Why do you work in a(n) LTC facility?

I am an LPN working in LTC. It is a atmosphere that is not right for everyone. I love working with geriatrics, but hate pediatrics. It just depends what you are attracted to. For me, the money is a motivating factor also. I make about 7 dollars more an hour working in a nursing home than I could in a hospital or drs office. LTC is hard work. You get cussed out, belittled, vomited on, crapped on, peed on, etc., etc. But being a part of someone's life as they write their final chapter in life is irreplacable.:redpinkhe

I work in LTC because old people are awesome.

I have worked in regular nursing homes, I have worked in memory care, and I have worked at a hospital.

Currently, I am working at a facility where I switch between memory care and regular LTC. While there were things I liked about working at the hospital, there were bad things, too. I chose to come to this facility for several reasons. For one, the residents are very well taken care of. Expectations are very high, and while that can make for a stressful environment, no one is neglected and things are actually done right. I make almost $4 more an hour at this LTC than I did at the hospital. Better benefits, better coworkers. And, to top it off, the nearest hospital is a 30 minute drive, while this facility is less than two miles from my home.

It's just a good fit for me.

I will urge you though, to give LTC a chance. It's terrible at first, any CNA job is...because you don't have a routine yet and you don't know your residents yet. You truly do almost all of your learning on the floor. Even now, when I start a new job, I feel like a new CNA again, having to learn a whole new group of people, each one of whom likes things done a certain way.

I liked working in LTC because I developed bonds with a lot of people...I knew what to expect everyday and I had a routine, and I knew the residents' routines. I knew exactly who would be on their call light right at 9pm and I knew what they wanted before I went in the room. And I didn't have to introduce myself every time I went in a room. It is a lot of work, but many older people I worked with rarely had family come visit and I felt like I was the only one they had...so I didn't really mind fetching the strawberry ice cream that didn't have seeds in it right before my shift ended....

Because i'm a glutton for punishment! LOL!

I love my residents deeply but to be honest, when i was 16 i knew i wanted to be a nurse so i figured the expirience would look good when i graduated so i was only going to stay at my LTC long enough to get my CNA.(my LTC offers it for free but you have to work there 3 months before they'll pay for your test). I worked there for a year though and loved it. I took a year off but missed it so much i went back and have been there 2 years now.

Originally, I took the CNA course through my school, because it helps me get into the Nursing Program. I got hired on at my clinical site, which also helps me get into the Nursing Program, and I'm done with all my prerequisites, so I thought a little money and experience wouldn't hurt. I love it so much at my facility, I love the residents (even the difficult ones), my coworkers (for the most part), and there is a lot of employee perks. Honestly, I have been thinking that during Nursing School I still want to work there at least on call, and have thought about working there after I get my RN. I surprised myself with how much I enjoy what I do.

I appreciate everyone's replies. My attitude from day 1 to day 4 did a total flip. I said good-bye to all the residents I encountered and thanked them for letting me "practice my skills". I also thanked each preceptor. It was an experience I will hold close to me forever. Who knows, maybe I'll add geriatrics or LTC to my specialty one day .........and yes older people ARE AWESOME!!!

Now I get to look forward to clinicals at the hospital, and as I've heard and read, it's a whole other ballgame.

I really dig old people too! If they are in touch with reality they really give to me. They really are so knowledgeable about so many things. If you have time to get to know them its fun to hear about their life and what they learned. Especially finding out the core lessens in life are about what we’re taught from the start: simplicity, resentments are wasted energy, don’t take the stupid trivial stuff so seriously, family and friends are really important and just be kind and love one another.

Because I have to LOL

Honestly, I want to work at a hosp and ltcs and home health agencys are the only ones who hire new grads. But I really love my ltcs management, they do anything and everything they can to keep quality people so I think I'll stay there through nursing school (just comm to go that way, a long hard process :))