Scared to death to try something new.

[Guest301134]

My first post! I have been a nurse for 12 years. First as an LPN and then became an RN. I have only worked in Long Term Care. I am really ready for a change, possibly something in the hospital. The problem is that I have worked in LTC so long that I feel very comfortable in this setting and thinking about working in the hospital freaks me out! Has anyone out there transitioned from LTC to hospital nursing?

[psalm, RN]

Yes, and it was a transition, but a good one. You have strengths from LTC that will help you in acute care. You have the long term relationships with residents and their families, that will enable you to be comfortable with dealing with the acute pt. families & visitors.

You have done dressing changes and tube feedings, blood sugars and administered insulins. You have given PRN meds PO and IM. You have seen your residents/pts. mental status changes, which alerted you to possible UTI so you got a u/a; or checked resident for possible stroke... You have prob. done range of motion and helped ambulate in LTC and you will in acute care. You have dealt with chest pains, bowel regimens, falls, calling physicians for change in resident status...

You've monitored vital signs, edema, gait, etc. You've prob. been charge nurse also.

Congrats on your RN. Give yourself some credit and let us know how you do!