Interviewing for LTC- soon to be grad w/ ?'s (wound care)

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Specializes in LTC.

I graduate in August :smokin:and I have sent out one resume. On this resume I stated that I wanted to focus on wound care, ulcers, gtube care, etc. Basically a wound care nurse. I don't want to be doing meds. I want to focus on the things that the other nurses dont have time for OR make time for. Please DO NOT think it is b/c I am being lazy or that I dont want to clean up poo. Its not that, I see a need that should be addressed and I want to "fix" it.

The DON for that center called me and she is thrilled:D. They do not have anyone with that type of position and I guess I could say it shows. (I did clinicals there).

So, I am wondering if anyone can give me some pointers for interviewing:confused:. Is there something I should look for, say, do, not do, question.... you know the drill. I think I can nail this position and I really do think I would be perfect for it. I have a strong stomach and love facing a challenge head on. I just tend to jump in to things feet first and dont really look at or think about other things. I dont want to mess up and I really DO want to make a difference for these people I would be caring for. :nurse:

Thanks a TON!!!!:redbeathe

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Specializes in med/surg- sub-acute, LTC,ICU,.

are you wound care certified?

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"I want to focus on the things that the other nurses dont have time for OR make time for."

Maybe I'm reading you wrong here but you're sounding arrogant to me. I think it would do you some good to work as a med nurse to get some experience first. That way you would have a better idea of the challenges that are faced by the med nurse when they have to pass meds to 30 patients, do wound care, cover the dining room for meals, ect. Perhaps with that experience you would be able to implement real change.

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Specializes in Long term care.

You don't have to be wound care certified to do wound care where I work. I do wound care every other weekend and work a med cart during the week and I love doing both!

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Specializes in med/surg- sub-acute, LTC,ICU,.

I think what OP is trying to say is that during her rotations she noticed wound care was "a bit lacking" I don't think she was being arrogant. I am sure that most of us can say that we have seen some horror stories when it comes to wound care, or the lack thereof in some facilities.

I agree you do not need to be wound care certified, but as a new nurse it would give her a better understanding of the job and it would definitely be a selling point in order to get that kind of job.

Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC.

WOW... if you thought I was being arrogant, you are wrong. I have helped the med nurses and I have seen both that dont have the time or want to make the time. I put the OR as an afterthought. I have seen med nurses so worried about passing meds to stay within compliance that when they are faced with a wound/gtube, they have to hurry, hurry, hurry. It isnt fair to them. They shouldnt have to squeeze in a patient between meds. They should be able to have the confidence that there is someone that will take care of it for them.

Why is that being arrogant? I thought it was more like I am helping them which is what I want to do...

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

With the cuts in re-imbursments and the already lean budgets in many LTC-especially in "for profit" facilities most don't have nurses floating through the shift pitching in to do wound care. My facility has a really low number of pressure ulcers-nothing to justify paying for a certified wound care nurse. Our ADON became certifiied on her dime and is our resource. Many facilities will send residents out to a wound care clinic if they are dealing with a really problematic ulcer. Local G-tube care is part of routine care and performed by the cna's in my facility.We have 250 beds and probably less then 4 tube feeds-if that many. We measure every wound weekly and update the care plan.we have a book on each unit for the tool we use and complete that form also weekly and write a nurse's note (pressure ulcers,skin tears and surgical wounds and have good policies in place with standards of care for everything. I am on a 44 bed unit-I think I have 5 skin tears to measure tomorrow ( 3 are on ONE gal) Nothing else at this time. We have admitted 3 or 4 residents with wound vacs-the company sends out nurses to educate the staff in their use. In your interview you'll want to clarify exactly what your duties will be-get it IN WRITING . Places will promise you the sun,moon and stars in an interview and then when you show up you could find your self floating as a regular staff nurse. If she seriously wants a "wound nurse" you'll want to ask her what is her precentage of pressure ulcers at this time? What will your position entail as far as documentation-Will you make recommendations to the floor nurse to call the doc or will you be calling the docs yourself? You'll want to do some self study now about skin care in that population. Most LTC's only fully bathe residents one or a few times a week because the dependent folks get hands,face,peri care so often and full immersion baths are just not usually needed so often. We do use lots of emollients,lots of skin sleeves for really fragile folks who are prone to skin tears. Will you take part in educating the staff ? Do they have an OT dept. you can consult for assistive devices for proper postioning? Do they have any skin and wound care policies in place now? What types of products are they using now for routine skin care? Will you be doing this full time or be expected to work shifts as a staff nurse on the floor in addition to this position? Will they re-imburse you for wound certification training if you desire it? If this is going to be a newly created position that she is not going to open up to in-house staff first don't expect lots of warm fuzzy feelings from the floor staff initially. .Being a new nurse I really think working on the floor for awhile would be good for you-first to get an idead of the hcallenges faced and to learn about the population.Thats all I can think of right now-hope I helped...

