Nursing home

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Hi everyone,

I received my RN license in August 2011 and now I am looking for RN position in nursing home.

I would like to work in sub-acute unit. I am wondering if any of you can give me some advice

regarding this job, for example job description, documentation an so forth?

Thanks in advance!

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my firsr job was nursing home, sub acute care, trach and peg pts, total of 20 for one RN at night, 3 cna, one or two RT to help with vent setings. A LOT of wound care, u will see it all, lots of paper work, almost everybody on 24hours report, because those pt will be on antobiotics for the rest of the life. uti, pneumonia, wound infection. u will transfer them to the hospital in middle of the night, and get the back 2 weeks later. its very depressinf job, because almost none of your pt will get better. but u will be great with trach care, not afraid of the vents. no so much of family at night. but u by yourself all night long. be good to your cna, they will help you to care for those pt.

my second job was sub acute rehab, pt post CABG, ORIF. everybody is alert, calling for pain killers. but u will make a differents, u will discharge pt home, not to another hospital. stressful job, a lot of admissions everyday, a lot pain seeking, then constipation treating pt. lots of bloodwork, because everybody on coumadin. u will love it. glad if its helpful.

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Specializes in LTC, OB/GYN, Primary Care.

My experience with sub acute or rehab floors in LTC is pretty much the same as a normal nursing home floor except residents are usually OA, NEEDY, wanting pain meds Q4 as soon as they are due, on that call light every 5 sec, some are very cmpliant and want to get home asap, some are wanting to be waited on hand and foot and not go to therapy or do things for themselves even though they are capable, LOTS of visitors at all hrs and family checking up on your every move. You have to plot your day to catch ppl before therapy comes and gets them cuz must have PT OT ST or all 3 and are gone all day. Lots of changing orders from Drs. High pt turn over. High resident to nurse ration which is normal of all LTC except like I said they are needy and more prone to complications than typical stable residents. with all that said it is not boring you will be busy all day and learn a lot!

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Specializes in LTC, OB/GYN, Primary Care.

oh and lots more assessments than typical LTC residents!! which = more paperwork

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Specializes in Hospice.

Having worked in long her / skilled rehab since graduation, I would not recommend a job in skilled rehab as your first job. Work on a regular long term wing for bit first, learn the time management skills needed to work in long term care before you have to deal with skilled rehab patients. Skilled rehab is a lot like working in a hospital, except you will have 20 patients instead of the 6 you might have in an acute care setting.

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Thank you very much! It was very helpful!:)

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i love that nursing homes and subacute/rehab are used interchangeably by people....they are different animals.

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