From nursing home to hospital

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Sep 25, 2023

I worked in LTC for five years before I moved into a hospital med-surg position. I didn't leave the LTC because I hated it, but I have to say I worked harder in that job than in any job since. As busy as my nights have been in med-surg, ICU, step-down, etc. covering up to 60 patients in LTC could be quite the work load! In your time in LTC you have developed assessment and time management skills that will serve you well in a hospital environment.

Yes, there is a big difference between taking care of basically well people in their "home" environment, and taking care of acutely ill people in the hospital environment. But you can learn the tools you will need to make you successful in the hospital, just like you did in LTC. good luck with your new career.

Davey Do · Sep 25, 2023

As a general rule, I have found that the very best RNs that I worked with had been LPNs who had LTC experience.

Most likely, the reason was because of the vast array of resident diagnoses and heavy workload experienced in working LTC.

After years of working LTC, HH, and as a community nurse both as an LPN and RN, I went back to the hospital setting back in '03. One of the first things that surprised me was the large number of staff complaints of the workload. I remember thinking, "Jeez! This is a cakewalk in comparison to my previous positions! The workload is doable and there were so many resources at our fingertips!"

I worked in that hospital for the final 17 years of my career.

Here's hoping that you find your transition from LTC/SNF to the hospital as long lived and rewarding as I did, Emily Elizabeth!