thoughts on doing LTAC as new grad?

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2008

If your excited than that is great. LTAC is not for me. Not that I dont think it is a wonderful opportunity and an honorable field, I just cant handle that many patients. For me ICU was a perfect fit, low ratios, I feel like I can really learn the whole body system and I am doing complete care.

I went through school thinking I would be a L&D nurse but they had no openings, funny how things work out. I couldnt imagine doing any other kind of nursing.

Congrats on your new job!!!

file03 · Apr 15, 2008

it isn't definite! I hope it is. I've heard this ltac is 3-1 ratio.

Nurseismade RN · Apr 17, 2008

I've had clinical experience in nursing school with just med/surg, ortho, etc etc. no experience in ICU or any kind intensive care settings.
what are your thoughts on a new grad having their first position at a long-term acute care facility? it's the only position so far that has promise of happening. I've been waiting a long time to get hired. I've heard the nurse that may take me under her wing is great. I feel excited.

working in a long term acute care hospital is challenging......I just started working in one...this is my second job...graduated in june 07...passed the boards July... my first job was not challenging. I love this one......its rehab with med surg and some telemetry. I get at the most 6 patients but 5 is the norm....and our patients stay at least 2 weeks....

some folks confuse LTAC with long term care..........no comparison

Here is a great description of what you will encounter as a nurse in a LTAC:-

LTAC stands for "long-term acute care" hospital. LTAC hospitals treat critically ill, medically complex patients who suffer from multiple organ system failures - active disorders of many parts of the body. These conditions include cardiopulmonary disorders, wounds, kidney diseases, complex infections, and neurological disorders such as head and spinal cord injury and stroke. Because they are medically complex, our patients often are dependent on technology, such as mechanical ventilators, total parenteral nutrition, respiratory or cardiac monitors and dialysis machines for continued life support. At our hospitals, we strive to help our patients recover through a carefully orchestrated multidisciplinary team approach.

great place to gain experience.

First, to correct some common misperceptions:

LTAC is not chronic care.

LTACs are not skilled nursing facilities.

LTACs are not rehabilitation facilities.

LTACs are not short-term acute hospitals.

hope this helps:)

file03 · Apr 17, 2008

thanks for the info!

I guess people have different opinions. my friend that's a nurse (she's a new nurse... she was a new grad in Dec 07), says for me not to start in LTAC. and that it's just going to be monotony and I won't experience enough conditions/or gain as much experience as I would on a Med/Surg floor.

my boyfriend's mom who is a nurse for 30+ years now is saying for me to wait on other positions. but I can't wait anymore! I graduated May 2007, took the summer off, took my NCLEX November 28th, and I've been applying since December! no interviews, but for short interviews at 2 open houses.

I just need my foot through that door already.

Nurseismade RN · Apr 18, 2008

thanks for the info!
I guess people have different opinions. my friend that's a nurse (she's a new nurse... she was a new grad in Dec 07), says for me not to start in LTAC. and that it's just going to be monotony and I won't experience enough conditions/or gain as much experience as I would on a Med/Surg floor.
my boyfriend's mom who is a nurse for 30+ years now is saying for me to wait on other positions. but I can't wait anymore! I graduated May 2007, took the summer off, took my NCLEX November 28th, and I've been applying since December! no interviews, but for short interviews at 2 open houses.
I just need my foot through that door already.

it's a good door to put your foot through:chuckle

with great respect to your boyfriend's mom....30+ years wow!!!!

however the hospital setting has changed especially LTAC. One reason is that hospitals are (for no choice of a better word)...kicking the acute patients out faster now..... however they are too sick to go home so they come to us the LTAC. So we are getting fresh amputees, fresh hip surgery and knee replacements, pt with ileostomies, pt after gall bladder removal, cardiac, cancer patients, you name it.....

and if you are like me.....it's nice that they stay with us longer than 2-4 days.....we get to know them as people and it is so rewarding when they are discharged 2-4wks later greatly recovered. Most go home...some however are discharged to SNF (skilled nursing facillities).

after 6 mos to 1 yr......some at my hospital do get jobs at the large hospitals closer to Boston...but stay per diem.....per diems make $9 dollars more an hour. BTW....the large hospitals hire us because of the skills acquired at LTAC...THEY KNOW:D