Will LTC as a new grad kill other options???

bill4745, RN · Sep 7, 2006

I don't think it will help any. You really need a year of med-surg to strengthen and sharpen your skills first. I knew someone who went immediately into psych nursing from school. She stayed there for three years and is now having a major problem moving into med-surg or ICU.

mickeypat · Sep 7, 2006

IMHO..... being a LTC nurse will help you with med-surg! I was a LTC nurse before I did med-surg and was much better at it! With LTC, you learn more about signs and symptoms and what to look for in the different disease processes. I know a lot of med-surg nurses who have come to LTC to help out and to sharpen their "assessment" skills.

Good luck in what ever you choose....

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2006

Just a thought but when you do look for a hospital job you most likely won't get days to start. FRom what I've seen almost all new employees start on nights or afternoons. It is not based on how much experience you have, but how long you have been with the hospital. It took me about 6 months to get to days. That said, LTC is good experience, especially at learning to prioritize care.

slinkeecat · Sep 7, 2006

I think every facet of nursing will "sharpen your skills". LTC nursing will be very eye-opening as you will see the end result of disease processes and you will be a better pt educator when you do work in med/surg. You can use the knowlegde you gain in a LTC setting to improve the outcome for your younger pt w/ the same disease process.

I makes me sad when I hear other nurses and then general public put ltc nurses down ... God love those lpn/rn's and cna's who care for the elderly

I thank you.......!!!

catlady, BSN, RN · Sep 7, 2006

I personally wouldn't have any qualms about hiring an LTC nurse into the hospital, because I know exactly what they do, but unfortunately, I've known nurses who've had trouble moving in that direction, especially if they have never worked in a hospital before.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2006

Gosh..I really hate to say this but in a way YES. How do I know...I had to struggle hard to get into hospial after 4 years in LTC/ALF!~

I really feel that my time in LTC/ALF was a huge huge benifit and made me into a wonderful nurse! However, getting through applications and interviews sent to facilities I wanted to work in...well...I was overlooked and didn't make first pass because I wasn't doing what they considered as "acute care" (anyone that works LTC will tell you, we DO ACUTE care, and typically with NO or little support!). So I really think my time there was the best thing I ever did...I honed in my nursing skills and personal style and grew as a nurse...but the stigma is there. (had one HR person at a local hospital tell me off the record that I was working in the "elephant graveyard of nursing...once you go there...your there!".).

BUT! I made a positive change and went agency for a while and found a great hospital and really proved myself to them working for them...they begged me to apply...I mean BEGGED! In fact, another hospital did too and I had quite a sweet spot...they were battling over me with incentives and pay and my choice in schedules....WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! I picked the one I adored, and now am as happy as a clam working in Med/surge (and I didn't think I would like it..and I love it...and see my old pts there too since I am at their local hospital!).

I won't deny it took some creative implemenations to get the hospital job after working in LTC/ALF...but it can be done if you put your mind to it. BUT working in LTC/ALF really prepared me for being a all around nurse...heck, what is the largest population of patients??? Elderly! ...and with them...I am set in advanced :)!

Markthemalenurse · Sep 7, 2006

IMHO..... being a LTC nurse will help you with med-surg! I was a LTC nurse before I did med-surg and was much better at it! With LTC, you learn more about signs and symptoms and what to look for in the different disease processes. I know a lot of med-surg nurses who have come to LTC to help out and to sharpen their "assessment" skills.
Good luck in what ever you choose....

:yeahthat:

IMustBeCrazy · Sep 7, 2006

I don't think it will help any. You really need a year of med-surg to strengthen and sharpen your skills first. I knew someone who went immediately into psych nursing from school. She stayed there for three years and is now having a major problem moving into med-surg or ICU.

While I agree that from a hospital day-to-day workflow standpoint this grad would be at a disadvantage to segue back into hospital from LTC (it's not impossible however - hospitals DO hire new grads that need to be taught also, right??), I completely disagree with the blanket sentiment that psych nurses are not real nurses. I work in a real hospital, take care of real pts that have real medical problems in addition to their real psychiatric illnesses. There is nothing that I do that is 'less a nurse' than any of my medical floor counterparts. It is ignorance that keeps perpetuating this myth.