back to hospital after 11 years in home health

nursesearl, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

renerian,

Good luck. The way things are in home health these days, I've thought about making the change myself. What unit are you working on?

GLDLPN · Oct 7, 2003

Isearl,

I am curious ~ you mention "the way things are in home health these days" ~ would you share about that please? I am a hospital nurse, and sometimes think to maybe change to home health ~ one of my coworkers got fed up with the hospital and made the change and is loving it ~ I don't really know that much about home health. Funny how "the grass is always greener......"

Gayle

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

I did not communicate correctly. I went back to the hospital after being in home health so long. I loved home health. The company I worked for the pay was awful and that is the only reason I left. I was paid per visit. No pay for drive time, office time or phone time. Sometimes, alot, I would only be able to see 3 patients in a day as their service area was nine counties. I would only be paid 75 for 8 to 9 hours work. The key is service area. Our was 9 counties so the patients were spread very far apart and the company would not put nurses in geographic areas so our travel time was huge. If you find an agency with smaller territory you should be fine.

The hospital I am working for has 8 different software packages, none are interfaced, that you have to enter patient information in. way to much logging in/out.

renerian

sjoe · Oct 7, 2003

"If you find an agency with smaller territory you should be fine. "

You forgot to add "and if you simply LOVE doing LOTS of paperwork."

"The hospital I am working for has 8 different software packages, none are interfaced, that you have to enter patient information in. way to much logging in/out"

Unfortunately, this seems to be the rule rather than the exception in healthcare. Management has typically been unwilling to: 1) pay the bucks, and 2) plan ahead far enough, both of which would be required in order to avoid this piecemeal approach. Since it is the end-user (i.e. YOU) who is most incovenienced by this, their conclusion seems to be "So what?"

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

Hi Ren,

Congrats on being back in the hospital. It will get better as you spend more time there. I know what you mean about the computer charting, I loved and hated it at the same time. Sometimes I just had to stop and take stock of what I had charted and what was absolutely necessary to chart . Not easy in these sue happy days. What type of unit are you working? Is the money better? How about staffing issues? Come on and give me the scoop, remember I am still looking for a new job. Best of Luck to you, but I know you will be great at whatever you do.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

Barefoot I am on an oncology unit. Short staffed and my orientation is changing daily. They keep changing on a daily basis.

Rather frustrating. I wonder if it is like that everywhere?

renerian

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 7, 2003

Yay Ren !

Glad you found a spot you feel you'll be comfortable in (AFTER you reacclimate, of course) .... keep us posted on your progress and your take on things... love hearing from you. ((( HUGS)))

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

Ren, from what I am able to discern that IS what is going on everywhere. I know I have to get cracking and soon, but something is telling me to wait. I am afraid my hubby is going to have a problem, little tell tale signs are cropping up. I really miss working. I miss my routine. Hope this is just a phase and I will be able to pull myself back in the saddle soon. Oncology is demanding and will short staff and you having some experience they probably want you to be independent asap.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2003

Thanks barefoot and Jnette! renerian

live4today, RN · Oct 7, 2003

:balloons: Congrats on your new job, renerian!