At Ochsner Health, delivering individualized and comprehensive care is more than a mission; it’s a commitment to putting patients first. For our most critically ill patients, Ochsner Extended Care Hospitals provide the ideal setting for long-term acute care and recovery. These freestanding units offer a unique environment where advanced skills and sharp intuition come together to support exceptional patient outcomes.

Kristin Todd, a supervising RN for medical-surgical and telemetry units at Ochsner West Campus Extended Care Hospital in New Orleans, embodies the dedication and expertise that define the long-term acute care (LTAC) environment. For her, this setting offers both a challenge and an opportunity unlike any other healthcare field.

“Working in an LTAC facility is unique because it sits right in the middle of critical care and a step down or med surg level of care,” Kristin said. “There’s a spectrum of care that you provide. One day you could have a very sick patient, and the next you could have one that just needs you to be there to check in on them.”

This dynamic care spectrum demands nurses with a comprehensive and adaptable skill set. Within Ochsner’s LTAC units, RNs develop and refine the expertise needed to address each patient’s shifting needs.

“It’s challenging in that your skill set needs to be pretty advanced,” Kristin said. “Our nurses need to be able to lean into our own critical understanding, skills, judgment and intuition.”

For Kristin, these challenges are not only rewarding but were also what drew her into the world of LTAC nursing.

“I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee, and I was originally recruited to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans for neuro-critical care,” Kristin said. “Eventually, I made my way into long-term acute care because I wanted to diversify my skill set. I wanted to see continuity of care for myself beyond the hyper-critical, life-saving moments, and I wanted to see where patients go next after we spend so much time with them. It is extremely rewarding.”

Celebrating Progress and Teamwork

One of the most fulfilling parts of Kristin’s job is seeing patients progress from critical condition to recovery and discharge.

“There is something we always say: ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint,’” Kristin said. “You get to be there for the whole marathon and watch your hard work pay off in your patients’ lives. You get to talk through feelings and emotions with them and comfort them so that they can continue in their healing journey.”

The long-term nature of care in an extended care hospital allows nurses to build meaningful connections with patients and their families. These bonds often extend beyond the bedside, offering emotional sustenance and motivation to everyone involved.

While Kristin recognizes the emotional demands of long-term acute care nursing, she credits her team with making every challenge manageable.

“My team makes challenging situations better. They are the first people to show up when you need help. If there is a code, everyone is there asking what they can do to help and knowing intuitively when to step back. They are very good at being team players.”

Building a Career with Purpose at Ochsner Health

Kristin’s time at Ochsner Health has not only helped her develop her professional skills but also inspired her to pursue further education. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in nursing.

“I hope to become a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner,” Kristin said. “During my time at LTAC, I have gotten to experience firsthand how mental illness impedes recovery from other illnesses and how it can break down support systems and families. I want to continue my life’s work of helping the most vulnerable people overcome these challenges.”

Kristin believes that Ochsner Health’s focus on fostering growth and development has been a critical factor in her career advancement.

“You can go everywhere with Ochsner. You’re not tied down to anything. They’ve helped me advance my career by honing my skills and giving me the opportunity to grow as a nurse from critical care to long-term acute care.”

At Ochsner Health, every team member is part of a shared purpose to redefine healthcare and elevate the patient experience.