RN in Inpatient Rehab Unit, but want to get out

[nurseindistress]

Hello. I’ve posted on here recently about advice on where I should go next.

I've been a nurse for 4 years, and worker Ortho- tele, and a Medsurg Tele float. Back in May 2019, I decided to take on a Rehab RN position inpatient In a hospital in hopes of getting my foot in the door @ said hospital and then working my way up. However, Covid hit and there were not jobs in the inpatient side.
And now today, I am hoping to finally get back into Tele to one day do something other than bedside, and am having a hard time even getting an interview. is it possible to have Rehab experience for almost 2 yrs and then get back into Tele? Or am I a lost cause ? 
I’ve heard people talk Very negatively about rehab nursing, when in reality, it isn’t a walk in the park. For some reason, we are looked down on as the bottom of the barrel. 
 

I want to get into something other than bedside nursing. Do I even need to get into Tele to achieve that goal? 
 

sorry, lots of questions. And all help appreciated. struggling with the burn out and indecisiveness of where to go next.

xoxo

[Queen Tiye, RN]

Rehab nursing is very dynamic.  With some ingenuity, you can spin your rehab experience into a well designed resume to show you are more than qualified to be a tele nurse.

By the way, I’ve never heard of rehab nursing being at the bottom of the barrel.  Rehab nurses literally get patients from every service that are still very sick.  Rehab nurses have to know how to care for burns, traumas, cardiology PT’s, etc.  The unit is usually very heavy, and during the day the work doesn’t stop until you leave.  Nurses have to plan their interventions in conjunction with ST, PT, OT, SW, and the different services that are following the Pt.  Analgesics have to be given like clockwork so Pt’s can get the most out of therapy and be able to tolerate wound care.  The Pt’s are often depressed, in a lot of pain, and require a lot of empowerment and patience.  Rehab nurses rock.

 

 

[SarHat17, ASN, RN]

If there are open Inpatient RN positions at the hospital you are applying to, I'm surprised you aren't getting the interviews. Review your resume and application information. There are a lot of resources and posts on this site that could help refine areas that may need some tweaking.

19 minutes ago, Queen Tiye said:

Rehab nurses literally get patients from every service that are still very sick.  Rehab nurses have to know how to care for burns, traumas, cardiology PT’s, etc.  The unit is usually very heavy, and during the day the work doesn’t stop until you leave.  Nurses have to plan their interventions in conjunction with ST, PT, OT, SW, and the different services that are following the Pt.  Analgesics have to be given like clockwork so Pt’s can get the most out of therapy and be able to tolerate wound care.  The Pt’s are often depressed, in a lot of pain, and require a lot of empowerment and patience.  Rehab nurses rock.

I'd incorporate this information into your resume, as applicable. And ask if there are units or opportunities to shadow. You will get a good look at the inpatient units you are interested in, and get your name and face out there when you touch base with that manager.

For future opportunities, moving away from the bedside, I'd suggest keeping the tele position for at least a year to gain experience and show stability (other, more experienced nurses on this site may have better advice than me). Best of luck with your future interviews and new position!