which route to take?

[cawkazn]

I am looking for some advice on a career path to take. I have been doing case management for 2 years now. It is my first nursing job out of school. Long story short I am burnt out on it. I have been looking into doing home health. I got offered a home health job that was 3 12 hour shifts. I am thinking of taking it but I am worried about some things. Mainly I am worried that if I switch over to home health I may not have steady work because eventually the patient may go to a SNF or no longer need home health. I am the only person working in the family and cannot afford to be out of work. The pros of taking this job is the free time it would give me would allow me plenty of time go to back to school and pursue my RN. My other option is to just continue in case management because I know I will be working monday through friday. So does anyone have any advice to give me? what would you do if you were in my shoes? Also am I being overly worried about not having work as a home health nurse? I mean im sure if I "lose" a patient they will find me another one but if it took 2 weeks for them to do it and I went 2 weeks without pay then the crap would hit the fan.

[cawkazn]

no replies?!?!? dope!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

When I was in HH, the agencies I worked for made sure that nurses had at least 1-2 back up cases just in case those issues of a pt going into the hospital or d/c would occur. I usually took 2 high-tech, complex pts i.e. trach/vent cases as well as what they would call a basic case, i.e., pt with enteral feeds. I never really missed out on my cases, because I had 2 others to go to, so I would pick up the open days where there was a full in needed and made up the hrs.

[AngelicDarkness]

I think you answered your question OP. If you're burnt out, its time to move on for something fresh. I did it, and I although I miss my previous employment, my newest venture left more time to work on my continuing ed and RN goals.

I wish you the best of luck in your decision:)

[cawkazn]

thanks for the replies. so it seems there shouldnt be anything to worry about. I actually declined the job offer because of this, now I am calling them back desperately to try and get the job offer again. Im burnt out on case management. I am more drained at the end of the day doing case management then I was when I did construction! its just mentally exhausting! chronic stress is not good for your health. Its time for me to go!