Calling all HH Nurses, roll call

Hi All,
I have been a nurse for 21 years. I was an LPN for 10 yrs, 7 years on a med/surg/telemetry floor and 3 doing private duty/staff relief. I have been an RN since then and worked in ICU/CCU for 2 years then went to Home Care. I was a Case Manager for 6 yrs.
We purchased a new computer program last year and I have been closely working with the implementation team and education, QA... ever since then. I love it! I am also 1/2way through my BSN degree.
Glad to be a part of this Forum!

Welcome, Deb. Feel free to post anything of interest or any HH questions. We all learn from each other. Karen.

Welcome debj6296

Was a acute care nurse (RN) for 13 years and the directors position opened up at my agency. Have now been in Home Health since 1998. Love every minute of it. Like to go the extra mile for my clients and not get made fun of or looked down upon like I did in acute care. PPS took a toll on my agency. Thank god the staff saw what was coming and graciously found other jobs before I had to lay them off. My patients and staff are the most important things to me. I really can't describe my feelings for Home Health. OASIS has been a real pain but we hang on just so we can keep clients out of nursing homes and hospitals.

Welcome, Leader (and Deb, too); Hi, Hoolihan! It's been awhile since I've been able to post.

Medicaid cuts have been our problem of late. Since mine is an independent home care business we have some leeway in deciding how best to continue serving our clients on an out of pocket basis....still, I believe that no matter what the circumstance or situation, Home Health Care is all I'll ever want to do! I love it so! Thanks for your post, Leader.

Lois

I have been a psych HH RN for over a year. Prior to that I worked in community mental health and psych crisis. I tried the med surg thing recently and hated it! I had NO time to get to know my patients or even educate them. Plus, the loss of autonomy was frustrating. I love being out there, making an assessment, calling the doc, and getting my orders without fighting (usually ). This is what I love and where I belong. In all reality, at least I have time to complete all the paperwork rather than stay at work for 16 hours to finish it all.

HI!
I'm new to message boards - Wanted to let you all know that I am a Home Health Nurse too - have been an RN for 27 years - have been in Home Health for the last 7 years!

I too love HH but am getting so-o-o frustrated with the paperwork. Having trouble keeping up (and out of trouble).

Don't know if I'm getting to old for this - or if my health is interfering - OR WHAT!

Can't imagine doing anything else and am unable to "work the floor" at a hosp. or NH (due to a car accident that I had "in the line of duty" prohibiting my being on my feet for that long).

I can use any suggestions/help with managing the paperwork without working all of my off time to keep up! I work full time!

Even it you have no suggestions - would be glad to talk and to find out what others over 50 or Nurses with health problems are doing and how other HH nurses are handling the paperwork!!!