pound, indeed. How would they feel if one of their family members had dementia, was confused and needed LTC?
I was in the hospital ER to have some staples removed after my c-section, and low and behold the er room next to mine was one of our residents, a very confused man with alzheimers and they had him restrained, and I overheard 2 staff one nurse -- said I cant wait until they send him back to the dog pound. I was so sad by that whole thing. I have totally lost respect for this nurse. What is even sadder is almost everytime we send a resident to the hospital, they demand we leave a staff member to "watch" them. but it is not the whole staff over there, because I have been there several times with the baby and they are so great, so yes does seem to mean they feel the elderly dont matter much. I guess since I work for the dog pound I am a real B#####!
If I heard that some poo would be hitting the fan so fast their heads would spin. Do not disrespect the elderly!:angryfire That is something that was not allowed in my house growing up and I do not allow my children to do so either!
I did complain to the CEO and the second time I tried to meet with them they where in the office but "in a meeting" But that was one bad apple but it left a horrible taste in my mouth and I will not soon forget it. If I would not have been laying there getting embedded staples removed I would have gotten up and probably would have been in trouble. They will say that to the wrong person oneday or better yet "nurse big-mouth" will get dementia and I will say come on over to the dog pound lol
I am a new graduate and I agree with you completely! I love LTC and prefer to work in that area. Unfortunately I am not getting any interest from anyone but hospitals right now...ugh! Forget those other people who look down on your career! Taking care of the elderly is one of the most rewarding and amazing jobs on the planet! I dare any nurse to tell me differently!!
...I worked in LTC before moving onto an acute care setting in a hospital. I can't tell you how much my ltc experience helped me at the bedside. I would notice subtle changes in an elderly pt. that other staff would dismiss as "just old and ornery". Our assessment skills are just as valid; I can spot a UTI faster than most before the lab results! The amount of meds I had to know in ltc and how they interacted was so helpful when I moved to acute care.
I take much pride in being an LTC nurse. There is no other area of nursing that I'd rather work in. I really enjoy working with the elderly and there is no better feeling than going home after work knowing that I made a difference(this applies to all nursing fields/ares).
Any nurse who has the energy to "look down" on LTC nurses obviously has some issues that need to be addressed emotionally weather it's insecurity or just plain old bitterness. NO nurse should "look down" on ANY field/area of nursing, being an LTC nurse is a very important role in our society and we are very much needed! And I am very proud to be a part of this field, I am at the most happiest point in my life, I love my job:loveya:
Specializes in med/surg; LTC.....LPN, RN, DON; TCU.
I have almost 15 years in LTC and I put myself through LPN school working as a CNA. Being a single male nurse in the rural setting here in New Mexico LTC offers stable employment. The local hospitals call off nurses but you don't see that in LTC. As an RN I have finicial security that I wouldn't have working at the local hospital. I have worked in almost all areas of the hospital and loved it but LTC is stable.
Seriously, I just finished responding to a thread on general and a comment about it's a career killer just ticked me.:angryfire
Why isn't it viewed as just a viable career direction?
My DON is one of the nicest, down to earth, supportive, awesome people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, much less work for and she started in an ICU and hated it.
I really thought I would stay in the direction of critical care. I loved my rotation in the burn unit and that was my goal. However I've noticed that it seems to take a certain type that flourishes in the BTU, ICU, ER type environments. It seems they have to lose the compassion since it's a cold, clinical type atmosphere. No matter how much I would love to have the skills that critical would provide, it's in no way worth a trade off to work with those types of people.
I do not work with any backstabbers. All the nurses from all 3 floors will lunch together. It's a place that fosters respect and realizes that if you treat your employees with dignity and optimism, those people will in turn treat the residents and each other with dignity and cheerful attitudes.
So I guess unless I figure away to gain skills in a critical environment on a casual basis, it's just won't be meant to be. Because I'm not willing to lose a really important component of wanting to go to work and really enjoying those that I work with and for. vs getting some really great skills but being stressed out and not liking where I work.
I'm just sick of reading that LTC is a dead end or someplace to go when no one else is hiring. And it seems like there's an attitude that you're less of a nurse if you work LTC I make a difference and I go home feeling good, I don't think that's a small thing or a less worthy career path.
Yes I unfortunately took this place off my radar when I first graduated b/c my school pushed the whole "gotta have hospital experience". Strange blessing for me that the economy tanked and my original plan of the exact place that I'm now working, came back into view. And timed as such that they were willing to hire me b/c of "me" as they're not one of those that has a constant demand for nurses. They retain who they hire.
I just wish the negativity towards LTC would stop. If you are seriously that miserable then look for another direction, Life is far to precious and short to be that unhappy and it's a choice to be unhappy.
Okay vent over, I'm just tired of reading the same thing...maybe I should stop reading!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post!!!!!!!! It is sooooo true. I have struggled with going straight into LTC because everyone thinks it is "career suicide". I love the elderly and I know that I belong in LTC. I need relationships with people, not quick assessments, cold care. Thank you for reminding me that I am not crazy for wanting to do this!!!!
And don't forgot the good hours. I work 8 hours a day 7:30 to 4PM... Perfect. hours... I usually go in when i want, as long as I work 8 hours. I used to work every other weekend and now I work 1out of 4.
Also my maturity and previous experience are considered an asset!!!!
It's sad that society devalues the elderly, I mean if we live we will all get old, right? Working in the ER I see a lot of septic patients that come from LTC and I wonder why? Are the nurses caring for these people, why the bed sores, why do the patients come to us in such bad shape..........I dont look down on the nurses, I just wonder why?.............................................
I have had Residents go septic very quickly. they have shown no sign of infection. Its been 4 years since that has happened. but at my currently facility I have 17 residents per wing, 1 LPN and 2 aids per wing.
I make a difference and I go home feeling good, I don't think that's a small thing or a less worthy career path.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
I use my technical skills. Not as often as those in acute, but they get used. And really, it's like riding a bicycle. I was out of clinical nursing for a couple of years, and cathing someone, priming an IV - bah. That is NOT the heart of nursing and came back the first time I did it.
I manage a unit. I want to see an acute care nurse on a 44 bed unit, get the MDSs and care plans done, herd cats, chase down documentation, and take a cart when the second LPN calls off three times in one week, supervise a 120 bed facility on weekends with patients who are trying to die. And get it done on time.