LTAC ? Good or Bad?

[krstxn]

I am a new grad and was offered a job in LTAC for $30/Hr with a 6:1 nurse pt ratio (no vents-they are in our ICU). As a new grad I am having a hard time finding a job and it's this or LTC ... Do hospitals frown on this sort of experience? Also, how does this job compare to a med/surge position in the hospital? I know what type of patients we have and they have a lot of issues AND I know I will be very busy. Is there anything in particular I should prepare for? How is job satisfaction in this specialty? I am excited, but nervous at the same time.

[grandmawrinkle]

I'm an ICU nurse. I've never worked in a LTACH but my two cents is this:

The patients we send to LTACHs are the ones we can't get better in a finite amount of time and we need to get them out of our ICU to free up beds. These patients are too sick for the ward or even the stepdown -- most of the ones we send won't wean from the ventilator, and we don't have progressive care or vent weaning beds at my facility. They are also otherwise medically complex with other issues to monitor/treat.

I personally think that this would be excellent experience for a new grad that wants to get into an acute care hospital eventually -- really, it's the next best thing. I think most of your patients will be higher acuity than med/surg patients in the hospital, actually. You'll be getting patients that are somewhere between the ICU and the regular floor as far as level of care required. I think from there, you'd walk right into a med/surg floor and think it was easy, and if you'll be trained into vents, it would be a fairly easy transition into a hospital ICU as well.

I think this is a good move for you, and would take it. You are going to be tired and overworked, but hopefully it will pay off with a hospital position for you after a period of time. Good luck!

[Flying ICU RN]

Posts #10 and #12 are particularly valuable in the advice given, I concur.

As for rate of progression beyond initial hire to say,... ICU, my first year of Nursing was in fact LTC not LTAC. My professional background prior to Nursing piqued management's interest, and the interview sealed it. That was 17 years ago.

Your career progression as a Nurse (in my opinion) is entirely in your own hands. The current downturn is not sustainable.

[daves]

Forgot to repoint out the most important parts that I intimated in another post: Make nice with your Resp Techs and CNAs. Not only do they know more about their fields then you ever will, they will sooner than later Save Your Ass; reference keeping small fires small before they blow up in your face.:)

[zia238]

Thanks for all of the advice!!