For those of you with 1 year sub-acute experience...

[Art_Vandelay]

Did you start applying to hospitals at that point? Did you get calls to interview?? Did you get the job? Would love to know(especially if you're in Arizona).

[bbedit]

What's sub-acute please?

[Art_Vandelay]

Sub-acute is a skilled nursing facility, i.e. requiring skilled nursing care. It is NOT a hospital(acute). Nor is it long term care(LTC) where the patients live permanently and do not require skilled therapy. In sub-acute, patients are not sick enough, by insurance standards these days, to still be in the hospital, but they still need some type of care to continue in their recovery before going home. For example, a patient recovering from joint replacement who still requires PT/OT and not able to function independently yet. Or a patient recovering from stroke, also still requiring PT/OT. Or a patient who had a heart valve replacement and requires a long course of antibiotic therapy. Hope this helps.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I started my nursing career as an LVN in nursing homes and subacute in early 2006. I earned my RN license last year and applied to a few hospitals. Keep in mind that I live in a major metropolitan area where hospital employment is hard to find.

I interviewed at a major teaching hospital, but was not hired because I arrived late to the interview (I know... totally my fault). I interviewed at another teaching hospital for a night shift position, but I lost interest when they were attempting to place me into a day shift spot because I do not like working days. I interviewed at a small regional hospital, and although they hired me, I refused the job offer for several reasons.

Over the past year I have realized that I do not have the sense of urgency, passion, or desire to do acute care hospital nursing. I do not like the stress and drama that comes with dealing with higher acuity patients. I do not like working at a fast pace. In addition, the hospitals were offering pay rates that were lower than what I had been earning as an LVN. In other words, my heart is not in the hospital. Otherwise, I would have accepted the two offers of hospital employment that came in my direction.

However, to answer your original question, I did receive the chance to get my foot into the door of the acute hospital setting, although I passed up the opportunity.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

I only have 6 months experience in a SNF and have gotten a call for an interview for an ED internship, fingers crossed that I get it

[Art_Vandelay]

@TheCommuter: That is great news that you did have the opportunity to interview. I hope I am as fortunate.

@LoveMyBugs: :anpom:Good luck on your interview. I would love to work ER at some point.