Advise...

in my opinion you need to have a solid nursing base before you start into home health....6 mos to a year is not unreasonable, when you are out in the field you need to call upon your assessment skills and there is no one down the hall to get that second opinion....get yourself some experience and then do home health....there is so much paperwork and regulations to learn in home health

Ditto. I don't think any of the Home Health Agencies around here will hire anyone without at least a year of med-surg or long term care.

I started home care with no experience last winter. What I did, though, was speak to the agency and was honest about my lack of experience, and would visit the case with another nurse present to see if I can handle it before I accepted. I only had two cases (I only work home care on Saturdays due to my full time hospital job), but that is how I do things. I would also speak to the RN and discuss what to do in case of emergencies with that particular client. From what I have seen with LPNs that have done homecare from my agency and others, usually the patient is extremely stable (of course you MUST keep in mind that emergencies do happen), and for me, the paperwork was not that extensive. It is a sheet with a check off list and vitals and leaving room for notes. I check the MAR each time I visit, see if there are any changes, and that is it.

I do think it is better to start with experience, but if you are not, be very honest with your employer. If they don't work with you, then, don't work there.

You can't get a job in my area with out at least a years experience either. I tried.

What about 6 months experience at a nursing home?

As a home care nurse, you need to have a firm understanding of disease processes. A huge part of a home care position is teaching, teaching, teaching. You function independently and need to have a solid foundation of basic nursing knowledge. It is almost essential to atleast have some meaningful experience behind you.

thanks for all the advice!!