RN job in LTC/rehab

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

What kind of duties could I expect? I am a new grad and have a pretty good shot of getting a job in a LTC/rehab facility attached to a hosp. I know there a lot of LPNs there but wonder if I would be doing different things than they do. I will ask when I go there next week, just curious. From clinical, I know what I would do in a hosp, just not how it works in a different type of facility.

TIA

[amoLucia]

Tasks willl be similar but your job descriptions will be different. Get copies for yourself, including that of the LPNs AND CNAs. Be also familiar with the scope of practice of the 2 licenses - areas of supervision, assessment, teaching and other areas will differ. You'll soon see how all areas blend into a hierarchy of responsibility (that's why you'll get the bigger buck$ and the bigger headaches to go with them. LOL). Good luck in your new job.

[Catch22Personified]

I'm an RN in a LTC/Rehab facility with a lot of LPNs. To be honest the scope the practice is almost the same...as is our pay grades gah. I think of LPNs as basically equals but chose a different path in nursing.

RN's in our facility are only allowed to sign for an initial assessment and must cosign an LPN's (compliance is low on this, the LPN signs and thats the end of that).

LPN's cannot be the charge nurse on the floor or be relief supervisors. This did create some tension when I was only working there for 5 months and the senior LPN was not allowed to do it.

LPN's cannot measure wounds. Ok this one is incredibly stupid, does it seriously take an extra few years on a degree just to take out a ruler and look at something?

[sbostonRN]

I agree with Catch22 - I work at a LTC/rehab and the job descriptions are almost the same. The only thing that I can do that they can't is push IV meds (rarely happens) and sign the paper sending people out via chair car or ambulance. It all depends on your state and your specific job description. On my floor there is a mix of RN's and experienced LPN's. We are expected to do medications and treatments for approx 20 patients. Treatments include wounds, skin care (barrier creams, decub management & prevention, etc), turning & repositioning, pleuravac care, central line care, foley care, etc. Plus dealing with admissions, discharges, toileting patients and fielding questions from CNAs and family members.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I'm an RN in a LTC/Rehab facility with a lot of LPNs. To be honest the scope the practice is almost the same...as is our pay grades gah. I think of LPNs as basically equals but chose a different path in nursing.

RN's in our facility are only allowed to sign for an initial assessment and must cosign an LPN's (compliance is low on this, the LPN signs and thats the end of that).

LPN's cannot be the charge nurse on the floor or be relief supervisors. This did create some tension when I was only working there for 5 months and the senior LPN was not allowed to do it.

LPN's cannot measure wounds. Ok this one is incredibly stupid, does it seriously take an extra few years on a degree just to take out a ruler and look at something?

This is really dumb, that LPNs cannot measure wounds. As RN who was previous a LPN I've had trouble measuring some wounds and needed a LPNs assistance. I can do L W D but when it comes to staging, tunneling, and undermining it becomes a gray area for me. I've worked with LPNs that were certified in wound care and did wound rounds. So this is crazy to me!