New grad LTAC job

Specialties LTAC

Published

Hello all, I accepted a position at a Kindred LTAC in MA. I was looking in the other forums and came across some posts suggesting a new grad stay away from LTACs. I would appreciate any information or advice anyone has to share. I haven't been able to find a specific LTAC forum. I would love to hear from anyone with LTAC experience.

Specializes in Operating Room, LTAC.

LTAC now has its' own forum! It was added today. Yay :-D

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Specializes in LTC, camp nursing, LTAC (new to this).

I go to first day of orientation on Tuesday and I will update with how long the orientation is scheduled to last. I think it is 12 weeks. I am so glad this forum was added!

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Specializes in Operating Room, LTAC.
I go to first day of orientation on Tuesday and I will update with how long the orientation is scheduled to last. I think it is 12 weeks. I am so glad this forum was added!

Good Luck!

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Specializes in LTC, camp nursing, LTAC (new to this).

Okay, so at 830 in the morning I start my first day or orientation. My bag is packed, stethoscope, lunch, snack, water bottle, chapstick, nursing credentials, pens, scissors, highlighters and lifesavers.....I feel like I just packed to go away to summer camp. Now I am too excited/nervous to sleep. Bag repacked, different scrubs laid out, double check that socks still match.....OMG, I am supposed to wear scrubs to the orientation aren't I? They never said dress casually for the first part of orientation so I am going in a solid color scrub set.

I did a test drive in traffice to see how long the commute would be and even found a safe and clean place for a midway bathroom stop if necessary. I believe I am ready to do this, now if I could only fall asleep!! I will update tomorrow when I have the details on the length of my orientation.

Thanks everyone for all the information and wishes for success!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

In an LTAC/LATCH(Long Term Acute Care Hospital)...organization is key. You will learn a TON. Does the LTAC where you work have the ICU? LTAC's are full of very acute patients, all the medically complex/complicated course/unusual illness patient are collected under one roof. Staffing can be an issue......take what they are going to offer you and learn.

You will learn a TON and Kindred is willing to teach. Organization is key.

Here are some brain sheets.

brain sheets.......here are a few.

doc.gif ntp medsurg.doc doc.gif 1 patient float.doc‎

doc.gif 5 pt. shift.doc‎

doc.gif finalgraduateshiftreport.doc‎

doc.gif horshiftsheet.doc‎

doc.gif report sheet.doc‎

doc.gif day sheet 2 doc.doc

‎critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students

student clinical report sheet for one patient

I have made some for nursing students and some other an members (Daytonite) have made these for others.....adapt them way you want. I hope they help

GOOD LUCK!!!!

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Specializes in Operating Room, LTAC.

That's sooo exciting! I'm excited for you!

I'm also excited for myself even though I have an entire month to go. I also have to take a preemployment med exam...:uhoh21: uh-oh, i pray that I do well. I have no idea what to expect....

How did it go RN1822?! How long is your commute?

Hope everything went well!

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Specializes in LTC, camp nursing, LTAC (new to this).

Well, two days of orientation down and 12 weeks to go. All is going very smooth so far. Everyone has been very helpful, i will find out who my preceptor is tomorrow and will meet with them. They told me that orientation was between 4 or 12 weeks depending on how much i felt i neede. The Education Nurse shared that it was absolutely fine to take the whole 12 and to even request more if you felt uncomfortable.

I was surprised to learn that I am now in a union. I have zero union exposure or experience so I will be gathering information about that, I reviewed that contract and it looks pretty straightforward.

I did not have to take a pre employment med exam but i will be taking one in orientation. My commute is about an hour but, i don't mind a commute. I like a little transition time between work and home.

Thank you so much Asst admin for all the information!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

My name is Esme......I wish you the best. What do you need to know about the union?

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Specializes in LTC, camp nursing, LTAC (new to this).

Thanks Esme,

I am not sure what I need to know. I have zero union experience or exposure. I got a copy of the contract and it doesn't look like I have to do anything. I was worried that I would recieve a bill from the the union people but HR let me know that i can have my dues taken out of my check weekly and the amount doesn't seem to be very much. It looks like we get an extra 6 days of vacation and free CEU's from the Massachusetts Nursing Association (the union we are in). I will be meeting with the union rep on my shift on Monday just to say hello.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Know your contract. Ask your rep and if they aren't clear....call the MNA. All contracts are different. Your dues will start after your probationary period. Check your pension benefits, long and short term benefits. What is your salary/raise step percentage. Do They allow canceling and floating. What is your staffing grievance procedure (important)?

Which Kindred is Union......interesting.

I was super at the North Shore.....they were not union then (it would have helped). Some contracts has rules against canceling, floating and holidays, floating period, cancellation times IF they allow cancelling at all. They usually have strict staffing guidelines. I like the MNA....although I was a manager and not a member....I have a few good friends there....

Know that contract for grievance, staffing, canceling, benefits, discipline, and attendance.....for the administrators will use it as well.

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Specializes in LTC, camp nursing, LTAC (new to this).

It is the Springfield location. I am writing all of these things down to go over them with my rep. Thank you so much for all this information I really appreciate it more than you can imagine.

One thing I thought was strange, There were about 10 of us in general orientation from all different disciplines (3 RN's) and they kept telling us they would let us know what out orientation schedule would be. They kept putting it off and the CNA's left on Thursday still not knowing their schedules. I stalked the scheduler down to get mine but she had to call the nurse manager to get more info and I left still not knowing when I work or when to come back. She said she would let me know Monday but, I just found it a little strange.

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Hey everyone i have been reading all the post here and I found it very helpful. I got a job at LTACh and im about to begin my orientation 2 weeks from now. I feel like unprepared of what to expect working on the floor:/ this is my first job by the way.Can anybody give me tips? Im kinda nervous but excited on the other hand. Does anybody feel the same way i felt? Oh gush. :/

Im glad someone have put up some medsurge sheets at least i could get an idea.

Im glad that this site is available for tips and support for folks like me.

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