Med surg to acute rehab

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Hi, I’ve been a med-surg nurse for 12 years now. The work is hard and as I get older only will only get harder. What makes it worse is my manager. She shows a lot of favoritism and also takes about people behind there back. I have no respect for her. I’m considering applying for our acute rehab department. I like the fact that I will get to know the patients but realize it could be physically harder on me. I’m pushing 50 yrs old. Anyone have any advice?

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I don't have first-hand experience, but the last hospital I worked for had an acute rehab facility on the campus. The nurses and CNAs I know that work there liked it a lot compared with acute. They did, however, complain about the physical stress of the job.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.

Hi,

I'm over 50 and the physical stressors I've had in med/surg have been more than in any rehab I worked in, (including my time as a CNA too.) In Rehab there are enforced safety measures for lifting generally because the fall risk is high. There are also physical therapy and occupational therapy in place to work with the patients.

Jen

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

I know of RNs who are older that have no problems working in Acute Rehab because of what Gennaver points out about enforcing the use of equipment. Plus, there is training on how to transfer patients properly that keeps staff and patients safe.

Speaking of transitioning, I know a nurse who worked in Med-Surg for 20 years (no joke) and transferred to an acute rehab floor within the same hospital and never looked back. The nurse put in another 20 years as an Acute Rehabilitation RN before semi-retiring. Now the nurse continues to work per diem for the same floor. Good luck.

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