PRN Home Health??

Specialties Home Health

Published

What's it like working PRN in home health? Do they call you to come in a lot on short notice or do you typically know a few days in advance when you have to go into work? This new HH position I accepted requires PRN to work a certain amount of hours a month, but if I have completed these hours lets say in a few days, and I don't really want to work until the next month, will I still get tons of calls? If i turn down a few shifts, i will be put in an inactive status. Just trying to figure out how all of this works. I have small children at home and don't want this to turn into a full time position, I just want to keep my skills fresh and make a little extra money. basically I'm trying to have the best of both worlds: being a stay at home mom, and doing what I love as a nurse. Is this possible lol?? Help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do LTC! I stay at home and work PRN on mg husbands off days only. I have to pick up at least one shift a month but most of the time I want more than that. I actually wish they would call me more lol I love being PRN, you never get tied up in the drama. I am in and out like a thief in the night, give good care, go home!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work PRN in home health, I also have a regular full time job. I'm sure t depends in the company and the managers. In my situation, they call me last minute, they sometimes schedule visits ahead of time, but I always feel free to say no. They are always very kind about it. And very appreciative of the extra help. From doing staffing for years as a DON I understand its frustrating when you have a PRN person who always says no. If you have a sort of set amount you want to do, I'd be honest up front so they understand. Hope that helps.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

PRN in home care can work a couple of different ways. If you agree to case manage, then they will give you a couple of cases and you will need to see these patients 1-2x week until discharge. If you don't want to case manage, you can do SOC's or visits for other nurses patients. If you don't want to get called in then don't case manage and be specific that you are only available certain days. If they call you and you always say "no". They will stop asking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do prn HH, and generally love it. The only downside is that they aren't obligated to give me any patients if they aren't busy. The fulltime staff get their schedules filled first, of course. so my paychecks go up and down, but I'm also not obligated to work a specific amount, either.

At our agency, RNs case manage, so normally if I get asked to do a SOC, I'll follow that pt until DC. Sometimes will be asked to do a SOC or regular visit for a fulltimer that has a very full day, but not often.

I usually make out my schedule for the upcoming week and let my clinical manager know if there are any days where I'm not available. This way I'm not constantly saying no to their calls.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

I loved being contingent (PRN). I could take days off any time I wanted as long as my patients were covered. I didn't take that much time off but it was nice knowing that I could!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

Home health is always looking for nurses to work the weekends. That area do you live in? My office is always hiring.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello rnMomm, I'm also in South Florida and am almost finished with Capscare. I've been out for 17 years, my last job was in homecare and am looking to start back there at least for now. I saw an ad in the local paper for Carter/Allied and since there was an actual # to call, I gave it a whirl. The women was very nice and told me to fill out the on line app even though

I don't have a resume yet (not that I have anything to put on it anyway!). The app proved more difficult than I thought. What should I put for salary? I really have very little idea. Also, they want to know my supervisors names.Again,I have no idea! I can picture them but no names come to mind! I called the hospital that the home agency was affiliated with to see if they could help. I think they thought I was daft! I don't ever remember filling out any job applications in the past although Im sure I did. In the old days they would hire you if you had a pulse! Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello rnMomm, I'm also in South Florida and am almost finished with Capscare. I've been out for 17 years, my last job was in homecare and am looking to start back there at least for now. I saw an ad in the local paper for Carter/Allied and since there was an actual # to call, I gave it a whirl. The women was very nice and told me to fill out the on line app even though

I don't have a resume yet (not that I have anything to put on it anyway!). The app proved more difficult than I thought. What should I put for salary? I really have very little idea. Also, they want to know my supervisors names.Again,I have no idea! I can picture them but no names come to mind! I called the hospital that the home agency was affiliated with to see if they could help. I think they thought I was daft! I don't ever remember filling out any job applications in the past although Im sure I did. In the old days they would hire you if you had a pulse! Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

If I'm reading this correctly you are saying you have not worked for 17 years? You still need a resume. Include anything you have participated in. We're you a room mom at your kid's school? Volunteer efforts, PTA, do you organize events? You want to showcase organization skills, communication, team work, and autonomy. Don't worry about putting previous employers on your résumé since it has been so long. As for the online apps you can probably fill out the blanks with N/A.

As for salary go to http://www.salary.com and fill out the info for the job you are applying for and it will give you a realistic number. It was very accurate for my area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes. You are reading that correctly. :). I did quite a bit of volunteering in my children's schools but I doubt cleaning up spilled chocolate milk in the lunchroom with a 32 oz mop ( that's custodian speak) MWF is going to be of any value to a future employers. There was occasional vomit though! :) I entered the info into salary.com. Should I go low on the bell curve since I'm basically a newbie? Did they train you in oasis? Thanks for responding and helping me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yes. You are reading that correctly. :). I did quite a bit of volunteering in my children's schools but I doubt cleaning up spilled chocolate milk in the lunchroom with a 32 oz mop ( that's custodian speak) MWF is going to be of any value to a future employers. There was occasional vomit though! :) I entered the info into salary.com. Should I go low on the bell curve since I'm basically a newbie? Did they train you in oasis? Thanks for responding and helping me.

I was a stay at home mom for 17 years. I was also the room mother in my kids classes and substituted for their teacher, lead their craft time, chaperoned field trips, brushed the hair of 100 kids on picture day, cooked dinner every night and the meat, veggies, and bread were all ready at the same time and on time.

So from my above list I can say I am organized, patient, willing to jump in and help at a moment's notice. I am dependable and trustworthy. (I'm a used car. LOL)

Make a list for yourself and add all the attributes. Then write a short paragraph that details these attributes. Be kind to yourself and know that the things you did were valuable and required attention to detail. When your interviewer says, "tell me about yourself" have this memorized and then flow from this to your nursing career goals.

Shoot for the median, you might not get it but salary is usually negotiable. They will train you in OASIS.

Most of all remember that you were a SAHM by choice and its okay to say that, to be proud of this part of your life and you were grateful for the opportunity to do just that. Be confident!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was a stay at home mom for 17 years. I was also the room mother in my kids classes and substituted for their teacher, lead their craft time, chaperoned field trips, brushed the hair of 100 kids on picture day, cooked dinner every night and the meat, veggies, and bread were all ready at the same time and on time.

So from my above list I can say I am organized, patient, willing to jump in and help at a moment's notice. I am dependable and trustworthy. (I'm a used car. LOL)

Make a list for yourself and add all the attributes. Then write a short paragraph that details these attributes. Be kind to yourself and know that the things you did were valuable and required attention to detail. When your interviewer says, "tell me about yourself" have this memorized and then flow from this to your nursing career goals.

Shoot for the median, you might not get it but salary is usually negotiable. They will train you in OASIS.

Most of all remember that you were a SAHM by choice and its okay to say that, to be proud of this part of your life and you were grateful for the opportunity to do just that. Be confident!

Thank you. You gave me some good advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment