Should I take the position: inpatient rehabilitation?

[sunkissed95]

Hi all,

I was recently offered a part time position in the inpatient rehab unit of a local hospital. I would work an average of 20 hours per week (three 8 hours shifts one week, one 8 hour shift the following week). I'm very eager to gain clinical experience in a hospital setting before applying to medical school, but I have some reservations concerning the position.

My biggest concern relates to the physical demands of the position from lifting or transferring patients. (However, the hospital facilities seem to be quite modern and updated. I spotted two lifts during my unit tour.) Is this concern justified in inpatient rehabilitation? If I were to walk away from the position, would seeking employment in another department (of the same hospital) be more difficult? If not, can you recommend a department that would, perhaps, be less physically demanding?

I plan on contacting the nurse manager via email to thank her for offering me the position and to ask my remaining questions before accepting the position. I've just recently earned my license, and I'm very excited to take on this opportunity - especially considering my complete lack of nursing assistant experience. As a full time undergraduate student completing premed coursework, I want to consider my options carefully.

Best,

sunkissed95

[mvm2]

Well there are not too many CNA jobs that are not physically demanding. I personally would just take the job. Hospital CNA jobs are not always easy to come by. Many people are lined up for these opertunities. And really if you are the lucky one that gets this position I would not turn it down. There are no garentees that you would be the one choosen if you declined this job and applied for a different department.

[sunkissed95]

Hi mvm2,

Thanks for your comment.

I agree that I may not be able to secure another position in a hospital setting, so I'm certainly leaning toward accepting the position in the rehab unit.

Best,

sunkissed95

[Missingyou, CNA]

I'd take the position!

If you saw mechanical lifts in the department during your tour, it is likely that you will be required to use them. That is a very good thing!

I would worry if you DIDN'T see the lifts! The mechanical lifts are crucial in a rehab setting and in a SNF. If they didn't have them I would not work there. Lifting someone is dangerous for you and the patient without it.

[danijohn]

Take the job!

I work at an inpatient rehabilitation center and it is much less physically demanding than a nursing home. Don't miss out on your "in" at a hospital. You can always transfer down the road. As previously mentioned, CNA work ANYWHERE is physically demanding, but in the hospital, at least for me, there is more equipment, guidelines and protocols for lifting and transfers. We have hover mats, bariatric beds, sit-to-stands, beds that turn the patient for you and ceiling lifts. We are not allowed to lift more than 15lbs. When I worked at nursing homes if the patient did not want to use a hoyer lift we would have to basically pick them up and stand pivot them with a gait belt. Rehab is great, it's one of the few units that you get to know the patient, watch them progress, get to know their family and know they are going home in a better condition than when they arrived.