[katzrkool]

I recently graduated and my long term goal is to work in home care (visiting nurses, etc.). How much med surg experience would I need to get into home care to survive and does anyone have a recommendation for an agency that would be good for this type of nursing?? Also is the money comparable to that if working in a facility??

[Yankee in TX]

Unfortunately I don't have any specifics regarding money or agencies. When I did home care the nurses needed at least 1 year Med-Surg type experience. Home care was my most "favorite" job. I did infusion and the hours were extremely long but you only had 1 patient at a time.

[Dixiedi]

Originally Posted by katzrkool

I recently graduated and my long term goal is to work in home care (visiting nurses, etc.). How much med surg experience would I need to get into home care to survive and does anyone have a recommendation for an agency that would be good for this type of nursing?? Also is the money comparable to that if working in a facility??

Most agencies require at least 1 year experience. I have been in home care for a long time now and for safety I think at least 5 or more. (I had left nursing for awhile but was dong home care before I left and do it now.)

As for your other questions there is too much variable to answer. Facility staffing generally pays near twice as much as a staff nurse gets. Home care varies according pt requirements and nurses experience. I am an LPN. I make 16-21 $/hr. RNs at my agency make 18-23 $/hr. We get weekend, holiday, etc on top of that.
There are LPNs who can not make the 21 and there are RNs who can not make the 23. It all depends on experience. There are many RNs and LPNs at my agency who have no vent experience, they can't take care of vent pts, this keeps their earning at the lower end.
You see how it works with this small example. Like I said, way too many variables!

[nightingale]

I agree, having the facility backround is very important. More than once, I have had to call a Dr. and make the pt. go into the ER. It takes confidence to case manage and be the pt. advocate at times when no one else is available.

I am no longer doing HH but would love to try it again, with the right company. I found it most rewarding and the most challenging.

The salary range sounds about right. My last company, paid $ 3.00 mile reimbursement for visits. With todays gas prices I am glad I am not filling up my tank every 5-6 days. The reimbursement really was not enough. It looks like a hot summer here in the southwest so I am glad to not be driving in the afternoon.

Again, I found HH the most rewarding and the most challenging. I need a little break from it for a while (maybe few years...lol)

Let us know how we can help.

[johnson0424]

I know that core medical group does home health and you have to have 1 yr experience