Working in LTC

Hey everyone!

I just recently graduated from my program as an RN, and had a job offer just kind of fall in my lap from a long term care facility. I came into nursing wanting to work with the elderly so this is right up my alley! It was also great to hear that the hours would be 8-4:30 Monday through Friday because I have 3 school aged children so it would work out perfectly for me. 

I did have some questions though. I understand that every facility is different, but I haven’t found a post yet that describes the job duties that I was told during the interview, so I was curious if anyone had ever worked in a similar work environment. The DON explained to me that I would work as sort of a “assistant DON” of a specific hall. There would be LPN’s on that hall as well as CNA’s, I would assist them if they needed the help but most of the time I would be in an office and there would be some auditing involved as well.

I was slightly worried about the patient load, after reading some posts on working in LTC, but she said that it wasn’t near as bad as medsurg.

Has anyone ever worked at a facility that operated like this and how did you like it? Also, any tips for succeeding in the world of long term care?

thank you!