Thinking about HH and VERY nervous!

caliotter3 · Feb 23, 2007

You are probably just going through normal apprehension about a new job.

One thing to consider with hh: If you are interviewing for continuous care (shift) work, you will not have the consistent job security of a regular job unless your agency is so overwhelmed with cases and open shifts that they can keep you busy. This is because you never know how long a particular case will last. Sometimes you can work 40 (or more) hrs per week for one client, usually you have to combine shifts with two or more clients to get 40 hrs. You client may be on service with your agency for the rest of their life, or they may leave service after a few shifts, for any number of reasons. So, you have to consider your need for consistent income when you decide on hh.

If you are going into intermittent (visit) care, you will have a certain daily client load, with its own set of limitations/advantages. This is the area where many people have discussed on this bb instances where they are putting in way more hrs than they are getting compensated for.

There are other considerations, but I would be writing a book.

You also have to consider just getting used to the overall way things are done in hh and how long you will take getting the hang of things.

I strongly suggest that when you interview, you ask for a part time position, where you only fill in around your schedule at your present job so you can try out hh, without trying to commit 100%. Then you can stay employed if the hh situation does not work. In this case you should ask for shift work. For example: If you have Th, Fr free then try to get 2 shifts of hh on these days (preferably with the same client. Hope these comments are helpful. You can find a lot of info on the hh forum (if you haven't read a lot of the threads yet).

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Feb 23, 2007

I can understand your being apprehensive about the change in the focus of your nursing career. I did long term/skilled/subacute nursing for more than 10 years and just this week (!) started as a home health nurse. I am more than a little nervous about being out of my comfort zone...same facility...same staff...same patients..knowing all the regs and paperwork....BUT, I was too burnt out to continue doing what I was doing and am really looking forward to this change. I just finished my first week of orientation and will be shadowing another nurse on Monday. Nervous? Sure. But the change will be worth any nervousness. That's one of the best things about being a nurse....your practice can change along with you. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Cattitude · Feb 24, 2007

i guess i just want to hear it from people who have done this - am i being silly? is this just normal "changing jobs" fear?
thanks for any advice!

i too was very nervous leaving my hospital position after almost 7 years. i felt like i was leaving a very good and dear friend! it ended up being a great decision for me, i probably will never go back to the bedside. i enjoy what i do and make more money than in the hospital.

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[color=#483d8b]there seems to be a great difference in pay and how agencies are run across the country so don't let the posts on this forum scare you.

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[color=#483d8b]read a lot of older posts here and they will anser many questions and stuff you should ask at your interview. good luck!!:nuke:

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KellieNurse06 · Feb 24, 2007

That's great! Are you doing just visits or block time? Peds or adults?

I have nurses in my home for my child they do 4 hour shifts to 10 hour shifts..sometimes 12 hour shifts.....they love it here...2 have been with us for 10 years...... It's one of those fields where you love it or hate it....

Just remember that homecare is alot different than acute care (more laid back, but more responsibilty care wise).....if you take peds.....just remember the parents should be consulted before jumping the gun to get on the phone to the docs..unless of course it is an emergent situation where it is necessary. I have dealt with new nurses in my home that were let's just say..over zealous on calling docs when it wasn't really necessary, like when the parents could do something instead of the nurse & save a call.....and I have a great relationship with all the docs of my child.......so just don't get in the mode of "do you have a docs order for that" type of thinking......anything the nurse does....of course we all know needs an order....but if the parent wants to give tylenol or a cold med or something like that.......don't immediately jump on asking if they have a docs order..........as long as you aren't giving it.....just note it in your notes. I had a nurse once who did this to me & I just very casually asked if she called her doc for an order everytime she gave it to her own kids.......it never happened again! lol!.......... I am actually going to start a homecare job myself/......andf yes I am nervous too.....only because being on the other side is different than being the nurse .......be cool, relax & you'll do fine! Just remember YOU are a guest in the patients home........one thing I can tell you that drove me nuts with some nurses are they forget they were in someones home.......that's all!......The ones I have now are pretty good.........

