Transition to acute care

[shan13]

I'm planning to transition to working in acute care and I'm a little nervous! I've been an RN for almost 4 years but most of that has been in home health. I did do 3 months in a new grad program but when the pandemic hit, my then tween daughter had started struggling with mental health issues which escalated to suicidal ideation when the pandemic started, so I quit my job and stayed home to be with her. I also worked for 5 years as an LVN in long term acute care. Does anyone have any advice for brushing up on acute care skills/knowledge? Any recommendations on YouTube videos or something I can listen to while I'm driving? I'm hoping to get into a telemetry unit. Thanks in advance! 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I made the transition from long term care to med/surg a number of years ago. Give yourself credit for some very important skills you already have from your time in long term acute care. You probably have some well refined assessment skills, and since you worked in an area likely understaffed, your time management skills are also pretty on point. Any hospital that hires you is going to give you an orientation to the specific unit you're going to work on. Brushing up on your knowledge related to some of the most common medications, antihypertensives, cardiac meds, diuretics, etc. would be good. One key is going to be organization, find yourself a report sheet that fits with your style so you can get and give report in an organized manner. That's going to be a great way to get yourself started. As for resources, there are a number of instagram and YouTube nurses that have free accounts with all sorts of information. You'll find the ones that fit your learning style. Good luck!