[dcoffee]

I am burned out in Skilled Nursing and want to go into home health ( did it as CNA for 8 years) Does anyone know of any really exceptional Home health Agencies in LA county (west covina area) Is anyone familiar with Vitas and how they are to work for? I'm also a little nervous in the stability of the hours!!!! Any advice is soooo appreciated!!

[Kashia]

Just found out about this agency in LA/santa barbara , sorry if it does not direct link for you. I resonate with their belief in holistic home care..

www.assisted1.com

[rplnurse]

Originally Posted by dcoffee

I am burned out in Skilled Nursing and want to go into home health ( did it as CNA for 8 years) Does anyone know of any really exceptional Home health Agencies in LA county (west covina area) Is anyone familiar with Vitas and how they are to work for? I'm also a little nervous in the stability of the hours!!!! Any advice is soooo appreciated!!

Stay away from Vitas Go to Odyssey

[caliotter3]

I attended an open house for Vitas in another area. If that is how they routinely treat potential employees, I hesitate to think of how they treat employees or clients on a day to day basis. Yes, it's true. First impressions count. I was not favorably impressed at all.

[LPN2RNdude]

hold off on that home health thing.... im doing it now.... some love it some hate it.... i hate it.
you have to do soooo much paperwork,,, im usually working on it for like 2 hours after i get home.... the pay is good, but money isnt everything..... the patients are really sick at times and should actually be in the hospital but u know how medicare and HMOs work,,,, so it is up to u to assure these patients get the care they need, and the agencies usually only allow 2 to 3 visits a week to conserve costs,,,,, so the patient never really gets proper care in my opinion anyway. plus u have to teach caregivers and patients about TPN, IVs, portacaths, central lines, disease processes, s/sx/ ,pharmacology,,, all in a 30 minute visit a few times a wek... still sound exciting??? im not being negative just letting u know my experience. thats why im seeking other options.... not to mention the wear and tear on ur car,,,, ive only been doing this job for 8 months as an RN and have stacked 30,000 miles on my brand new car.... plus not to mention ragged it out a little driving up dirt roads a monter truck would have trouble getting up (potholes mud rocks) its a real nightmare
good luck.

[Quietstorm1234]

Not in your area but all home health agencies are not bad. Shop around and find the one that fits your needs. Buy a good small used car to do your visits in and good luck.

[caliotter3]

As has been pointed out in another thread discussing home health, if you really need a steady schedule you need to consider your options closely. Ask agencies that you are interested in how busy can they keep you? How is their workload? Whether you work visits only or shift work, your schedule can be very full or very non-existent, depending upon the circumstances. Most people work a full or part time regular job, and work part time in home health to add to their income. It is very difficult to depend on home health sometimes. Patients do pass away, or are discharged. When that happens, you are out of work. The only way to circumvent the uncertainty is to be working for two or more agencies so that you have more opportunities to fill in your schedule when one of your cases closes. Good luck with your decision.

[japher]

What are some of the advantages you guys have found in working in home health, versus hospitals?

[nl2005]

Is home health that bad? Do you feel you can make a difference? Also, I have an old car, a little beat up, but should I use that insted of my new car? I am starting a new homehealth job. I am afraid of loosing my skills and having a problem getting hired back on at the hospital in the future. I have 4 kids and thought home health would be great for my schedule?-lisa

[caliotter3]

I would recommend putting the wear and tear on your old car first. Then you won't be out of transportation when it breaks down for the last time. My car died on me from all the hh miles I put on it and then I couldn't work b/c I didn't have money for a car. As far as scheduling goes, you will have plenty of flexibility if you want it. You can also build a steady schedule with only one client or two if you do shift work. You can find clients who will work with you to go around your children's school schedule if you need to. You just have to talk to the agency and tell them what you prefer. You might want to sign up with two agencies to keep steady work in the event that one agency can't keep you busy enough.