The transition from LTC/rehab to the hospital setting

[futureBSNmegan]

Hello everyone!

I recently accepted a position on a surgical unit as a CNA and I'll be starting orientation next week! I am SO excited! Im going to be learning how to draw blood, get EKG's set up, do glucose checks, and take out catheters (in addition to normal things like ADL's, bedpans, vitals, ambulating, transferring, etc.)! I'm about to start the clinical portion of my nursing program so this is a great opportunity to get ahead on a few of my skills! That being said, this position is quite different from what I'm currently doing as a CNA on a rehab wing at an LTC facility. My scope of practice will be MUCH greater at the hospital.

For anyone that has made the transition, or anyone that is a CNA at a hospital, what do you wish you would've known when you started? How is the hospital setting different than a nursing home? Thank you!

[hookyarnandblanket]

I started in a nursing home and moved into hospital work.

I can't say it's much different for me because they limit our scope of practice in our hospital.

As far difference, there are more moments for equipment to get in the way, more opportunities for patient status to go south in a hurry, more exposure to infectious disease, and probably the biggest for me: The goal for the majority is discharge to home, so the emphasis on getting the patient to do their own ADLs and be compliant with Dr.'s orders is highly emphasized.