New Here

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2003

Hi, Gina! Welcome to the forums!

I just wanted to wish you good luck- Fall '04 might seem far away but it will be here before you know it! I'm sure that with your enthusiasm and compassionate attitude you'll succeed wildly.

I'm so sorry that you lost your mom, but thank you for sharing her passion with us. She's the kind of nurse *I* strive to be, too.

As for the home health nursing you might want to post this in the Home Health forum as well! Here's the link, if you haven't found it already: https://allnurses.com/f23

(((((((((((hugging you)))))))))))))

See you around the board!

Elspeth · Sep 27, 2003

Hi Gina and welcome. I agree, go to the Home Health board and you'll lear ALOT but I saw your post and will quickly respond: I just left Home Health after 5 yrs there (24 yrs as RN). It was one of the most rewarding nursing experiences I've had because it's one on one with your patient and family. Lots of teaching and support etc. It's so different from the hospital b/c you are on the PATIENT'S turf, you are a guest in their home, yet you will often be treated like family. I loved it but the paperwork is horrendous . Like many Home Health nurses I visited homes without running water, bugs everywhere etc so you should consider if that sort of environment bothers you...it's not for everyone. I've done numerous dsg changes while swatting flies away etc. I think you might want to work in a med/surg setting first also b/c in Home Health you kind of have to be a jack of all trades since you will deal with everything and anything.This was hard on me b/c I'd never done med/surg...had always worked on specialty units and some days I felt like I was back in nursing school but I (re)learned so much. Also, be ready to be on your own.....no buddy down the hall etc to give you a 2nd opinion on a wound etc.....but it does hone your thinking skills, lol! Good Luck. Your mother sounded like a wonderful person and nurse.(PS...the reason I went to Home Health was b/c the hrs fit in so perfectly with being a mom....we had a lot of flexibility and freedom built into the job which I liked.)

Noney · Sep 27, 2003

Welcome to Allnurses, Gina. I've only done a little private duty as far as home health goes, but I'll share a little story with you.

A year ago, my great grandmother was ill. We took her to the hospital. The docter discharged her the next day because all he was doing for her at the hospital was giving her breathing treatments. He sent her home on oxygen and with inhalers. She was so congested she needed more then that. She could not even stand without assistance, this was new. We called his office the next day to request for specific things. Well to make a long story short, he sent a visiting nurse. She received home health for a few weeks, and along with different family members staying with her around the clock, she recovered. My family and myself give the the home health nurses credit for saving her life. They made things happen. My great grandmother is still living, she is 97. She lived with my grandmother. She can walk with a walker again and doesn't need oxygen. I strongly feel she would not be here if not for her home health nurses.

Sorry that was so long winded, I just wanted to let you know how important home health nurses are.

Noney

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2003

Welcome Aboard

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Sep 27, 2003

Hello Gina !

Glad to have you aboard ! :) Looking forward to hearing more from you. Wish you the best in your endeavors... sounds like you had one fabulous mentor and example in your life already ! She's watching you and PROUD of you !

Mkue · Sep 27, 2003

Welcome Gina, glad to have you here!

:nurse:

mkue

dianacs · Sep 28, 2003

Welcome. I am a nursing student in St. Louis too. What nursing school are you going to?

Nurse89 · Sep 28, 2003

Welcome to allnurses Gina! So good to have you here. :)

I don't have personal experience with home health nursing, but I know some home health nurses..they are wonderful, compassionate and awesome nurses, just as you will be. Good luck with school.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 28, 2003

welcome and best wishes in your schooling and future career. you came to the right place for support.

don't forget to stop by the student nursing forums, too!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2003

Welcome and best wishes.

I found that the nursing school bookwork didn't get any harder than anatomy, so if you survive a&p, you'll survive the nursing courses. Try not to get hung up on the GPA. It's your license isn't going to say "goverman, RN with a GPA of 3.5 because of a B in A&P". I've never heard of a hospital or home health agency that asked for a GPA. (Of course keep doing your best and striving for excellence, but concentrate on learning what you need to learn and not the number.)

goverman · Sep 28, 2003

Originally posted by dianacs
Welcome. I am a nursing student in St. Louis too. What nursing school are you going to?

I am going to attend St. Louis Community Meremac for the Nursing portion... it's cheaper than other programs. Where are you attending?