Another Newcomer

Specialties Home Health

Published

Hello,

Well, today was my first day. It didn't really count because I got to watch videos, OSHA, etc. I came from a MED Surg floor. I was there for three years. Prior to that, I worked with Head Injury patients, but not as a nurse, before that a supported employment workshop-inmates, MR, Autism, etc. I really do not like paperwork, but please don't tell me I shouldn't do home health as a result. I'm still surprised how many people on my floor told me to stay PRN, questioned why would I want to leave the best job they have ever had, questioned have you ever done home health, and then gave their experiences. I know everyone is different. Wish me luck and I'll be watching for advice and experience.

Nance

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Welcome to home health. It is the best place to be. I am new to this board but have been in home health for 12 years. Field nurse, one year stint as a team manager (hated it), and now back to field nurse. I love it. The paperwork is ever changing for us, but we are on computer and that helps. It gives me flexibility, and you can't beat the view. I work in Western Ky and cover a county that has KY Lake on one side........beats an office with a window any day.

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Specializes in Home Health.
Originally posted by ksb13

Welcome to home health. It is the best place to be. I am new to this board but have been in home health for 12 years. Field nurse, one year stint as a team manager (hated it), and now back to field nurse. I love it. The paperwork is ever changing for us, but we are on computer and that helps. It gives me flexibility, and you can't beat the view. I work in Western Ky and cover a county that has KY Lake on one side........beats an office with a window any day.

Well said and welcome to all the newcomers!!

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The freedom is wonderful. Also in home health you really get to practice nursing as I was taught. Not only the skills needed, but the teaching, psychosocial and because you're in the patients home you can assess everything. The paperwork is terrible, but you do get used to it. I work prn and am paid per visit. Yesterday I did 3 admissions. I started work at 8am and was home by 12. Of course I needed to do about 5 hours of paperwork, but did it after the kids went to bed sitting on the living room floor.

Ann

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Our agency was pay per visit until 3 years ago, since then have changed over to salaried case managers and hourly visit nurses. It has both advantages and disadvantages, but overall I haven't seen a great deal of change in either my income or workload. The bigger changes related to going to computer documentation and of course.......oasis. Still the paperwork is manageable for me and I have a boss that understands that sometimes I have to go home and complete the paperwork rather than sitting in the office. We have a lot of mileage and that is the biggest part of my time....... I average >100miles daily, but as I said before the scenery is wonderful. The best advice I can give.........find someone in your agency who has been there more than a year and LIKES doing home health. Ask that person to precept you, because you will have questions for a long time.....I still ask the nurse who precepted me and that was 12 years ago.......because something new comes up on a regular basis. The freedom is wonderful, and you will never be bored.

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