How to prepare for LTAC

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I am a new grad and my first job is at a Long Term Acute Care Hospital. I have about a week before I go in for orientation and i was just wondering if there are any skills or meds or just any suggestions of things I should brush up on before I start while I have this week off. It's been about 2 and a half months since I've been out of school. And another quick question is the packet I received was to dress business casual for orientation, does black dress slacks and button up blouse sound ok? And the only closed toe shoes I have are high heeled pointed toe boots, you can't see anything but the bottom of the boot sticking out of my pants so should they be fine?

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I just did a clinical rotation at LTAC. Brush up on your trach suctioning skills, and review tube feedings/med admin. Otherwise, your orientation will cover what you need to know. Your outfit sounds fine. Personally, I'd were flats, but if you can tolerate high heels, go for it!

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

I agree with the above poster. I worked in an LTAC for a year (loved it). The biggies are trach, J/G tubes, HD patients and complex wound care (vacs). You will have patients that are there for months.

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Congrats on your new job. I would take the other posters suggestions but you will have a good orientation. You will be surprised how acute these patients are. Sounds like you have a great attitude. Enjoy your new position.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

Having worked in an LTAC, agree with the above posters. You will learn a lot there, enjoy! Before I worked there, I was terrified of trachs/vents. Now, I volunteer to take the trachs when they come to our floor.

They will teach you what you need. Any opportunity you get to do a training class, take it. You will find you are working with patients with several complex conditions/illnesses and your critical thinking will sharpen up quickly!

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Specializes in ICU,IV Team, Endoscopy, CM, LTC, Homecar.

Also strengthen your legs, back & arms. We had to get our patients up 3xday, and walk them down the hall pulling their vents with them. I agree you will get a good orientation, also people will start eating while still on vents, or at least with their trach still in. And lots of wounds. Also swallow studies. Loved working there, just hard on the body (even with a helpful therapy dept)

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As well as getting fit, start breaking in your work shoes now.

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