Home Health not what I thought it would be advice, anyone???

Specialties Home Health

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I was an LPN for 7 years working in LTC and medical clinics. I went to RN school to work in acute care. What was I thinking, going into Home Health??? Please, someone kick me.

I took the job right out of RN school last October. I just couldnt get past the huge paycheck (average 75,000 a year) so I jumped on the offer. The only problem is,,,, it reminds me too much of long-term care. I feel like I'm not really doing anything to help people sometimes. I guess I'm just burnt out. Plus the company I work for is great and all, but when an RN takes call (every 3rd weekend) you have to work 12 days straight. That really sucks!!! I went to RN school to work less, not more.

plus, its like,,,,, so hard to keep up with whats going on with all of my patients in home care. the doctors never call back like they say they will,,,,, the patients are so non compliant, people refuse visits or are never at home. its like i feel like i cant do this job another day, but im not one to quit without giving a 2 week or more notice. after all, the company was nice enough to hire me as a new RN with only LPN experience.

I applied for a few jobs (ER MED SURG PCU) and it kinda looks like ill be taking a med surg job, due to not having ACLS or code experience. Which is fine with me, but im just worried if ill be able to handle 6 or 7 med surg patients on a medical floor night shift. does that ratio sounds pretty safe?? im not a newbie, have been an LPN for 7 years and an RN for 9 months. so any advice would be much appreciated. i just hope i make the right decision,,, as im not one to job hop. thnx,,,,,, johnny

p.s plus the saying the more you make the more they take is TRUE... i made 3,200 dollars these last 2 weeks and only took home 2400 of it!!!:o im just SOOOO unhappy!!!

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Most people make the reverse career change that you are making; they go from the hospital setting to home health. If this is what you want to do, then go for it. But IMHO, I think you should take a good vacation first and relax before you jump ship. You may need a vacation to make certain that it is not fatigue making the decision for you. Good luck in whatever you do.

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Specializes in Lie detection.

I went from SICU to Home Health and I think it's pretty darn sweet.

No nights, no holidays and only every 7th weekend on call (just started that).

I make great money, my pt's are wonderful, I have a steady caseload. Yea there are plenty of annoyances at times but what job doesn't have that?

HH isn't for everyone, did you give it enough time?

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well, my boss told me to give it about 6 months, and it seems the longer im in it the longer i hate it. its just not cool to me. yeah the money is good, but i miss having co-workers and i miss having a clean car, and i miss not bringing paperwork home. if i were like u and only had call every 7th week i wouldnt be so bitter. u try working 12 days straight every 3rd weekend,,,,, it frazzles you. it seems like my life is zooming by and all i do is live for work. im usually not this negative :D

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

Johnny,

Thanks for the post. I felt the same way about home care. That's why I left the home care scene. I got SICK and TIRED of the charting, getting lost, fearing for my well being, and I could go on and on and on...

You're right. I'd plan out my schedule, call the pts and set up my day only to get to their home and find they just left.

They want an EXACT time to expect you, as if they are your only patient! The non-compliance, roaches, mice, gunshots. That'll do it! It just became not worth it. The prices of gas. The compensation they gave for gas came no where near the actual price of gas.

And I am not the kind of person that could ever be on-call. Don't be calling me at 1am under any circumstances!

Sorry for the rant. some things just aren't worth the money.

J

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Specializes in Home Health.

I worked in Home Health for 3 years and loved it. My car didnt love it. I put on 100 miles each day. we took call and I hated it but never worked 12 days in a row unless we wanted it. Pt call at 3am for stupid reasons. I did like being by myself in my car and almost no contact with doctors. The case managers handled the Dr calls. Always had time with coworkers in the office before, in between and after appointments. Liked having one pt at a time. I would still do it if they loaned me a car.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, TELE.

I know you are not from California. Try Hospice

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Specializes in Lie detection.
I worked in Home Health for 3 years and loved it. My car didnt love it. I put on 100 miles each day.

I put roughly about 10-15 miles per day on my car just for patients as they are pretty close together. If i cover another nurse, it may go up to 25 but thats it.

I hear a lot of nurse's complain about wear and tear on the car and at first I agreed. But then I thought about the rigors of hospital bedside work and thoght "what about the wear and tear on your BODY?" I don't have THAT now ;).

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

You just might need to look at various home health agency's in your area before throwing in the towel.

Three companies I've worked with for past 22 years all had various requirements re WE work commitment. Those that are VNA based usually DO NOT have you working 12 straight. We give our staff off 1 day before and 1day off after WE worked: My staff usually take off Thursday before and Monday after WE worked for ease continuity of care.

Paperwork is always there--minimized when your using laptop computer once get adjusted to system.

Adequately staffed agencies don't keep begging you to pick up patients. Nationwide average is 5.2 visits/day.

Plastic file crate great for organizing papers one does need to carry so not all over trunk and backseat. Found magazine file great to keep between front seats for that days field charts/admit folders.

Teaching material I kept in 3 ring binder in plastic sleeve, highlighted last copy so could take it in make copies.

Despite that, sure beats call lights going off, paging repeatedly in middle bedbath/extensive wound care and arrogant hospital docs. Most PCP's grateful for RN's advice/eyes and ears. Patients + most families value you too, especially when helped improve your patients daily functioning, keeping em OUT of the hospital and in that comfy LR chair.

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Home health is not for everyone but if you are organized and est a relationship with your regular patients, it can really be worth it. a vacation may be a good idea. we normally tell new hires to try home health for about 6 months to a year before they become comfortable. Home health is hard work but it can really be rewarding.

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Worked in a hospital before changing to HH 3 mos. ago. I also take call every 3rd week, but get a day off during my call week. Organization is key in HH, yes the car is messy - but you get to know your patients! I would have loved the hospital IF I would have had 7 patients - does not happen often. Families are demanding in the hospital also, usually at home you are appreciated and not treated like a waitress. Take a break, check out other agencies, or see if you can "shadow" at a hospital before switching. Good luck

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well, my boss told me to give it about 6 months, and it seems the longer im in it the longer i hate it. its just not cool to me. yeah the money is good, but i miss having co-workers and i miss having a clean car, and i miss not bringing paperwork home. if i were like u and only had call every 7th week i wouldnt be so bitter. u try working 12 days straight every 3rd weekend,,,,, it frazzles you. it seems like my life is zooming by and all i do is live for work. im usually not this negative :D

Try working 12 weeks without a day off, that is literally what I did (at the end of my home health job.) I got so burned out after eight months of home health I vowed to get out of nursing altogether. I see nothing but praise for it on here but I know I can't be the only person who hates doing home health.

Wearing out your car, having to go in a bunch of different peoples' houses, having people expect you to be creative to find reasons ot keep sending nurses for BS visits to teach about meds and monitor disease processes, having your cell and home phone ringing off the hook, and what really irked me is the way office staff acted about the field nurses---their reasoning was if you weren't in the office you weren't at work. I took an $8/hr paycut for a much lower stress job and it's so worth it.

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