Nervous/taking a leap from Sub acute/ltc to acute care

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Specializes in RN/Hematology/Oncology/Long-termcare/SNF.

Hello fellow nurses.

I have been a travel nurse for a little over a year, mostly in LTC and sub acute care facilities.

I want and need to acquire more skills so that I can travel out of state to the hospital setting.

I will start out with two evening shifts per week to get my feet wet. I am a bit nervous about caring for patients just out of ICU, vented, central lines, wound vac ect. I have had some experience with all but the vents.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks!

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My hospital hired several LTC nurses this past year. All but one seemed to transition quickly and will minimal trouble.

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Specializes in RN/Hematology/Oncology/Long-termcare/SNF.

Great to hear this! I hope I am one of the fortunate ones to transition quickly. Any advice on what I should be googling to prepare me for wounds and IVs?

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Great to hear this! I hope I am one of the fortunate ones to transition quickly. Any advice on what I should be googling to prepare me for wounds and IVs?

You'll typically have wound care orders that specify the types of products and techniques you'll use. IV pumps and tubing will vary by facility. If you're unsure about something or have never done it before, ask another nurse to come along and "supervise". I still do this on occasion after six years. There's no shame in it as long as you're learning as you go along.

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