Advice for floor nurse moving to home health

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Hi all! I have been a floor nurse on a super busy med/surg-oncology unit for the past 6 years! I got screwed over after I had to go on medical leave for a shoulder surgery. I was going to return once FMLA was up but had a 20lb restriction to the shoulder surgery side. They informed me I couldn't come back with that restriction and I would have to wait till all restrictions were lifted. This put me past fmla and on to regular medical leave. When communicating with my manager she never informed me of anything other than being able to come back. The day the restriction was lifted I got another release note from my dr just so nothing could be held against me! I sent this to my manager and she informs me that she doesn't have to take me back and doesn't have a place for me. (She's a backstabbing liar) there were actually 7 positions open and not one was offered to me!

So now I'm out of the toxic environment working for her, but also out of a job I thought I was going back into! I do not see myself going to another floor. So possibly may transfer to home health as there is a position open! I was wondering who all has gone from floor nursing to home health and your thoughts on it? Likes? Dislikes? Would you say it's more difficult? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated! Yes I understand you may be going into some messy (to say the least) homes lol I think that's the first thing I was told.

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Things I wasn't used to:
1. Pee breaks. Whenever you want.

2. Lunch breaks. Whenever you want.

3. Roaches. Whether you like it or not.

4. Bed bugs. Whether you like it or not.

5. 1:1 patient care. Without interruption from staff/call lights.

6. Documentation. Yes, still.

7. The feeling you're really making a difference in someones life. Many times you very well may be the only healthcare professional in their homes on a weekly basis. You also may be their only visitor on a weekly basis.

8. Compensation varies widely, company to company. So check out the details before signing the dotted line.

9. Working when I want. No overtime. No holidays. No weekends. No evenings.

10. Having a life again.

11. Not having everything ready and easily available like in a facility. There is no med room, no clean supply room, no stock person, no maintenance person.

12. The amount of calling to get a hold of PCP, clients (especially my psych clients), other healthcare professionals.

13. Learning so much about insurance it made my head spin.

14. The freedom of taking vacation, making an appointment, with the ability to move my clients around them (as appropriate).

15. HH was the last place I ever wanted to work. Now, I can't imagine doing anything else. I mostly enjoy the uninterrupted 1:1 care I can provide.

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You had me at pee breaks!! This is what I was thinking with the one on one time! So pulled on the floor from not enough staff and then I'm hurried with patients! Thank you!

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Specializes in Medical surgical, recovery, pediatric oncology.

I think you will like it with your years of experience. I did med/surg for 2 years when I tried it prn. I didn’t like the documentation it was extremely tedious and if revolves around documenting specific things for insurance. The nice thing was it feels way more relaxing because you work at your own pace. You can also schedule your patient workload as you like. It didn’t work with my full time schedule that’s why I left. If you like your autonomy then this is for you ?

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Thank you! It does sound like something I may like! I hated the way my manager would micromanage and not just let me take care of my patients!

Thank you for your advice!

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Pay is less but there is more flexibility, less weekends, shorter hours. You have more of a normal schedule.

If you do hH a long time and want to re enter hospital it could be tricky because hospitals want recent experience.

When I switched to hh I kept my position at hospital but as per diem until i was absolutely sure I wanted to stay in field.

I love the field but sometimes wish there was more opportunity for growth besides management track....

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