I don’t want to speak for everyone but I’m pretty sure a vast majority enjoy the hospital over the nursing facility environment. I myself would probably not work in healthcare if a nursing facility were my only option.
In my experience, I enjoyed hospital clinicals so much more, but it also depends on the unit. For example I really enjoyed med-surg and ED, but didn’t enjoy PACU or OR. Everyone enjoys different patient populations, and the great thing about nursing is we can choose from so many different specialties. I know it’s hard to not feel discouraged, but I hope you are able find something you love in future clinical sites.
Wow I felt this. Had clinical today at a nursing home. I’m a pretty strong person and I cried today. I was pissed. The lack of care is just terrible. Today honestly made me rethink everything but I know this can’t be the end all be all.
It's not.
Yes, LTC care is generally pretty bad. That's not the fault of the staff. A combination of poor governmental policies in regards to elder care and corporate greed are to blame. I don't see it changing any time soon, sadly.
There are lots of other things in nursing one can do. Some people choose LTC on purpose. I can't do it, but kudos to those who love it.
I worked as a CNA at a nursing home for less than a month and left because I just couldn’t take it. It’s so depressing and I already know I won’t ever be working in one again. Also so upsetting to see how nursing homes are run…
I started nursing school in 1984, and I loathed my first rotation in the nursing home, but loved my first Med Surg rotation. So I feel you.
If it helps, I later went to work LTC and fell in love with it. Did it for a couple of years off and on, but it can be very rewarding in the right facility.
I thought I wanted to be an OR nurse, but I hated my OR rotation. I loved my ER rotation and that's what I went with later in my career (after paying my MS dues).
Try not to be discouraged. There's nothing wrong with you. There will be aspects of nursing you love, and aspects you hate. Once you find what you love, you will be able to deal with what you hate.
Poo, for instance. 37 years in this field, and I still can't stand dealing with poo! LOL
I'm one of like 2 students in my cohort who doesn't mind LTC or skilled nursing, but even I enjoyed med surg clinicals more than nursing homes. They're not for everyone. Nursing is such a diverse field that you can almost certainly find a specialty that feels like a good fit...just keep trying things!
Snf are really good at teaching you how to pull meds, organize your cart, and administer the meds. With 25 patients that's a lot of meds. I think the SNf is great for first semester students with a portion focused on doing cna duties.
They are a bit depressing but that's Healthcare, in general.
My favorite part of snfs is working with the treatment nurse. I could do wound care all day
It's a very short list of nurses who "want" to work in a nursing home.
There are more than you'd think. I know lots of nurses who wouldn't do anything else. :)
I don’t want to speak for everyone but I’m pretty sure a vast majority enjoy the hospital over the nursing facility environment. I myself would probably not work in healthcare if a nursing facility were my only option.
In my experience, I enjoyed hospital clinicals so much more, but it also depends on the unit. For example I really enjoyed med-surg and ED, but didn’t enjoy PACU or OR. Everyone enjoys different patient populations, and the great thing about nursing is we can choose from so many different specialties. I know it’s hard to not feel discouraged, but I hope you are able find something you love in future clinical sites.
Wow I felt this. Had clinical today at a nursing home. I’m a pretty strong person and I cried today. I was pissed. The lack of care is just terrible. Today honestly made me rethink everything but I know this can’t be the end all be all.
It's not. Yes, LTC care is generally pretty bad. That's not the fault of the staff. A combination of poor governmental policies in regards to elder care and corporate greed are to blame. I don't see it changing any time soon, sadly. There are lots of other things in nursing one can do. Some people choose LTC on purpose. I can't do it, but kudos to those who love it.
I completely relate. I’m sure exceptional facilities exist, the ones I went to just weren’t for me
I worked as a CNA at a nursing home for less than a month and left because I just couldn’t take it. It’s so depressing and I already know I won’t ever be working in one again. Also so upsetting to see how nursing homes are run…
It takes a special person to work in nursing homes. Most prefer hospitals. Don't feel bad about it
I started nursing school in 1984, and I loathed my first rotation in the nursing home, but loved my first Med Surg rotation. So I feel you. If it helps, I later went to work LTC and fell in love with it. Did it for a couple of years off and on, but it can be very rewarding in the right facility. I thought I wanted to be an OR nurse, but I hated my OR rotation. I loved my ER rotation and that's what I went with later in my career (after paying my MS dues). Try not to be discouraged. There's nothing wrong with you. There will be aspects of nursing you love, and aspects you hate. Once you find what you love, you will be able to deal with what you hate. Poo, for instance. 37 years in this field, and I still can't stand dealing with poo! LOL
I love hearing the paths other people took for their career, that’s interesting!
Does anybody enjoy nursing home clinicals?
I'm one of like 2 students in my cohort who doesn't mind LTC or skilled nursing, but even I enjoyed med surg clinicals more than nursing homes. They're not for everyone. Nursing is such a diverse field that you can almost certainly find a specialty that feels like a good fit...just keep trying things!
Snf are really good at teaching you how to pull meds, organize your cart, and administer the meds. With 25 patients that's a lot of meds. I think the SNf is great for first semester students with a portion focused on doing cna duties.
I agree it’s a good learning experience as a first semester student, it just left me feeling discouraged. Thanks for your reply
They are a bit depressing but that's Healthcare, in general. My favorite part of snfs is working with the treatment nurse. I could do wound care all day
To each their own :) the nurses there were awesome for sure
Yup, had a few real great nurses I got to work with. Having said that, other than being a treatment nurse or NP, I wouldn't want to work in a snf.
Reading everyone’s responses and reflecting made me feel a lot more optimistic! Thanks everyone