Working for Select Specialty Hospitals?

[Nurse2440]

I am thinking of applying for an RN position for Select Specialty Hospitals, and was wanting some honest opinions from other nurses about working for this organization. What was/is your experience regarding culture, workload, etc? If I do not have any real experience with vents, will they take the time to train me? Is management very supportive? I am looking specifically at positions in NC, but any input is appreciated. Thanks so much!

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Select is a huge organisation, so questions about culture/management really depend on the particular place.

Some Selects have med/surg/tele units only, some have ICU and some are something in between. Most of the patients end there NOT because they are well on their way to recovery. They come directly from ICUs and units because they overstayed all "days" alloted by insurance or because they, by their own merits or those of their dears and loved ones, entered the category of "that patient we all just can't wait to see going outta here". If anything, most of these folks are getting sicker in the process, so you are going to deal with the sickest of the sick, with those discarded by everyone else.

It is not SNF. In fact, most patients are more acute than on general med/surg floor, and of variety unsurpassed anywhere but in ER. A LOT of procedures, wound care of all kinds. You can easily get certified in it, as well as in moderate sedation. My place recently started free CCRN course for everybody who wants. Vents are mostly managed by RRTs.There can be lines and pressure drips even if your unit doesn't have ICU. You still can have couple of admissions/discharges in a shift, and, as patients staying between 2 and 4 weeks, you really have chance to know them and their families. The workload is close to med/surg in sheer numbers but much higher in reality, counting how incredibly sick these people are. You will learn A WHOLE LOT.