[paularn]

I have been asked to present home health nursing to a RN refreshers nursing program at a local university. It will be a 1 hour presentation ( although leaving time for Q & A's in that time frame) on the career path of home health nursing. Any of you nurses have any opinions on what you would speak about to this refresher group? What do you consider the best and worst aspects of home care nursing? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first speaking engagement. I have to speak on 4/2. Thanks.

[sunnygirl272]

Best aspect: Really getting to know the patient..ok, this can go under worst also...lol...I love going into homes and knowing the names of their cat/dog/bird(shudder)/scorpion/ferret, whatever...
I love the autonomy!!!....
I love the icky wounds!!!


Worst aspect by far: MEDICARE REGS!!! tighter by the day!!!
also really stinks to have pts that fall through the cracks...you may have fudged and stretched as far as you can...and there are just flat out no more skilled needs...but this person has no one else...that is awful...heartbreaking...


will post more as i ponder over my glass of wine....

[NRSKarenRN]

"the career path of home health nursing"

Flexability over time and hands on care/dip your toes in:
Perdiem Homecare RN

Flexability over time with increased responsibility,strong organizational skills,don't mind paperwork:
RN Case Manager

Jack of all trades, motivator, trouble shooter,paperwork lover:
Office based Case Manager/Clinical Manager
RN Educator (BSN minimum)

Dot's I's and Crosses T's, Perfectionist, LOVES Paperwork;
Likes repetition or unable climb stairs:
Utilization Review Coordinator
QA/QI Coordinator

Chatty on the phone lover, multitasking, place to retire from:
Intake RN
Discharge Planner/Clinical Liasion

Management Track:
RN Case Manager
Branch Manager
Assistant/DON
CEO


Hope this helps!!

[hoolahan]

Great post Karen.

And ITA w sunny as well, one thing that nurses who work in the hospital really do not have to concern themselves with as much is insurance issues. In HH this is important. Maybe a blurb about the diff's between Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care.

Another selling point, many insurance co's want HH expereince for positions like case managers, utilization review etc... HH is a natural stepping stone to case management positions.

[renerian]

Karen I could not have said it better than you did........

renerian