Need advice

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Hello. I have been a newly licensed RN since April. September, I got a per diem job at a local NH that has a good reputation. Everyone was nice. I eventually did per diem work to their other site. They have been keeping me busy. The DON even mentioned a possible FT position in the future. I now have an interview with a local Rehab Hospital. I went to a career Fair and submitted my résumé. They liked the fact that I have worked in Rehab before in therapy. Now, I do not know what to do if they offer the job? I like what I am doing right now but feel that my skills are suffering with LTR/SNF. I am leaning towards accepting it. What should I di?

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Hello, it's me again. Just wanted to add, they have an opening for a wound nurse. The DON called me personally to tell me about the opening. What do they do? Is this a good position to have? Thanks.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

Wound nurses are awesome! I'd kill to have that job, but that's me. If you don't mind seeing wounds then go for it, but it can be pretty gory. A wound nurse makes rounds on all pts with wounds usually on a weekly basis. Assess each wound and make changes to the care plan and treatment based on the assessment. Usually the floor nurses love wound days because the wound nurse does the treatments and changes the dressings, makes the notes in the charts and tells floor nurse what to do for the rest of the week.

If you feel stifled in LTC and feel your skills are suffering (which they are) they go for the wound position! Your skills will escalate!

Peace

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I have worked in a Rehab hospital. The patients have to be stable enough not to need IVs, or a lot of treatments in order to do PT/OT. I work in a NH full time and I feel that my skills are being utilized. Those skills being communication, assessment, and time management. You can always relearn how to insert a catheter or start an IV. The other skills are what is important no matter where you work.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Really namaste? Your wound skills might improve but the rest of your skills won't. If you work in a skilled building which has a short term floor, the only skill you won't use is ventilator care.

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I don't mean this offensively at all - but when you're a new grad/new nurse, you really don't have any skills *to* lose in LTC/SNF.

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