Calling all HH Nurses, roll call

Mijourney · Jun 26, 2001

Hi. Congratulations on becoming a moderator. As far as home health is concerned, I think every health care practitioner including administrative level people in health care should experience the art and science of home visitation. It's nothing like working in the structure of a hospital or other facility. Yes, the paperwork is horrendous and the conditions can be treacherous, but some of the rewards from working out in the field go far beyond what one can get working in between four walls. In some ways, it can turn out to be a spiritual experience.

If you're really in home health to make a difference, you find that you have to rely on senses that you did not know you had. Home health care for me was a maturing experience, because I did not have the resources to refer to as I did in the hospital. Home health nurses work as an individual while working with a team which includes the patient and family as the focus.

If I go to a patient's home, I have to conduct myself in such a way that the patient/family knows that I'm not just in the home to hang an IV, give an injection, or dress a wound. Depending upon how much experience you have and how you typically relate to patients, it may be a little harder to draw a fine line between establishing a friendship and a professional relationship with the patient or family. Those who truly consider themselves as made for home health know what I mean.

There seems to be a bright future for home health by some accounts. I think if home health nurses and nursing staff can really show how we can help a patient or family improve their overall quality of life, show better compliance with their medical regimen, and help provide seamless discharge from inpatient or outpatient facilities while reducing abuse, fraud, and waste, we will be the wave of the future. We just have to have the financial and administrative backing to be able to do what's right by our patients and families.

ucavalpn · Jun 26, 2001

Hi I'm a HHN {LPN} with the V.A. - Our program is a little different than most HH agencies , I think. This is the first time I have worked in HH . I have worked for the V.A. for a long time ,but just started with Home Based Primary Care about 18 months ago. I have always liked my job , but I really love this .We are a small group that workes together very well. I know I have a lot to learn about HH , thats what makes it fun. plus the fact that all the other nurses are FNP's who are willing to teach / explain anything I ask them about . :)

GBOTTOMLEY · Jun 26, 2001

Hi, I am a home health psychiatric nurse in Baldwin County, AL. We are the only agency in south east AL that offers psych service. We are certified in psyche nursing and are approved by HCFA in Washington before we can make field visits.

Our productivity is mandated at 4 visits per day, but we see about 23 per week. Sometimes we do our own admissions, but occaisionaly, the admisssion nurse can hep us out. I drive about 60 miles a day which is a change from the 100 miles a day I used to drive. Even though our specialty is psych, we are expected to do all the care our patients need, including wound care, PEG tubes, As case managers, we have about 24 patients each at this time. There are only 2 field nurses in our county and we cover ALL of it!!!!!!!!!!

Besides my own caseload, I also co-manage with Hospice on many of their cases. We have found this to be extremely beneficial for the patent and family. It certainly helps with the continuity of care.

I'd like to hear from other home health nurses, especially those in psych.

Georgia[

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Jun 26, 2001

Great, thanks for your replies!

Come you other HH nurses, check in!!

lpnandloveit1 · Jun 26, 2001

hi I am an LPN who has done home health for the last 10 years in one form or another. I currently do High tech pediatric home care and work mainly with vent or trached kids. I do shifts (8-10 hr.) and not visits. I work for a Hospital run home care agency so I am paid the rate for hospital LPN'S with my exp. and I get Hospital benifits. If I opted not to get the benifits I would get a higher pay rate but "full time" personell would get staffing before me. I love home care and love having the time to Nurse my pts. instead of Medicating my pts.

lynalv · Jun 29, 2001

Hi, I am an LPN who has been working in HH for only 9 mo. I currently work in pediatric extended care. I work with vents and trached kids. I work 8 to 14 hr shifts. HH has be a joy for me, I finished the ADN program in May of 1999. I did not pass my boards on my first attempt. I also gave birth to a premmie in April of 1999. He has been a true blessing in our lives. Nursing had somewhat taken a back set until only a few months ago. I an only now preparing to retake my boards.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Jun 29, 2001

Hello lpnandloveit1 and lynanv! Since I have some peds backgraound, in the open heart sicu only, they keep trying to get me to do peds at work. Where I am now, peds is very depressing, to me anyway. We do visits, and soooo many of these kids end up referred to DYFS (Div Youth & family sevices in NJ) for neglect and abuse. I feel partly guilty for not doing it, making a difference, but I also know I'd be crying every day.

God Bless those who do peds!! You are special people!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 29, 2001

Hi gals & guys:

Nurse Karen reporting in. I have 16 years home care: Early years focused on IV therapy including pain mgmt and blood administration in the home; Vent dependent teenagers and adults. Broadened out to include all aspects especially complicated wound therapy. Extensive case management including PDA Wavier and Options clients under Office of Aging programs.

Became a clinical coordinator/administrator in 1997 after 2 years of 10-12hr days, having to pick up kids and bring back to work. 2 yrs ago, started in intake/utilization review, sane hours alowing for family life. Started MSN/Family Nurse Practioner program Fall 2000 at Widener University in PA, taking one course a semester, a 4 yr haul. Do per-diem visits on WE prn.

Long term goal: setting up MD/NP housecall program in my area for hombound/disabled children and adults.

Strng advocate for patients: Served as ombudsman to SNF, assisted living and domicilary homes in my county in past. Protective services + I on first name basis.

hiker · Jul 1, 2001

Hi Hooley-han-

Thanks for your note re: the old msg. board sort of relocating here. I never told ya, I used to be a HHN, for a total of about 12 yrs. I miss the running around and the special comaraderie(sp) and rapport generated by seeing folks in THEIR space.( PS I haven't lost a friggin pound, either!)-- KT

LoisJean · Jul 6, 2001

Howdy, Hoolahan! No, I haven't forgotten you and I have your information almost ready to mail out--will let you know.

I'm an LPN for 27 years -the past 10 years as a home health care nurse; I have been self-employed as a community nursing service provider for the past seven years.

Home Health Care is, in my opinion, the ultimate nursing experience! I can't imagine myself doing anything else.

Hope to hear from many nurses out there regarding Home Health Care and their experiences.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Jul 8, 2001

Hi Lois!! I was wondering what happened to you!

I will be anxious to read what you have!!

Hi KT! Glad to hear from you too!