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BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??



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May 17, 2009 04:04 PM

BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??

by Epona

Hello everyone. I had an interview recently with a new BrightStar franchise. I am a brand new graduate. I stumbled upon this job listing and applied for it without much thought. Anyway, they interviewed me and would like me to join the new company. Being I am not a RN with a years experience, they want to use me to do CNA work and PR work to get the company off the ground (I have a lot of PR experience from my previous background). They are thinking they may make me an RN in a year (weird, cause I am taking boards in a month and will hopefully be a RN before a year). I am going in this week to see the CEO and we are going to discuss 'options'. Anyway, I really do not know anything about Home Health. I had no rotations in this when I was on school.

Anyone know anything about BrightStar?? I know each office is independently owned and operated.

Thanks a lot! Epona

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10 Comments
No. 1
from caliotter3
Old May 17, 2009, 04:10 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I was not impressed by the physical layout of the office when I went to apply with them recently. It was a turnoff to be standing on the city sidewalk talking on a speakerphone for anyone walking by to hear my business. I don't think this is a safe situation.

I don't see anything wrong with working as a CNA/HHA as long as there is an understanding that you will work as an RN after six months. One year is too long to hold up your RN career.

Be careful. Don't let them lowball you on your wage just because you are new.
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No. 2
from marleen123
Old May 17, 2009, 08:08 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I worked as a Home Health Nurse for years and loved it. You can set your own days/hours and you really connect with your patients. I have applied for a RN position with Bright Star Health Care and all was well. I did everything they asked for to get started, but they have not given me any patients yet. They are fairly new and I think they just don't have the patients yet.

Since you are new to the home health industry, working as a CNA/HHA might be a comfortable way to get introduced to something new for you. I also agree that one year is to long. Why not give it a 90 day trial, then talk again with the CEO when that time is up? Let them know you are willing to work with them and they will reciprocate. By then, you will know if you want to continue to work in home health. The Director and the RN's that I met at Bright Star here in my area were very professional. I look forward to working with them.

Good Luck
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No. 3
from paradiseboundRN
Old May 21, 2009, 08:57 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
BEWARE! As far as I know, Brightstar does only non-medical home care which means companion care. They do send a nurse out to do an assessment on the initial visit. She addresses safety and evaluates the medications. These patients are well, they just need a bath and companionship, not a nurse. You do not want to do this! You will not be getting the experience that you need for your nursing career. I actually took a similar job as the nursing supervisor for CareMinders (also non-medical) and regretted it in a month. It was boring and they wanted me to sell their services! I am a nurse, not a sales person. Doing assessments on well people is not what you went to nursing school for.
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No. 4
from Epona
Old Jun 25, 2009, 01:01 AM

Thumbs down Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I had not checked this thread in a while, but very interesting responses here. In reference to selling- funny you mentioned that. I have a degree in communications as well and have worked in sales. The head guy asked me if I'd be willing to use my background to drone up business and then maybe work as an RN too. He mentioned commission too and I was like WHAT????

Anyway, funny how you mentioned that. I almost fell out when they were going to pay me commission. I HATED my previous commission jobs and wanted to leave that behind when I went into Nursing. See I have prior background in that and PR and the guy was impressed with my experience. I have no problem doing PR.... REAL PR, but NOT SALES. Ugh.
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No. 5
from caliotter3
Old Jun 25, 2009, 05:59 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I used to bring business to my agency just because I wanted to and nobody offered commissions to me. To be quite frank, I can't remember even a simple everyday thank you, not that it was necessary.
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No. 6
from nicole109
Old Jul 22, 2009, 08:14 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I think this company is very fishy! I applied to the agency near me, and went in for an interview...first of all, the owner wasn't even a nurse, he had no medical backround at all! That made me nervous, and they hired me right on the spot...didn't want to check my references, employment history or even that my license was valid. That also made me nervous. Further, when I asked about orientation, because I would only be working PRN, they told me that I didn't need any, because I am an RN with 3 years ICU experience and I have wound care experience, that I would be fine. They said they would call me when they needed me to start...I politely left the interview--I would never want anyone of my family or friends being taken care of by a company that runs like that, and I would certainly never work for one like that!
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No. 7
from caliotter3
Old Jul 22, 2009, 08:23 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
Originally Posted by nicole109 View Post
I think this company is very fishy! I applied to the agency near me, and went in for an interview...first of all, the owner wasn't even a nurse, he had no medical backround at all! That made me nervous, and they hired me right on the spot...didn't want to check my references, employment history or even that my license was valid. That also made me nervous. Further, when I asked about orientation, because I would only be working PRN, they told me that I didn't need any, because I am an RN with 3 years ICU experience and I have wound care experience, that I would be fine. They said they would call me when they needed me to start...I politely left the interview--I would never want anyone of my family or friends being taken care of by a company that runs like that, and I would certainly never work for one like that!
The sad part about this comment is that it is common for many employers, even the "reputable" ones. If I stayed away from all the fishy places, I would never be working. I just weigh the fishiness against my estimation of the odds of surviving the fish! (While seeking other places to work).
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No. 8
from MzCool
Old Jul 24, 2009, 01:03 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
Does anyone know how much they pay RN's at bright star?
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No. 9
from paradiseboundRN
Old Jul 24, 2009, 09:14 PM

Default Re: BrightStar Home Health Care- thoughts??
I think they only do non-medical so you really don't need much in the way of nursing skills. I think you write down their meds and do a very basic assessment. That's it!
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