New RN in Home Care

[mrose1993]

Hello all

I have been working as an RN for 6 months as a visiting nurse in home care. It was the only job offer I got after getting registered, I figured I would try it out while I look for another job to gain some experience. However after 6 months and no other job offers I've found that home care is really not what I want to do. Although I have been getting a lot of experience (starting IVs, CVAD management, wound care) I'm genuinely not happy - I wake up not wanting to go to work most days and with the on call and evening shifts it becomes a lot to handle at times. I have been applying tirelessly to hospital positions as that's where I really want to be with no luck whatsoever. My passion is in pediatrics so that's where I eventually want to end up. I am starting to get to my wits end with home care and really want to move on. I don't want to quit before I find another job as I feel that would look bad to potential employers, but I am really unhappy where I am at the moment. Some days I come home from work crying from frustration. I have nothing bad to say about my company... they have been good with guiding me as a new nurse. I have just discovered that home care is not for me. I do not like the unpredictable nature of the day to day scheduling and the driving around is becoming too much. My schedule varies and some times I can find myself working all day and all night (13+ hours) depending on how busy we are. I cover a wide area which means I am sometimes visiting patients over an hour away. I am really hoping to find something with a more stable schedule where I have set hours.

Wondering if anyone has any advice or suggestions for me!

Also just a side note... My fourth year placements for school (general medicine and occupational health) were not in the area where I live, which is where I have been applying for jobs. So my networking has not been as good compared to my peers who were able to get placements where they wanted to work and were hired right out of school. I also feel that although I really enjoyed my placement in occupational health it put me behind the eight ball compared to my peers who were able to get placements in acute care settings.

Any advice or guidance from fellow nurses would be greatly appreciated!

[Libby1987]

If you like the patient management aspect you could consider applying for a home health position within a large system and then moving into a care management position. Or a coordinator/management position within home care. Or having your foot in the door of a large system for an acute care position.

Home health experience isn't common and after obtaining 1-2 years you will be more marketable and well received.

[MJPN2012]

Just a suggestion, but maybe a different type of home care. I have worked for a home health company for 3 years that provides continuous care for pediatric patients. I decided after 2 years that I would work in a hospital, and found that I hated it compared to my home health job. It may be different in your area, but we have several companies that provide continuous care. I pick my own schedule and I work 3 12s a week, but I could work whatever I want. I care for one patient all night. These children are often on ventilators or have g-tubes and need 24/7 care. If you could find something similar, you may be happier until you find a more desirable position for you.

[ontnursec]

If you like the company you work for, could you bring your concerns to them? Is working 13 hours a day something you are taking on yourself because you feel a duty to, or is the company pressuring you to do it? I ask this because you clearly recognize it's too much, but it doesn't seem like you're looking for ways to do some self care and set limits so you don't burn out. If the agency has been great with you as a new grad, I'm sure they will be receptive to your concerns regarding long hours and too much driving. They have invested time and I'm sure they want you to thrive.

That said, home care isn't for everyone and you need to decide whether you want to stay.