Could a recent graduate do home health?

[csiln]

I tried to get responses within another thread to no avail. Hope someone will be able to give me some advice.

I am 55 and graduated last Dec. Hospital nursing was very frustrating -- either too many patients (18) or, in another hospital, too little orientation (5 days with a preceptor). I haven't worked in 3 months now because I'm wondering what went wrong and should I just give it up. However, several friends and past fellow students have encouraged me to get into home health because I have very good client relationship skills and just need the opportunity to learn the ropes (especially paperwork). The Dept. of Health is hiring home health nurses right now and, if I'm reading the requirements correctly, does not list experience as necessary.

However, (sorry this is so long) what do you that are in home health think about someone with no experience getting into it. Will it be another frustrating experience? Will I get an orientation?

Thanking all of you who take the time to answer.

[AmPmRnoncall]

2 things to ask on your interview. "how long is orientation?" (which should be no shorter that 4 weeks) and up to a year with a mentor. #2 "what is the service area I am expected to cover?" (you sould only be expected to do 4-5 visits per day. EXPECT LOTS OF PAPERWORK.. and don't get frustrated to easily. takes time.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I have worked for a really awful and corrupt agency and for a top notch agency. Both hires new grads. Just investigate the agency before you apply.

[Jo Dirt]

I have never worked in a hospital and spent most of my years in a low skill nursing home. I'm having to learn as I go along. I'm still not very good at blood draws and I won't even attempt to flush or access a port-a-cath or remove a PICC line. I have told the boss numerous times that I will not have any hard feelings if they want me to leave so a more competent person can take over but she won't hear it. She says my attitude makes all the difference in the world and I will learn the rest with time.

Maybe I'm tooting my own horn, but I am usually commended on my easy-going, eager to please attitude. I rarely complain, and I have never refused to do anything that was asked of me aside from things that require skills I don't have.

It's funny, too, because recently a very experienced and capable nurse was fired because she was refusing to go see certain patients and the last time she was asked to do something unexpectedly she got in the bosses face and the boss told her to get the he(( out and never come back.

Your attitude can make all the difference. Just hang in there and be willing to learn and they will love you for it.

[Cattitude]

i have never worked in a hospital and spent most of my years in a low skill nursing home. i'm having to learn as i go along. i'm still not very good at blood draws and i won't even attempt to flush or access a port-a-cath or remove a picc line. i have told the boss numerous times that i will not have any hard feelings if they want me to leave so a more competent person can take over but she won't hear it. she says my attitude makes all the difference in the world and i will learn the rest with time.

maybe i'm tooting my own horn, but i am usually commended on my easy-going, eager to please attitude. i rarely complain, and i have never refused to do anything that was asked of me aside from things that require skills i don't have.

it's funny, too, because recently a very experienced and capable nurse was fired because she was refusing to go see certain patients and the last time she was asked to do something unexpectedly she got in the bosses face and the boss told her to get the he(( out and never come back.

your attitude can make all the difference. just hang in there and be willing to learn and they will love you for it.

i completely respect your opinion and do agree that a good attitude can make a big difference. correct me if i am wrong but i think you work for a chha? here in ny that's considered short term home care, acute stuff like post op wound care, abx. therapy, foley's, etc. in other words pt's don't stay on the program for long?

i work in a program that deals with pt's with chronic issues. yes at times they may have acute problems as well but our focus is keeping them home and out of ltc/nursing homes.

the reason that i don't think a new grad should go into my area is because you really need experience and good assessment skills to detect subtle changes. i had one instance where i was a major factor in helping a woman get dx'd with esophageal ca and getting early treatment. this was due to my experience in assessing, not tootin' my own horn i swear!

anyway, just my own two cents, new grads, get a little experience and come on over to home health!

beez

[Jo Dirt]

I don't know what a CHHA is...but they try to hold onto these people as long as possible. Milk it for all it's worth...but since I'm no good at technical stuff or anything requiring any real knowledge I get sent out to do admissions, RCT's and SOC's. I can fill out those OASIS forms all day long, and I'm good at it. I rarely ever them back with any sticky notes.

I guess I'm a paperwork nurse and to be perfectly honest, I'd rather stay a paperwork nurse. But you know what they say about those.