LTC to Med-surg-can I expect any relief??

BookwormRN · Jul 4, 2008

Well, I think that is a difficult question to answer. We have fewer patients to care for on a med/surg floor (per RN) than you do in LTC. However, that is due to the higher acuity of the pts. I am on my feet for most of the 8 hour shift.

Usually I am sitting only to call a doc, or if I am lucky, check my MARs for the next day. I feel lucky if I get a supper break (Although lately, I have been taking supper no matter what-I perform my job better if I've fed myself).....

We have call lights going off, surgical vitals to do, bed exit alarms going off, giving blood, neuro checks, CMS checks, med passes, chems, dressing changes, just to name a few things....it can be extremely stressful! Add to that a pt who is having difficulty breathing or chest pain and your night is in the toilet! Oh, and add in the discharges and admissions.

I think it is like comparing apples and oranges.....

ktwlpn, LPN · Jul 4, 2008

I know both jobs are very very challenging in different ways. I am just hoping that physically I will not feel so run down.. In my current position, I run all day, except perhaps for around forty-five minutes to any hour while I chart and give report at the end of shift. I am up and down those halls non-stop, med passes in the am can take up to 5 hours, not to mention the other eight hours worth of work I am expected to fit in to my remaining 3 hours. I hope it will get easier when I go to a hospital, so can I expect any relief going from LTC/rehab to med-surg?

NO

Seriously-no....And if you work in the typical hospital that is budget conscious and always cutting corners,short staffing,calling off staff when census drops for 10mins but still pushes "customer service" you'll run yourself ragged every day with the added pressure that you are caring for younger people that can have quality of life upon recovery or are dying and can't be helped and leaving young children,spouses....In LTC we have the stress of caring for hopelessly ill people that have lived full lives and are often ready to die but their families won't let them... I don't know what to tell you-except I think you have to find your niche-If you can find a job that lets you work with a great bunch of co-workers , medical staff and admin. that you can really respect then you'll be happy there and have the energy to give your all no matter what setting you are in.I think that is the key.......good luck

ann945n, RN · Jul 4, 2008

I would say LTC in most situations would be easier in the long run because you have the same patients (mostly) all the time and you get to know when they like their meds and how they like them and when and how they like other treatments. Once you get to know this I found my med pass went by like a breeze (relatively speaking). In med-surg its a new bunch all the time.

MelodyRNurse · Jul 4, 2008

I would say LTC in most situations would be easier in the long run because you have the same patients (mostly) all the time and you get to know when they like their meds and how they like them and when and how they like other treatments. Once you get to know this I found my med pass went by like a breeze (relatively speaking). In med-surg its a new bunch all the time.

I don't want a job that is "easier". I want to be challenged and I want to learn more. I just don't want to feel like I've have been run through a meat grinder when I get home and I do not want to pass out medications for 85% of my shift... I would rather spend more time with less patients than to have 30 patients and start panicking if I have to spend more than five minutes in a room.

ann945n, RN · Jul 4, 2008

I don't want a job that is "easier". I want to be challenged and I want to learn more. I just don't want to feel like I've have been run through a meat grinder when I get home and I do not want to pass out medications for 85% of my shift... I would rather spend more time with less patients than to have 30 patients and start panicking if I have to spend more than five minutes in a room.

okay my mistake then

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

If you want to be challenged and what to learn something new everyday then med/surg is the place for you. Best of Luck.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 4, 2008

Med surg should be less patients, but there are many orders to pick up, sicker patients and there is still a great deal of running around. I will be starting to work per diem in med-surg beginning next weekend, and I noticed during my orientation that I ran around. LPNs in my unit are primarily administering medications (others work differently) and we have about 12 patients for med-pass. It still takes a bit of time, but usually, we are finished passing in about 2 hours, but it is hanging alot of IVs, checking orders every few minutes (especially on day tour), running to the pharmacy, and then, when that is finished, there are still the fingersticks and insulin coverage. IV monitors going off, many patients leaving the floor for diagnostic tests and whatever else. It is not always predictable, but I think I can handle it. I'm sure you can as well, and it is true, you will learn more. Not sure, but I think that your LTC skills should follow you, because you handled more patients, and did dressings, checked labs, and so forth. Good luck!