First job in sub-acute unit in LTC

Published

Finally, I have found a place who might be interested in hiring me. But now I am getting nervous as I always thought that you should start your RN career in a hospital - rather than in a nursing home. I was offered a possible job in a sub-acute area of a longterm care facility where I would need to do IVs etc. So I assume that I would have to perform skills etc. But is this is a good choice? How about work conditions and/or pay? I really don't care much about pay but I would like to get at least what I would get in a hospital. How about ratios? Is it true that an RN in a LTC has a bigger ratio than in a hospital?

Thank you for your comments.

Specializes in Geriaterics, RN Student.

OK... throwing in my 2 cents worth. I am an LPN on a subacute unit. I have at most 23 pts, at the least 13... that was a very slow period. My assessment skills are getting to be exceptional (if I do say so myself).

For complicated pts...

1. 2 days post op amputation and the dumb doc put the leg into a cast we couldn't remove for 3 weeks... did I mention she was a brittle diabetic?

2. 3 days post op abdominal surgery followed by complications CHF, dehydration and 80lbs soaking wet. To name just a few.

3. hospice pts---

4. metastatic lung cancer.

5. fractured back and neck 3 days post laminectomy

6. multiple pts who have multiple system failure

7. Running IV 1000cc q shift practically into a pt with CHF, and 100mg qday of lasix.

8. so many pneumonias I can't remember them all...

and this is only my first year. I was terrified beyond words on this floor, but it was what I had requested when initially hired because I wanted to be busy... :bugeyes: I'm busy alright.

I am learning from nurses with 30 yrs experience being challenged in ways I never thought possible and I wouldn't have it any other way. LTC has a astigmatism to it that is in some cases founded. But you are learning how medications and multiple system failure works by being challenged and figuring out how to improve the lives of people who have value that others in the medical profession sometimes forget. You are fighting for your patients and reminding doctors that just because someone is 94 they matter, they still have value. I was told by a surgeon regarding my 94 yrs old pt who had surgery to correct a duodenal ulcer that her complications after her surgery were not his problem because her incision had healed, her primary didn't care because she was 94 and a no code. I cared... I fought for her. You can make a huge difference in LTC and learn so much about nursing... not just the technical stuff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I need help. does anyone know of a nursing home that have a sub acute unit that is hiring? I m a new nurse and looking to work to gain experiences. It is so hard to get hire at a hospital now without any experience. I live in san jose and i don't mind the commute. Please let me know if anyone out there know of a place. I'm an RN. thank you all

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion