Help, Trying to transition from Home Health to a facility

[mountainview210]

Hello, I'm a new nurse but within a few weeks I'll have my year with my LVN license. I've been working in home health all this time with a few agencies.

I was thinking of transitioning to either a long term (convalescent) or some type of facility that are still hiring LVN's because its stable work compared to home health. In home health sometimes the client or parents change hours which may not be so bad but some may change actual home health companies which is a problem because unless that home health hires you then you have to look for another job/client etc which may takes weeks for a case to open up etc. I'm with 4 agencies for this reason so I can take a case I feel comfortable with as they come in

My question for LVN"s who has worked at long term and other facilities is what will I be expecting and what skills do you think I should brush up on for this new career? I know it's different than home health, my skills are limited to home health which are with trach patients, such as trach care, suctioning. I'm certified in mechanical ventilation. I also have experience with respiratory treatments, ostomy care, g-tube care and feedings. I don't have catheter experience which I need to look over the procedures again.

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Thanks in advance

[amoLucia]

RN here but with LOTS of LTC experience. In LTC, floor nurses, be they RNS or LVNS pretty much do the same care/tasks. You have quite a bit of mucho desirable technical skills which will be in high demand. And that will help you tremendously.

If you're talking about urinary foley cath (and suprapubic) care, relax. Easy, peasey - you'll do fine. I think all LTC places do IV therapy nowadays, and SOMEplaces require phlebotomy by staff.

You will have new rules & regs, documentation requirements and med administration is done for a large population.

But personally, I think the biggest difference will be the increased interaction (and reliance) on other staff. There's LAYERS of people - staff before your shift, staff after your shift, and staff on your shift too. There'll be more constant exposure to supervisory/administrative nursing staff, Social Service, Activities, PT/OT/SLP, MDS, Staff Development, physicians, housekeeping, dietary, maint, visitors and families (in varying quantity & quality).

And besides working with peer nurses, you will work closely with CNAs which may or may not include supervision of the care they provide. Your CNAs can be your greatest asset - value them.

And just to be on the safe side, just make sure you have your own malpractice insurance. Think about it as protecting yourself JUST IN CASE.

There's lots of entries in LTC forum (and other fora) that describe things you might read about, like charting, MED PASS, physician interax, State surveys, incident reports, falls prevention, etc. Good source of info.

Good luck for you future change and welcome to LTC.