wound care training/shadowing oppts

[Yellow Tulip, BSN]

I am a second career nurse with 3years of long term care experience and currently taking a break from nursing for almost a year due to retina detachment surgeries + recovery. Even after several surgeries, I ended up having a relatively low vision (20/ 40-50 with correction) in the affected eye,  but I still have a 20/20 in the other eye though.  

Now, it's time to get back to work!  Really want to transition into Wound care nursing  Any advice on where /what/how to start without acute experience, with low vision in one eye?  I feel I am lost @@@  Since I moved to a new state where my aging parents live, I don't know anyone here. 

How can I get a shadowing opportunity? Any wound care nurses in central Colorado? Thank you!

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I became interest in wound care when I was working in long term care. Most facilities have a wound care nurse - you may want to reach out to some local long term care facilities to see if you can make a connection there.

Or are you near a hospital that offers wound care services - in some cases even rural areas have clinics. Some places will provide on the job training and don't require certification initially. 

On the positive side, I'm not sure the low vision in one eye would limit your ability to pursue this area of nursing since you've got one good eye. I'm guessing you've figured out ways to compensate and work with your current vision to complete tasks. 

Good luck!

[Yellow Tulip, BSN]

Thank you sooo much Vampiregirl!!   I really appreciate all your valuable tips. 

As a long term care nurse, I became very interested in Wound care & Hospice too. I love to hear more about your experiences. I will definitely try to reach out wound care clinics/LTC/hospitals to ask any opportunities..  Thank you again

 

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

Hospice/ palliative care might be another option for you if you are comfortable driving in various conditions.

Most hospices are always looking for PRN nurses and many offer very flexible scheduling. Our hospice currently has 3 part time/ PRN hospice nurses who work 1-2 days a week and help with visits. All 3 have personal or family circumstances that make a traditional nursing position not work for them - but they bring so much to our patients and the caregivers. 

Check out the hospice/ palliative care forum on All Nurses and feel free to ask questions. You can also PM me. 

Rachel

[Yellow Tulip, BSN]

Thank you so much for your advice.  Hospice/Palliative nursing will fit me, Def. I will check it out.  You are awesome!!