Getting Back into Hospital Nursing after years in LTC

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I would like to go back into hospital nursing(L&D,Med-Surg) after working years in LTC. I last worked in a hospital back in 1994. I'm worried my skills may be out of date/inadequate. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Perhaps a refresher course will help you polish up some of those lost skills.

Are hospitals in your area still hiring LPNs? I've observed that many of the people who post here complain of LPNs being phased out of their local hospitals in favor of an all-RN staff.

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At one of the local hospitals I found several listings for hiring LPN's...the other had only one opening...there are lot's of openings for MA & CNA's at our 2 local hospitals.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

Bone up on your lab values, what the ranges are, and panic values.

Get a book on current diagnostic procedures.

Review your IV and lab draw skills.

Get you a "cheat sheet" for report & give report to others in an orderly fashion: Dx, Tests pending, Accuchecks, Neuro, heart, vascular, pulmonary, IV, GI, B&B, I&0, etc.

:typing:nurse::D

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Specializes in Oncology/Research, Hemodialysis.

I would strongly suggest the Med-Surg floor, because you would probably get a better and more sound base for coming back to a hospital. Good luck with any decision you make!

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