Why do RN's avoid LTC positions?

Specialties Geriatric

Updated:   Published

What are the pros and cons of working as an RN at a LTC facility? It seems as though many RN's avoid LTC positions.

Is it the nature of the job (LTC duties)? Lack of variety? Do hospitals look view LTC experience as unfavorable experience?

I'm pretty new to the nursing world, but am learning that hospital jobs are highly sought after, while LTC facility jobs the ones to avoid. (Not necessarily my opinion, merely an observation.) Just looking for some insight/opinions!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

A lot of patients in the hospital though are older patients

*** Ya, as a long term hospital nurse I am very aware of that fact. The difference is that they are not all old. A hospital nurse will have a mix of patient ages.

So I don't think it has to do with taking care of "old people". I think it might have to do with the ltc facilities themselves and lack of funding, etc.

*** I am pretty sure is is all about not wanting to take care of old people. The students and new grads I am in regular contact are very unlikely to be aware of lack of funding etc.

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I worked LTC skilled, total, rehab for 1 year! It kicked my behind! However I gained so much knowledge, not only clinical, but in time management, after 1 year i went acute care, medical, surgical, PCU, and ICU.... The knowledge you gain in skilled is worth gold! You will be more calm, more proactive, and be more week rounded! Is it necessary ? No! Is it beneficial? Yes! Remember: lots more happens in LTC then it meets the eye! You are the first to assess what can go wrong! You are the eyes of the needy!

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

I meant well rounded stupid auto correct ! (iPad )

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

On LTC you do your 40++ even though you get 1'2'3'or4 dollars less then acute care, you will almost never be canceled! And often needed! Some times old LTC nurses can be dreading! But once you gain respect, it's a breeze, plus.... Your assessment skills, time management, conduct, charting, what If's and but's answers will grow on you! Needless to say when caring for a Geri in an acute setting you will be the go to person! Yes to LTC - loving tender care!

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I just started school in December and that's exactly what we were told the first week of class (work in med/surg.) I'm having doubts about doing it it right out of the gate myself; maybe later on. I am very interested in working in hospice once I get my RN license.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

In my opinion, the primary difference between acute-care facilities and LTC facilities is that the former is transitionary care while the latter consists more of maintenance care. Personally, I'm much more interested in the shorter-term, transitionary relationship.

Acute-care settings provide more opportunity to care for patients who may be returning to a function similar to what they had prior to their admission.

Personally, I prefer the unstable ED or ICU patients... just more my thing.

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Specializes in PACU.

I hate the infantilization of the elderly. It truly makes me want to cry to see someone lose their cognitive function, or independence, and so on. I have nothing AGAINST this population; as a matter of fact I like caring for them in my setting as I can ensure that they're treated with dignity and kept comfortable.

The often poor staffing sure doesn't help make LTC nursing appealing. LTC is also pretty routine-oriented. I hate routine. I've done private duty home care which is basically similar to LTC other than the fact that it's 1:1, pays less, and is usually way less stressful.

LTC could be a great choice for others who have different interests and preferences. I would just recommend looking into a facility before taking a position. I have the utmost respect for all nurses who do a good job regardless of the setting in which they work.

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Specializes in med surg ltc psych.

Since graduating a mere 3 yrs ago, I have had some incredible opportunities at various positions (hosp ortho neuro floor, psych, public health and wellness nurse and MDS coordinator) all as an LPN in my state. Conversely I have also worked as a floor nurse at some LTC facilities. Out of these diverse settings by far the most difficult and sometimes rediculously impossible shifts have been at LTC. I have done agency also and was sent to an LTC and as the offgoing nurse was leaving after narc count stated "oh by the way you are covering the other floor also because ***** called off tonight" You've go to be kidding me. Here I am one solitary agency LPN with no RN on board and 64 residents all my responsibility with two narcoleptic aids, and had already been there a good 30 mins and can't abandon. Of course I notified the agency manager to notify her of this horrific assignment and most likely knocked her out of some good sleep by 2330. So no.. I firmly do not believe that there are many LTC's standing that operate efficiently or safely. I took a chance even with my limited experience and applied for a teaching position because I thought perhaps my degree in biology would allow me to teach at least an area or two coupled with my PN licensure and have been at this small college now for the last 6 mo and feel great about it. Oh yes the pay rate is less but I'll take that in trade for decent sleep and a school schedule. I believed this about myself; even with far less experience than other applicants I boldly did this as an experiment to see if I could be hired. With 2.5 yrs nursing exp and a 4 yr biology degree it equaled the requirement. I say get out of LTC if it gets rediculous. Apply for something you'd not have considered before. It may surprise you.

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SuesquatchRN said:
I like LTC. Don't love it but like it. I hated being a floor nurse there but then, I hated that in the hospital, too. I am now doing hospice, visiting, and love it. Lots of freedom, lots of autonomy, and no MDs changing orders every 30 seconds.

It depends to a degree on your state. I started in NY and LTC was very tightly watched by the gov't so the corner-cutting I see here in TX, where they have actually outsourced a lot of survey, wasn't possible. But it's hard, wherever you are.

First I wanted to say.. LOVE your id! :D

Second- I currently work in LTC. I graduated from my ADN program in Dec. of 2010 and was hired for the NOC shift in Jan. in LTC. I do like it... it's where I wanted to be since I made the choice to get my RN.

Now that I have been there a year, I am really looking at Hospice. I did one rotation in school with hospice and enjoyed it. When I tell people that this is what I may do sometime in the future they don't understand because death is so sad. Yes, it is sad but Hospice nurses make such a big difference to those who are looking at death and their families. They make the dying process a little easier to deal with. Thanks for all you do!!

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

When did you move to my fair state?!

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Me? June! And loving it, religion and all. ;)

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Yes, you. Dunno why the quote didn't work. ?

N, S, E or W?

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