Having worked in a long term/short-term rehab facility combination for a year now, I have to say that in comparison to other areas of nursing, it's pretty lame.
Yes, we work hard. We have 20 or more patients on our own who require medications. Sometimes they'll have tube feedings, ostomies, JP drains, etc. There are many wounds, blood sugars, bladder scans and emergent situations aren't as rare as you would think. No one is denying people at these facilities work hard.
At the same time, when looking at other areas of nursing, including ICU and ER, it's safe to say we don't really do as much for these patients as these incredible nurses do. For example, I am highly impressed with a cardiovascular surgical ICU in my town, one of the best in the nation. These nurses see and do EVERYTHING. Skills include Skills include TPM, PPM, Chest reopening, chest tubes, trach, PEG, JP, NG/OG, pigtail cat, extubation, sedation, CT/MRI, Bronchoscopy, line placement, cortrac, IR, specimen collection, medications including inotrops, vasoactive, blood administration, insulin, heparin, CPN/lipids, paraltyics, and lines such as arterial lines, Cordis/STCVC, pAC, TDC, TPM wires, PICC, non-VAT blood draws, CRRT, Flexiseal, and pumps including PCA, Medication and Tube Feeding. They have LVADs, ECMO machines and take care of ALL ages from the newborn to the elderly. The MICU is also quite an impressive area, as are all the other ICUS. Plus, you can't beat the top notch nurses in the ER.
Sorry everyone but it's true...there's a reason why long term care nurses/rehab nurses are paid less than others.
