skilled LTC compared to Hospital

[sactwnguy]

I currently have only worked in skilled ltc, lots of rehab, our facility cares for vent pts, of course tube feeders, we see a lot of chf, copd, cva, dementia,wounds, picc lines, while it is mostly older adults, we do have younger as well, some nurses who have worked in both, say it is pretty similar to working med surg, just curious of others views if you have both skilled ltc and hospital exp.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I have only worked acute care, but I have seen nurses with rehab and LTC experience only turned away again and again. I am not sure why though. Maybe some of the HR people in the know will respond.

[sactwnguy]

yeah, and many of the nurses who have worked at our facility have left for acute care facilities, so not sure. Really just depends on what environment is preferred I suppose.

[teeroze201069]

Worked ltc with rehab unit for 3 yrs. Hoping to get into med/surg. While the types of patients are similar the number of patients differs greatly. Med/Surg here is generally max 6:1 patient to nurse ratio. The ltc I worked at was 33:1 with as many as 20 of those rehab patients. Documentation is unreal. Charting every shift for 20 Medicare patients PLUS any of the 13 ltc patients with COC PLUS 2-3 discharges PLUS 2-3 admits PLUS ordering labs, calling family or md with lab results or COC, answering your phone calls cuz there is no one at the desk, prn pain meds, iv's,picc lines, incidents, codes,.....all in 8 hrs!!! It's a wonder I lasted 3 yrs. Lol.

Would I go back? Jury is still out. Potential for fast burnout is very high.