You may love homecare!!! Good Luck & let us know how it's going!!!! :nuke:

Wgbem · Feb 24, 2007

There are so many options in home health care that you will be fine. I have been a home health care nurse for 4 years. Have been a nurse for 20 years. I have done varied things but find home care to be the best type of nursing. I was also just laid off from a position for a company that I worked for for 4 years. Each company runs differently. Management was their problem. Loved the patients and having to send each one to a new agency was heartbreaking. I have a great new position now as the home care coordinator for a long term care program. You will be fine. And as you stated, if you do not like it, you can come back to the hospitals (probably step right back into your same position but can now negotiate for more money with the years of experience). I doubt you will though once you taste home care. Good luck.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 27, 2007

I went to HH after 23+ years at the hospital. I am Home Health Happy and do not miss the hospital one bit.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 1, 2007

OKAY...so now I have a beeper AND a cell phone AND a bag with supplies AND a bag with a scale and next month a bag with a computer!!! Do all y'all find this manageable? Oh yeah...AND I have to bring my schedule with me to document the visit length AND travel time AND AND AND~~!!! I'm beginning to miss my desk with my cup full of pens and my day planner!

Cattitude · Mar 2, 2007

OKAY...so now I have a beeper AND a cell phone AND a bag with supplies AND a bag with a scale and next month a bag with a computer!!! Do all y'all find this manageable? Oh yeah...AND I have to bring my schedule with me to document the visit length AND travel time AND AND AND~~!!! I'm beginning to miss my desk with my cup full of pens and my day planner!

Oh honey, my trunk is a disaster! It's almost time for Spring cleaning. See the trunk IS my office, my desk, etc... LOL, you'll get used to it. I find I work much better when my car is clean and smells nice, it's a mental thing:specs: . I know it's a lot of stuff, I keep organizers with folders in my car and trunk to keep everything separate. Every little but helps.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 2, 2007

I am not a HH nurse but did go thru a big job change and it is very stressful. Take a deep breath and go for it.

laydeern · Nov 30, 2007

hello, i am new to this site and just came across your post, looks like it was from several months ago?? Anyway, your story sounds very very similar to mine and was just wondering if you made the switch to HH nursing and how it went? I have an interview tomorrow and i'm very nervous and unsure...

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2007

OKAY...so now I have a beeper AND a cell phone AND a bag with supplies AND a bag with a scale and next month a bag with a computer!!! Do all y'all find this manageable? Oh yeah...AND I have to bring my schedule with me to document the visit length AND travel time AND AND AND~~!!! I'm beginning to miss my desk with my cup full of pens and my day planner!

LOL !!! I have a box in my passenger seat (strapped in with seatbelt!) in which I keep various files and folders for ALL my documentation/teaching. etc. things. It's all very organized that way.

In my back seat I have a place for my "take into the home bag".

And in my truck I have a large plastic storage tub with ALL my extra "in case I need this" supplies.

Our agency keeps all the scales, and should a patient need one, we then take it with us to the home. We don't keep them in our cars.

I also keep my clipboard on the front seat with me to documnet my miles, and keep my visit schedule on it for reference.

Actually, I don't find chaotic or unmanageable in the least.

But them, I'm one of those VERY ORGANIZED types.

"Everything has a place, and there's a place for everything" types. :lol2:

And oh ! I'll be HAPPY to take your laptop off your hands if it's just getting too much for you !!! :rotfl:

We are still waiting... and waiting.... and WAITING for ours. :rolleyes:

hello, i am new to this site and just came across your post, looks like it was from several months ago?? Anyway, your story sounds very very similar to mine and was just wondering if you made the switch to HH nursing and how it went? I have an interview tomorrow and i'm very nervous and unsure...

Wish you luck with the interview ! Everyone has different experiences with HH as it depends much on what kind of set up your agency has.

Let us know what you decide! As for me... I love it. :)