Need Honest answer

[lumbarpain]

I have been a LTC Charge nurse for 18 years. I want to change my career. Is this a position for a 55 year old RN. What qualifications are they primarily looking for. I am hesitant on going into this. Suggestions?

[katkonk, BSN, RN]

"At my facility the nurses do respond to emergencies and stabilize the patient while waiting for the EMTs to arrive. We are not doing the stretcher, etc because the EMTs do that. Of course we are expected to be able to lift a certain amount to get the job though. Also, we have to be able to run and respond to the emergencies so gotta be able to get up and go!!"

Chulada, when you say EMT's, do you mean EMT's that you called from outside EMS service, or EMT's that work onsite at the prison? We do not have EMT's at the prisons here, only RN's, LVN's, and pill techs. We have to take the stretcher to get them back to the clinic. Everything comes back to the clinic/ER room, even doing chest compressions. We don't have EMT's meet us anywhere except the clinic. Also, wondering what state you are in, just for reference. Interested to hear how others do things.