Working in LTC how to cope

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I am an LPN go back into LTC after 2 years I left previously due to the inadequate staff at the facility, stress and my age. I was at but where I live these places offer the best pay a lot of them pay for school etc. I was 20 y/o old then and felt people never took me seriously as a nurse including the patients. Now that I am older and have gained some experience , I am starting my new job next week per diem at first to get a feel for the place. Then if I like it I well probably pick up more hours. My question how do u keep from getting overwhelmed and staying focused on the job at hand when the job is not the ideal?

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Don't let Nursing Office whine/wheedle/bully you into taking more shifts than you can handle. Know your employment rights.

Make sure you get at least two consecutive days off.

Leave your work at the door when you walk out. Don't even think about the place once you are in the parking lot.

Good Luck.

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Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

The post above has some good advice. If this isn't your long term goal think of it as a stepping stone in order to get more experience and get where you really want to be. Good luck

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

Watch your (literal) back. It's incredibly physically demanding (not that most nursing isn't! :).)

ESPECIALLY what Fiona said. They will always be short. Picking up more days will just perpetuate that cycle because you *will* burn yourself out.

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I am an LPN go back into LTC after 2 years I left previously due to the inadequate staff at the facility, stress and my age. I was at but where I live these places offer the best pay a lot of them pay for school etc. I was 20 y/o old then and felt people never took me seriously as a nurse including the patients. Now that I am older and have gained some experience , I am starting my new job next week per diem at first to get a feel for the place. Then if I like it I well probably pick up more hours. My question how do u keep from getting overwhelmed and staying focused on the job at hand when the job is not the ideal?

My first job was LTC. I was 18 when I got out of nursing school. I worked there from 1997-2001. At first I worked alot of overtime, like 3 16hour shifts in a row. Huge mistake. I learned real fast how to say NO and how to stand up for me and my patients. I now have a 3 year old and havent worked in LTC since I was 9 months pregnant. I really miss it. I absolutely love the elderly. Now I am a school nurse for a high school :uhoh3: You really have to keep in mind your rights and your emotional health in LTC. I hate to say it but I personally dont think it will ever change. It goes in cycles but never completely changes.

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if this is a stepping stone in your career stay focused on that aspect...it will not be forever...you will learn and you will progress your career from what your schooling and your experience....listen to above posts...you fcan burn yourself out working shifts when someone calls in...if you are going to work per diem..or prn talk up front on what you can and cannot do...someitmes you find that the less than ideal turns into a wonderful experience...GOOD LUCK

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