New Grad FNP starting in SNF and LTAC

[Nurse008]

I am a new grad FNP and I have s job offer to work in SNF, LTAC, Assisted Living and after training I will have to to work in acute care as well. I am expected to see at least 3 pt's per hour. As a new grad if you have started in this type of setting please share your experience. Thank you in advance.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

"At least three patients an hour" in the skilled setting is really pushing, even for someone experienced. Sure, there will be days when you will breeze through three patients, but in the skilled setting you could have one patient take up 1-2 hours if they are on the edge and the facility is trying not to bounce them back to the hospital because everyone will lose reimbursements if they get readmitted!

LTC is generally easier, with more stable patients. Once you get to know them you can get through that patient population a lot quicker, because they are generally a lot more stable. But even in this environment, it only takes one patient to go bad on you are you are going to miss your target numbers.

Generally, 10-12 patients a day in a mixed care facility is reasonable although you will still get caught in meetings with families, social workers, unit nurses and nursing assistants who are all fighting for your attention - not to mention all the paperwork and signing off of documents that consume a vast amount of time in SNF/LTC facilities. Even if you could see three patient an hour, when are you going to document all these visits?

Not trying to put you off the job, but I think it's important that you understand what you are getting in to and three patients an hour is unreasonable in this environment.

[Nurse008]

[h=1]TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN [/h]Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Yes that is what I am afraid of the lack time for documenting.