LTAC experience?

[jinx13]

Hi, all--

I'm a new grad in the Boston area, and after 4 months of looking for a job on a med/surg floor, I'm starting to think that's just not going to pan out. The only interviews I've gotten have been at nursing homes and long-term acute care facilities. I'm not opposed to working in LTC or LTAC, but I'm afraid that it won't count towards the "1-2 years of acute care experience" that every hospital job seems to require. I'm 34 (this is a second career for me) so I don't want to take the scenic route... does anyone have an idea whether the kind of experience I'd get in a LTAC environment like Spaulding (Boston) or Youville (Cambridge) would be appropriate if I want to try to get a job in acute care at MGH or Brigham & Women's in a year's time?

[jinx13]

In case anyone looks at this thread in the future for info, I just wanted to share that I spoke to a nurse recruiter at MGH and she said that a year of experience at a LTAC/rehab hospital like Youville or Spaulding would qualify for the 1-2 years experience most med/surg jobs require, but would not be adequate for a specialty/CC floor.

[hlfpnt, BSN, RN]

I did my first year in LTAC & had no problems getting a job on a med/surg unit at another facility. I now wish I would have went for the med/surg first & not the LTAC. I feel like I missed alot in my first year.

[CardioTrans, BSN, RN]

I currently work in an LTAC hospital........

Our patients vary in acuity from patients that are there primarily for wound care or vent weaning to patients who are on drips that are given in an ICU unit. I came from a critical care background to this unit....... there are MANY days that I thank my lucky stars that I have the critical care background.

I dont understand why some hospitals wouldnt count it as acute care experience, because it most definitely is.

[blueiwahine]

I work in a LTACH hospital...definitely don't see why the experience wouldn't count...the only difference to me is that it does seem a little slower paced than the hospital, but have had pts with acuities the same as in the hospital...it's not just pain meds and wound care there...have pts on vents, etc.