Questions for any Visiting Home Care Nurses

Hello Everyone

I've been perusing this site for a year but this is my first post. I'm currently in my 3rd year of my BScN and the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming brighter. When I first started school, I was dead set on working in the ER in a busy urban center. Since then however I have been exposed to community nursing and I think I would be best suited for community nursing.

I have spoken with a few of the home health care agencies (Bayshore, Paramed, Saint Elizabeth and VON) and have googled the subject to death. I was hoping that I could get some insight from someone who works for one of these agencies as I have many questions.

Although money is not number one on my list of requirements it does make the world go round (as well as reduce the giant mountain of money I owe RBC). I was told by one recruiter that in the begining I would make less than an RN working in the hospital but as I became more comfortable and efficient in the position, that would change. It would seem to me that if you worked five days per week and had ten cases per day at $30 per case, you would gross 70k a year. Is that accurate? Also, is there room to work overtime? I don't mind working evenings, weekends or being on call.

I'm also very concerned about training and job satisfaction. Does anyone have any glowing reviews (or horror stories) about any of these agencies?

Also, what about mileage? Does the mileage pay cover gas, maintainace etc? I also have heard that you are able to write off some expenses as you do work from home?

Anyway, I'm sure I'm missing something but any advice, stories or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.