[rnbackagain]

I just returned to HH nursing after 8 years of being out of nursing completely. I was previously a home health nurse for 7 years before leaving the job to start a business (non-medical) with my husband. I am a little nervous returning to nursing. Has Home Health changed much in the past 8 years (besides the Medicare cuts and the Oasis)? Should I take a refresher course? Any suggestions you have to make my transition easier would be very helpful.

[renerian]

Yes things have changed alot..........is your new company orienting you to the changes?

renerian

[rnbackagain]

Originally Posted by renerian

Yes things have changed alot..........is your new company orienting you to the changes?

renerian

I was a DON (1992) and ADON (1989-1991) of a Home Health Agency, and I think my current DON thinks I know or remember more than I actually do. She is very new to the DON position herself. I was reading over some charts yesterday, and the forms looked familiar (except the OASIS), but I had trouble remembering even the qualifications for homecare. My DON mentioned about 2 weeks of orientation, but I feel like 2 MONTHS is more like it. I will be working prn starting out, so no call yet.
I feel if I take a refresher course for nursing in general, I might get some of my confidence back. I am going to be working at a small hospital-based HHA (I worked at this one about 8 years ago as a field nurse), and the patients are mainly Medicare, so I think that will help with my transition also. I want to take it slow but sure.........

[sugarmag22]

I just started HH nursing. I am sure that the technology has changed quite a bit. If I may give you some advise. Don't worry those things can be taught to you. I truely believe the heart and compassion of a nurse will never change. You can learn the technical stuff, but you will always have your heart

[barefootlady]

Make sure you ask plenty of questions during the first few months back. Nursing in general has changed, no just HH.

[renerian]

Every state has an OASIS educator/coordinator who has classes on the OASIS and how to interpret the questions. I would have your DON call and get you in the next class.

The DON can get you some tools from your state QIO/Quality Improvement Organization to help with on OASIS.

I would also go the CMS website and check out the changing regs. I assume this DON gave you a copy of the COPS?

renerian

[rnbackagain]

Originally Posted by renerian

Every state has an OASIS educator/coordinator who has classes on the OASIS and how to interpret the questions. I would have your DON call and get you in the next class.

The DON can get you some tools from your state QIO/Quality Improvement Organization to help with on OASIS.

I would also go the CMS website and check out the changing regs. I assume this DON gave you a copy of the COPS?

renerian

I have only been in the office twice in the past 2 weeks. My DON is holding off on about everything until I am CPR certified (which I just got that today). I will certainly ask about getting into an OASIS class. She has not given me copies of anything yet. I am glad for this website so I will know what to ask for. I do not know what the COPS is, so there is the answer to that question. Also, please advise as to what the CMS website is. Thanks

[Hairstylingnurse]

It would be a good idea for you to get a subscription to "Home healthcare nurse". It covers alot on the oasis monthly. It covers alot of other things too. It is well worth the money for a returning nurse.

[rnbackagain]

Originally Posted by Hairstylingnurse

It would be a good idea for you to get a subscription to "Home healthcare nurse". It covers alot on the oasis monthly. It covers alot of other things too. It is well worth the money for a returning nurse.

Thank you. I will do that!

[Traveler]

Other than paperwork changes (which are a constant in hh anyway) I think the biggest change is patient acuity. Folks are coming home much sicker and earlier from the hospital than before. We are doing more IV's and WdVacs, etc. It will just take some time to get yourself re-acquatinted with everything. Technology changes quickly so you might not be familiar with some of the machines, but after you use them for the first time you'll do fine.