How can I transition from rehab to acute?

[NCPDX]

Hello everyone! I got my BSN a year ago and accepted the only New Grad offer I could get at the time in Acute Rehab at a major hospital. I'm moving back to Oregon and felt pretty good about having my one year of experience hiring managers look for, but now I keep reading that this doesn't count as true experience. The acuity on my floor is quite high. We routinely have trachs, tube feeds, IV meds, hang blood, wound care, rapid responses, code blues, etc. In fact, float pool nurses who cover on our floor frequently talk about how much harder our unit is because so much is going on, PLUS you've got patient's up and out of bed and TBIs trying to escape, etc.

If this year truly doesn't count as acute experience, how can I make the transition from rehab to acute? I'm not looking to go straight to the ICU - a med/surge unit would be just fine. I took ACLS and PALS on my own time to beef up my resume, but am not sure what else I can do proactively. If anyone has made the transition from rehab, I'd love any advice you might have. And if any of you are managers, in your opinion, is one year of acute rehab "less" than a year on a med/surge floor?

Thanks in advance!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You are "reading it " incorrectly.

You know you have acute care experience. Make sure your resume' reflects that in your summary of qualifications, core competencies, and description of your current job duties.

Go get 'em.. you've got this.

[NCPDX]

Thanks BTDT! I was starting to worry about being pigeonholed in rehab by accepting this fellowship. I appreciate your reply.