want info about working in home health

Specialties Home Health

Published

i was recently offererd a position with a reputable VNA ( one of the largest in the US) that provides a one year orientation. my concerns are, what are the downsides of doing home health, and will i be putting in 12 hour days every day? what about call, and other things i dont now about but should before i get into this? any info from you wonderful peers would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Congratulations. Working for such a large HHA should provide you with some good benefits. A year orientation seems awfully long. Read back on some of the past posts to get little idea about some of the things we love, hate, face in HH.

As I was told, it's either something you love or something you hate. Being a hh nurse is about the most autonomous you will ever be in nursing. It is also the area of nursing where you really get to do all aspects of nursing from the skills to the teaching, psychosocial, etc.

I don't know how big your agency is or what types of cases you all see. Our branch has now about 100 patients. We vary across the board from once a month injections, simple wounds, complicated wounds with wound vacs, IV's, hospice, status post ortho, you name it, you'll see it in home health.

Some days are long and tough and others are gravy. You just never know what kind of a day you will have. There is alot of paperwork- more than in any other type of nursing, but you will get used to it. Just like adjusting to any new job, everything will take you much longer at first, but you will get into your own groove.

I love the flexibility. Right now I am taking 17 credits at college toward my BSN. I can work things around my school and I love that. Taking call really varies agency to agency. At ours we get $10 for weeknight call and $20 for weekend call plus any visits that have to be made. Some nights are awful, others the beeper is quiet. The pay at my agency isn't great but the people I work with are.

Depending on your coverage area there may be lots of travel. We cover a large rural area and I have had 200 mile days not counting my drive home. Your car will become your second home and your best friend. You will never be able to have anyone ride in the passenger seat again because it will be filled with paperwork, syringes, fast food bags, etc. If you are in urban areas the driving won't be so extensive but you need to be careful about different neighborhoods. Also in the rural area safety needs to be a priority. We have had to deal with an explosion of meth lab problems here and have had several encounters. Just use common sense and precaution.

I love all of the people I meet and have learned so much doing home health. I really feel like I can practice the true art of nursing in this area.

Good luck to you!

Ann

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thanks ann for your info. ill give it a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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3 problems with home health

1, the paper work

2, the paperwork

3, the paper work

that about covers it.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I would ask about the on call. Sometimes can be bad, other times okay. Depends on what On Call means? Where I used to work on call was working call. Sometimes 3 to 8 admissions over the weekend and managing the phone which is hard when your on the road. Other places on call means just the calls and they have staff covering the field. I have been in roach infested homes and very nice ones. I have been robbed twice of my bag in inner city Toledo, had a gun pulled on me (loaded by the way), been accosted by several men. Mind you that is over about 12 years so that is actually very good. I have always put in long hours. Is the VNA computerized, helps alot.

I love home health though. Does that help? Let me look at your post and see if I responded to all your questions.

renerian

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

You nailed it right on the head. The paperwork blows people away. OASIS burden LOL.

renerian:eek:

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