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Think I've come to a fork in the road



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Oct 22, 2007 09:42 PM

Think I've come to a fork in the road


Some of us just seem to take longer to find our niche I guess. The fact that I came into nursing at 50, I believe, also plays a big role. I had so hoped that HH was going to be the last stop on the career train. I just can't keep up with the paperwork. If it was just an OASIS for our new evals, it wouldn't be so bad. It's all the other paper work. Between the OASIS and the other papers, I counted no less than 45 pages with every new eval. My off time has blurred together with my work time. My house looks like pigs moved in. My personal matters have gone unattended to. Bills have been paid late. I've had chest pain and nausea while my DOCS is never satisfied with all the effort and time I put in. It's too bad. I love the patient interaction and genuinely want to help.

Next stop, something more structured with weekdays only, nights and weekends off and HOLIDAYS. I've learned what I like, what I'm good at and what I want. I won't settle for less.

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11 Comments
No. 1
from zoo4uRN
Old Oct 23, 2007, 03:01 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
Sounds like you really do need a change. Do you think a change of agency would help, or is HH just not a good fit for you? I'm sure you'll find the perfect place to use your gifts. Wishing you the very best in your future endeavors.

Debbie
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No. 2
from wonderbee
Old Oct 23, 2007, 03:55 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
I think the fact that I've worked the last three weekends has a lot to do with how I feel. I've thought of an agency change. There would still be some run over from work time into personal time and probably some on call and weekends. Also with winter coming, the rural roads in the Pittsburgh region can be a real challenge. I might be better off giving up my trekking across the countryside for something a little less adventurous. I do wonder if every agency does as mucy paper work as we do. A 48 hour turnaround is required. It doesn't take long to get backed up.

There are quite few RN positions available in local MD offices. It is time for a change. Thanks for responding.
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No. 3
from santhony44
Old Oct 23, 2007, 10:13 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
Office nursing can be good, but look carefully at each situation and ask lots of questions.

I've known of office nurses who work until 7 or 8 PM every night, even if the office closes at 5, doing patient call-backs and so forth. Also, some docs expect their office staff to do everything, up to and including cleaning toilets!

Get a really clear idea of expectations before you accept an office job.

Good luck!
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No. 4
from zoo4uRN
Old Oct 23, 2007, 03:46 PM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
Wow! That brings back lots of memories from when I worked dental for many years, prior to nursing. Didn't have to make patient calls after hours, but there was always "stuff" that needed to done after hours to try and keep your head above water the next day. I was pretty lucky-I worked for a great group of docs, and we had wonderful, long-term staff. I miss those days.

Really good advice, santhony44!
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No. 5
from wonderbee
Old Oct 25, 2007, 05:57 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
Really! Cleaning toilets? Ewww.

I did however give my notice two days ago and had my exit interview. My orientation to HH sucked. By 3 weeks out, I had my own full load for case management. I kept asking for a reduced schedule but no one listened. My ED says she was unaware that I had been asking for a life line. No matter. What's done is done. I broke my rule of quitting a job before having another. I'll stay on where I'm at per diem with no case management duties since I have nothing definite waiting in the wings.
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No. 6
from caliotter3
Old Nov 13, 2007, 04:25 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
I highly suggest that you find an agency where you can insist that you do patient care cases only; shift work or extended care. The only paperwork you will be responsible for is your documentation sheet for the one shift you do that day. Don't let them persuade you to do the OASIS and other paperwork for the case cuz you're an RN. If your city has a Maxim office, or they are in a nearby city, they are good about hiring RNs to do shift work. Another suggestion might be Interim. Gentiva also has home health offices, but not widely spread. It would be a shame for you to leave home health because you didn't get the type of job that might make it work for you. Good luck in finding a good position.
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No. 7
from barefootlady
Old Nov 13, 2007, 10:49 AM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
Kitty,
You hit my reasons for hating HH on the head. Too much paper work and too many cases to keep paperwork up to date and have a life. No help from managers, no thought to where some of these people are and road conditions getting to them. Lord, I hated HH. I know it fills a big need for most patients, too bad the agencies do not appreciate the staff.
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No. 8
from jnette
Old Nov 13, 2007, 02:55 PM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
hmmmmmmmmmmm... our agency appreciates us.

I think where most of you are getting burned out is the "case management" aspect.

I'm grateful our agency doesn't do case management. We have office staff who do all that part... we just do the visits, and are responsible for out daily visit notes, and the occas'l admission/recert/post-hospital or discharge OASIS. And even with those, we don't have to look up ICD9 coding.. office fill those in.

I love my HH agency.. love what I do!
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No. 9
from wonderbee
Old Nov 13, 2007, 05:33 PM

Default Re: Think I've come to a fork in the road
You know, I love these forums. It gives us opportunities to work out the kinks together. I have come to the same conclusions that several others of you have. I would do well to accept a job doing either admissions or visits, but not both with case management responsibilities. It could be either HH or hospice. So I'm not throwing out the baby with the bath water. I have interviews with a couple of agencies. One is for a HH admissions nurse for a large national company using computer documentation, a real plus in my book; and a hospice admissions nurse. The HH admissions position is per visit, either FT or 3 days a week. The hospice position is full time and I don't know how the compensation works for that one.
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