help with home health or other

[lpnga]

Hi, I am new to this web site. I am currently taking my pre reqs and start the LPN program in April. I am very excited and can't wait. I am just very confused on where I want to work and how far I want to take this degree. I want to enjoy what I am doing as well as make a confortable living. I want to work in NICU today and Home Health next week. I change my mind so much. What is the difference in home health and hospice? I want to get my LPN then to the bridge program from lpn to rn. Then do the bridge from RN to BSN. I have to do it this way due to children and family. What is the best place to work,,hospital unit..home health. etc..... I would like to work 8-5 but can handle 12 hour shifts. what do I do?????? CAn you work with travel agencies to just place you close to home like maybe over a few counties . I am near 5 hospital...and can get to a few more in on hour drive..CAn you do this?? Any advice??thanks you can email me if you like at [email protected] thanks:confused:

[caliotter3]

Many areas or specialties will put up the "one year experience" barrier. You are lucky to live near five hospitals. I think it would be to your advantage to start out with a med/surg position at one. Look for the places that offer new grad programs. You can always change places of employment down the road. If you get that initial year of M/S out of the way, it should prove to be easier to get what you want. Also by that time, you might have a better idea of what you would like to try. Look around this site and you will find many examples of nurses who make changes even with many years experience in one area. That is one of the benefits of nursing. You also should seriously consider getting your CNA and working part time. This is a good way to get a view of different practice settings and it might help you decide what you like.

[CardioTrans, BSN, RN]

Hi there. I agree with caliotter....... you need to have at least 1 yr experience on a med surg unit before venturing into home health. You will be able to improve your assessment skills not to mention the actual skills themselves. In home health you are all by yourself and have no one to ask for help with something. Most places like said above will want 1 yrs exp. Home health and hospice are different in the aspect of that in hospice....... the main treatment is "pallative care" "No life prolonging" acts. Not to mention the guidelines set by insurance and medicare.

Once you start your clinicals you will be able to see alot of the different areas of nursing and that will help you decide as well.