Why do RNs choose to work in nursing homes?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

Did it for 3 months. God bless LTC nurses and cnas and staff. I loved the patient population but not the politics of running that facility. They had major issues and still do.

I guess I've only had run ins at the understaffed nursing homes. I'm glad to see not all LTC facilities are understaffed and overworked.

I worked at one that was local to my house - great reputation. It was small, 33 patients but medications and treatments were very heavy. What got me was the politics - what a joke. The administrator and DON were a thing - the DON never showed up to work when scheduled leaving me to work alone. The CNAs ran the place - administrator would put it on me to straighten out the issues yet whenever I tried to fix anything, he sided with the aides. I loved the patients but I refuse to bend to politics. God bless all staff in LTC - it takes a heart of gold to put up with the crap.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
On 11/8/2019 at 1:47 PM, Nursingstudent___ said:

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.

I think I love you. ?

Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

I chose nursing home work as an RN for I wanted MORE contact with my residents and most people in them have no friends or family left. they are alone. The elderly are in my eyes discarded like an old shoe. And yes...I got to KNOW them much better , enjoy their conversations, and felt this is the end of their life.....why should it be miserable. But Nursing homes (the last one I worked for was money hungry) and working there was a nightmare...short staffed all the time, violent, verbally abusive residents, complaints were rampant every day, no organization .....no morale whatsoever.....after 30 years....I am looking into new avenues. And the sad part about it all is that WE ALL GET OLD and may wind up in a nursing home one day

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Specializes in Geriatric/Sub Acute, Home Care.

Since my last post I have changed jobs...very low pay but its with the Salvation Army dealing with homeless population....however..I am still in Nursing mode and the operations are much different , although I can offer many helpful hints and help for those people struck down in life by financial, family problems, or losing a job, or home to a disaster. I had just started there and the staff are very helpful and nice so far. However I still have my license and don't know how this works now. I am used to following up with those that either go into the hospital or have other issues.. I need to know my limitations here which is very difficult after nearly 35 years of LTC. My last job In a local nursing home was a disaster....not on my part but the facility itself was so disorganized and last I heard many of the higher management was leaving. But this is a normal part of their so called organization there....very sad. I do miss certain patients I had there and maybe one day will return to see how they are. You have to move onto different avenues in life and due to optical nerve damage my days giving meds and injections are getting extremely diffifult . I don't want to be liable for doing harm to anyone...so this is my best advantage now after a long hard difficult job seeking venture over the last 6 months. God provides in the end but not on our watches sad to say at times..... sometimes it takes too long and the stress gets out of control. But He did come through for me as He always has, we just need a lot of patience.

On 11/8/2019 at 9:03 AM, Here.I.Stand said:

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

This is what I am thinking/hoping too. You hear such horror stories about abuse and neglect and I would hope nurses go into this area to provide amazing care to the elder population.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I have a passion for gerontological nursing, but I’ll do it on a step down ?

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