I feel like I'm going nowhere

beekee · Oct 16, 2019

Try applying to med surg jobs. Once you are in and are a know quantity, it’s easier to move into a specialty.

adventure_rn, MSN, NP · Oct 18, 2019

On 10/16/2019 at 1:10 PM, beekee said:
Try applying to med surg jobs. Once you are in and are a know quantity, it’s easier to move into a specialty.

Strongly agree. If you're primarily applying to women's/maternal/newborn jobs at this healthcare system, your LATCH experience won't be terribly helpful. However, it should make you a stronger candidate in adult units, as they have some overlap with LATCH. Once you gain acute care experience, it will be easier to transfer into the specialty units. You may not like med-surg any more than you like LATCH, and it's probably the 'long way around' to your end goal, but it's probably your best bet.

If you're able to move, you may be able to achieve your goal faster if you cast a wide net and apply to a bunch of places. You could also become a doula in your spare time to help strengthen your L&D applications.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

I’m curious how you’re selling your LTACH experience; it is absolutely acute care (hence the “A”). ?

I feel like it’s also very misunderstood... .actually I didn’t know what it actually is at all, until I applied for a position and needed to learn about the facility prior to my interview. I had heard of one of the LTACHs in my area, but thought it was like subacute rehab.

In reality, the LTACH pts I cared for are more acute than most of the step down pts at my level 1 trauma center, and BY FAR more acute than med-surg pts. They were vented (working on weaning — not home vents) they were on tele, sometimes on drips, receiving blood transfusions... suffering the effects of long-term critical illness..... I could go on and on. Come to think about it, I don’t think mine even hired new grads.

These are people who a few decades ago would never have survived their illness/injury.

My LTACH experience got me back into ICU nursing after years of subacute.

L&D and NICU are notoriously difficult to get into.... but I would really evaluate how you can use your experience to more of an advantage, vs wonder if it’s holding you back.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2019

OP:

After 49 applications for one facility it is very unlikely you will get a job with that company. It appears that you are likely on a "do not hire" list. Start looking at other facilities. How are you expressing your experience? You will want to put all of your experience into a positive spin, talk it up how you are able to manage multiple patients, dressing changes, medication administration. DO NOT mention that you do not like LTACH or want out. Mention that you are interested in a career direction change and think about how your skills you have learned will match up with the new skills you will learn.

Stop applying to where you have applied 49 times. Look for another company not associated with them. Don't ever talk bad about another facility, or how awful something may be, those are things that can sink any interview.

Dean Uguan · Oct 18, 2019

10 hours ago, Here.I.Stand said:
I’m curious how you’re selling your LTACH experience; it is absolutely acute care (hence the “A”). ? ...
In reality, the LTACH pts I cared for are more acute than most of the step down pts at my level 1 trauma center, and BY FAR more acute than med-surg pts. ...

Agreed. I've worked agency CNA shifts at different LTACH facilities. I was constantly amazed how the nurses handled the demanding load of the most most complex patient population imaginable.

I've always imagined myself working as a new grad in an emergency department, but the challenge of working LTACH seems like an adrenaline rush unmatched. And at the facilities I've worked, the teamwork and camaraderie was unmatched.