Nursing Home to Hospital

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Long Term Facilitly.

I have just accepted employment at our local hospital. I have been a nurse for seven years all in which I have spent in nursing homes/rehabs.

I am feeling a bit anxious and hoping I have made the correct decision. I feel I am a good nurse, but my skills are poor related to nursing home experiences doesn't give many opportunities to start IV and there are many procedures I am not familiar with. I feel this is the best thing I can do for my career. I will be working 6p to 6a weekend op on the med surg unit. Has anyone had this transition and if so will you share your experience with me? The pay is good too, which I was shocked.

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Work on your computer skills...that seemed to be the biggest obstacle for some nurses we hired from LTC facilites. They had their assessments/meds down ok - but the computer really was the challenge. OF course depending on where you will work it can be very fast paced - MDs in/patients going for tests/admissions/discharges - using your time mgt skills will help too....

Good Luck!!! :nurse::twocents:

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Hey, don't feel alone. I have been a nurse over 20 years.... all LTC and start at my local hospital next Monday. I am scared to death and jumping out of my skin with excitment. (kinda bipolar on the whole thing, ya think?)

Anyways, during interviews I really promoted the skills I believe to be valuable assests to any company. To survive in LTC you must have great time management skills, you must be an independent thinker because there is not a bunch of support staff around, which leads to some pretty good assessment skills too.

There's going to be a bunch of stuff we may not be familiar with, but hey, what is orientation for. If they really expected me to know it all they wouldn't offer me 6-8 weeks orientation time, right?

My advice (for myself as well as you)... put on a brave front, have some self confidence in the skills that we do have and don't be afraid to admit what you don't know.

Good luck to both of us.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must go check out the ortho forum so I can start learning.

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