rehab nursing too much like LTC nursing?

[rnhope]

Hello I am just wondering, I am a recent grad and was offered a job at a subacute rehab facility. I have worked LTC as an LPN and was really hoping to "spread my wings" a little once I obtained my Rn degree. I have never worked in subacute rehab and was just wondering if it is just going to be more like LTC. I know jobs are hard to come by and I dont want to turn it down I am just curious if I am pigeon holing myself to same type of work.

Thanks so much

[enchantmentdis, BSN, RN]

It's going to be a lot like LTC: elderly, demented patients who don't want to move and who actually have poor rehab potential. Lots of pills, lots of BMs, lots of falls, lots of patients saying "i want to go home" over and over again. Good luck.

[rnhope]

Thanks for the answer, I am extrremely disappointed to hear that! I was hoping that I would get a variety of patients young and old, but its a job and alot of new grads dont have that so I'm grateful. Its a brand new rehab so maybe management will bring in some actual rehab patients. I know I know wishfful thinking lol

thanks

[INLPN93]

Rehab is usually just Medicare and that is a temporary admit, there won't be any long term to it, once the therapies have dc'd the res the Medicare is over and they are dc'd.

Unless, you are told in a tour or interview that this is a multiple certified facility. That means pt. A becomes res. A due to a change in insurance coverage.

The dx's and tx's will not be exactly alike either.

Find out if it is Medicare only, if not it is a very heavy case load of LTC type work. If it IS Medicare only, the patients are short term and it is not the same thing.

I have worked for Medicare only rehab, it is alot of admission/discharge work and Medicare charting, MDS and meds/tx's. I have also worked LTC, it isn't the same at all.

It will however be alot of elderly post fx of the hip, or extremity, strokes, and anything that can be covered by therapy (PT, OT etc). That's as far as the similarities go. This is a step between hospital and LTC facility placement.