Why do RNs choose to work in nursing homes?

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I was originally under the impression nursing home RNs got paid A LOT more than hospital RNs. As a paramedic I would go to these facilities and there was usually 1 RN per "wing" of the nursing home. Caring for 20+? patients? So much medical hx to know and remember. Paper charting? I would assume the stress would be monumental. Everyone depending on you?

TL;DR: What is the allure of working as an RN in a nursing home? I hear they get paid less than hospital nurses and I see the amount of patients they are legally responsible for. Props to you guys, I can barely handle two as it is.

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The pay is marginally better in my area - about $3 to $5 more an hour.

Other than that, I have no idea.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
45 minutes ago, Mkakids said:

The pay is marginally better in my area - about $3 to $5 more an hour.

Other than that, I have no idea.

Same in my area but $5-$10 more

Same patients, build rapport, so you have time to learn patient history.

Subacute, so flows different than acute, but uses as many or more skills. Time management is a must

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It is very simple. Registered nurses get jobs in nursing homes, frequently, because it is a job, when no other employer will hire them and they need income today, not three months or three years from now. Same goes for LPN/LVN's, nursing assistants, housekeeping personnel, even the administrators. Not everyone can get those jobs for "desirable" employers. There just aren't enough of them to go around.

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Tight job market in many places, for one thing. LTC is one of the fields most willing to hire.

Besides that, everyone has their reasons. Flexible hours (for some), friends or family working at the same facility, tight with the boss[es], all-you-can-eat overtime, easy commute, etc.

I worked in a combined LTC/physical rehab as a cna a good number of years ago. I wouldn't work there as an RN due to the inherent taskyness of the work - just too many meds to push and treatments to administer to do as much of anything else as I might like. And also, frankly, because of what I consider to be widespread understaffing and mismanagement and professional liability in that industry. But I did like the patient population and getting to know patients on a longer-term basis. That could be reason enough for many.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

I like working in a nursing home because I am guaranteed hours work, familiarity of patients over time (establish routine), subacute (I don’t like acute care), and availability of overtime.

There is just that sweet spot of walking into work knowing who your patients are every day and how to manage there issues! In acute care where I didn’t know what to expect walking in the door..it nearly gave me anxiety every day. I used to work in long term acute care facility and went back to the nursing home due to the craziness of acute care.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I would hope that many do because they have a passion for elder care

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Make more money per hour, 30 hours a week is considered full-time and am entitled to full-time benefits, can choose to work 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts. If I choose to pick up an extra shift other than what I am scheduled, I get an extra $15 per hour for that shift. Get to know my patients. Most patients are elderly and I like them!

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I have always found it insulting when people ask why I want to work in long term care, as a CNA I've had people tell me to my face that only bad CNA's and nurses work in LTC and nurses and CNA's with "skills" work at hospitals. My nursing instructor told us this as well "We should work hard in school so we don't end up stuck working at a nursing home"

I like working in LTC though. Again I'm just a CNA but I love knowing my residents names and pretty much everything about them. I like that they tell me they look forward to me working. It may be selfish but my residents actually bring me a lot joy and happiness, it's very rewarding work.

We need better staffing ratios in LTC and it's a shame that the ANA in Mass. was against these ratios. We're in it for the long haul as the baby boomers get older and need more complex care, we need nurses, CNA's and doctors to care for these people. I hope as baby boomers get older nurses in the hospital, and new graduate nurses understand the growing need for LTC nurses. Working with the elderly is not as glorified as working in the ER, OB, or even med surg. but our elderly are the most vulnerable in society and deserve the best.

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Specializes in Long term care.

I choose to work in LTD because I get to know my residents, can predict their needs, know what works & doesn't work for them.

Most importantly, I learn about the person, connect with them & really feel like I'm helping & making a difference....which is what I signed up for in the first place!

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I worked in a nursing home for 6 years as an RN. I did it for several reasons such as it was a 15 minute commute versus driving an hour to work in a hospital. I also lived in a small community and knew most of the patients from childhood. I even got to take care of my grandparents! Yes, it is a lot of work and can be stressful but I loved it! For me, the personal connection and time spent with my grandparents was invaluable.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Believe it or not, but some nurses enjoy LTC. For some of us there is no other place we would even consider.

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