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Specializes in LTC.
With the cuts in re-imbursments and the already lean budgets in many LTC-especially in "for profit" facilities most don't have nurses floating through the shift pitching in to do wound care. My facility has a really low number of pressure ulcers-nothing to justify paying for a certified wound care nurse. Our ADON became certifiied on her dime and is our resource. Many facilities will send residents out to a wound care clinic if they are dealing with a really problematic ulcer. Local G-tube care is part of routine care and performed by the cna's in my facility.We have 250 beds and probably less then 4 tube feeds-if that many. We measure every wound weekly and update the care plan.we have a book on each unit for the tool we use and complete that form also weekly and write a nurse's note (pressure ulcers,skin tears and surgical wounds and have good policies in place with standards of care for everything. I am on a 44 bed unit-I think I have 5 skin tears to measure tomorrow ( 3 are on ONE gal) Nothing else at this time. We have admitted 3 or 4 residents with wound vacs-the company sends out nurses to educate the staff in their use. In your interview you'll want to clarify exactly what your duties will be-get it IN WRITING . Places will promise you the sun,moon and stars in an interview and then when you show up you could find your self floating as a regular staff nurse. If she seriously wants a "wound nurse" you'll want to ask her what is her precentage of pressure ulcers at this time? What will your position entail as far as documentation-Will you make recommendations to the floor nurse to call the doc or will you be calling the docs yourself? You'll want to do some self study now about skin care in that population. Most LTC's only fully bathe residents one or a few times a week because the dependent folks get hands,face,peri care so often and full immersion baths are just not usually needed so often. We do use lots of emollients,lots of skin sleeves for really fragile folks who are prone to skin tears. Will you take part in educating the staff ? Do they have an OT dept. you can consult for assistive devices for proper postioning? Do they have any skin and wound care policies in place now? What types of products are they using now for routine skin care? Will you be doing this full time or be expected to work shifts as a staff nurse on the floor in addition to this position? Will they re-imburse you for wound certification training if you desire it? If this is going to be a newly created position that she is not going to open up to in-house staff first don't expect lots of warm fuzzy feelings from the floor staff initially. .Being a new nurse I really think working on the floor for awhile would be good for you-first to get an idead of the hcallenges faced and to learn about the population.Thats all I can think of right now-hope I helped...

Thank you so much for your insight. Sounds like an up and up ship that you are a part of. Thank you!!!

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Ok, sorry then. Good luck in your quest.

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Specializes in LTC.
Ok, sorry then. Good luck in your quest.

Thanks Buzkil!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Not to discourage you but not too many places would hire a new grad to be a wound nurse. Budgets are tight and most nurses must multi task to get the job done.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I have seen LTC facilities near me that have a nurse doing that type of position, they are called treatment nurses but usually they require general nursing experience and wound certification. I wouldn't recommend doing this right out of school with no experience to back you up.

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