ltc to hospital

[kyliebear]

first of all i don't want to start any trouble, but i do want honesty. for those of you that work at a hospital, how do nurses from ltc usually do when they first come to a hospital? are their assessment skills up to par? do they drown? do they adapt pretty well, pretty quickly? i'm thinking about trying to switch areas and trying to figure out what to expect.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work in LTC, and I know several nurses who have successfully made the transition from LTC nursing to acute care hospital nursing. They all state that becoming acclimated to the "hospital pace" took some time, but things fell into place once they established a routine. Also, they were able to hone and sharpen their assessment skills, because they were working with significantly less patients at the hospital.

[Zookeeper3]

Being a preceptor for over 10 years, I firmly believe that with enough orientation and good mentor any nurse can be trained to succeed in ANY unit as long as it's where the new nurse wants to be and they put the effort in. With a good support system, you will succeed in anything you wish to do. Don't fear not being prepared from the beginning, you won't be, thats what orientation is for. Instead ensure you will be adequately trained. Wish you well, any change is stressful, but can be very rewarding!

[Drysolong]

I've been an LPN for about 15 months now, working in LTC and 4 months in a clinical setting. I'll be starting a hospital med surg job in a week. (what I've really wanted to do) After a few months, I'll have more to say on this subject. Also, by this time next year or soon after, I hope to be an RN with much more to say on the subject.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I agree that if one has a good orientation, not necessarily a new grad orientation, but not necessary an experienced nurse orientation (which is usually 1-2 weeks), then an LTC nurse does just fine in a hospital setting.

I also think it depends on the person. Most are awesome.

It is a different mindset.

Unfortunately I've met a couple that don't get out of the mindset of just passing meds and doing treatments and forget they have to sometimes to CNA work, but always forgeting they need a good assessment and the all important critical thinking - why is this patient here, what can I do to help get them well, and what am I looking for, and what could possibly happen next?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I'm making the transition now and I have to say, it's tough. But worth it. Yes, you'll get it. No, not in a couple of weeks.

:)

[deeDawntee, RN]

I did it about 6 years ago and at that point I had done LTC, TCU, home care, a vent house (not in that order) and there is no reason that you won't be a great nurse in the hospital as well. I was a new grad in LTC and I will never forget some of those awesome nurses who nurtured me and trained me and got me through that new grad stage. Those nurses were as strong and their knowledge was as deep and wide as any nurse I have met anywhere. There are weak and strong nurses in every area of nursing. Don't EVER feel "less than" a hospital nurse because you started in LTC. If anything your assessment skills are more efficient and your organizational skills honed! When I started in the hospital I had 6 ortho patients (at night) whereas I had 60 LTC patients in the previous job! I just never was as overwhelmed as other nurses because there were just so many fewer patients to look after!!

You actually will be able to attend to each of your patients! You will have the time to do thorough assessments on each and get to know them a little. I think starting in LTC is an advantage! Go for it and be proud of where you have begun. Don't ever feel inferior about where you started your career!! Be proud and confident.

;)

[swee2000]

"Unfortunately I've met a couple that don't get out of the mindset of just passing meds and doing treatments and forget they have to sometimes to CNA work, but always forgeting they need a good assessment and the all important critical thinking - why is this patient here, what can I do to help get them well, and what am I looking for, and what could possibly happen next?"

--Your post describes exactly what I am going through right now as a preceptor of a new LPN-grad whose experiences only include clinicals and 2 months as an LPN in a LTC facility(he never worked as a CNA). I'm not sure what he was told his job responsibilities included when he interviewed for the position at the hospital, but he didn't think CNA work was part of it. It's not "just CNA work". It's all a part of nursing!! Because of his mindset, as well as the lack of experience other than med passing, it has been a frustrating 2 weeks thus far. I know with time, things will get better and he'll be successful in his role. But when people start out with that attitude and can't see outside the box, it makes for some long, frustrating 8hr shifts.