Going from LTC to rehab with 5 months experience. Is it an easy transition?

lindseylpn · Oct 14, 2015

When I worked in LTC it was a rehab too and had a skilled unit. We switched back and forth on a regular basis. For me the skilled unit was easier just because, we had less patients. Well, I guess not easier per se but, less time consuming. The patients were more unstable, we had trachs, pelvic and spinal halos, lots of treatments, IV antibiotics and tube feedings etc. Busy all night and stressful because ,of more unstable patients but, I felt like there was more time to get things done. The LTC unit on the other hand revolved more around massive med passes with the treatments etc fit in when possible. We had about 25 patients skilled unit and 55 patients non skilled.

lindseylpn · Oct 14, 2015

This was my first job too. They started me out on the skilled unit for several months before, transitioning me to non skilled.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2015

The skilled rehab section of LTC facilities usually has short-term patients who are slightly higher acuity than the ones you'd find on the long term section.

Learning new procedural skills, doing proper Medicare charting and picking up the pace are going to be challenging for a newer nurse who transitions from LTC to rehab.

Alongroadtorn · Oct 14, 2015

Wow, 55 and 25 those are big numbers. I had 32-35 LTC and I guess the rehabs about 17.

So just learning the new ppl, new meds, the pass won't go too smooth because of not yet being familiar with each persons meds and treatments? That what I'm thinking. I could probably rattle off almost every pill and dosage I hand out now to 34 PPl. I know their routines where they are at what time who eats in dining who's stays in room and how they take their meds. Just with this knowledge it make things flow better. IMH, everything new makes it difficult to pass meds on time when first getting to know ppl. Any tips?

RNJenn47201 · Oct 14, 2015

I've been a LTC nurse for about 5 years now. When switching between floors I've always asked the nurse giving me report to tell me how everyone takes their meds. Knowing that bit alone makes the med pass go smoother.

NurseRzzle · May 30, 2016

I am a LPN for about 3yrs currently working in SNF/LTC. Skilled unit has the more unstable patients compared to long term. However skilled is perfect learning opportunity for new nurses to build their skills if that's IF you have a strong unit manager. If Learning the basic stuff from what you did in school is what you want then long term is your place.

If your searching jobs at a SNF look at the acuity of their patients because each place is different. Plus how big and their tags as well. My rule if they hire you the same day you apply it is not the place you want to be in just keep a watchful eye. Have been in health care for about 10 years now each place that hires me the same day they usually have state there quite often so much that your survey window just gets bigger each year. Keep a big eye and good luck to you.