Are slumps in home health normal?

[KatholikosRN]

Is it normal for home health agencies to have six month long slumps in the census? I have been working in home health for almost two years and seems like my agency is going to go out of business at the rate we are going. We had fifty or so patients when I started, grew to over one hundred patients, now we are back down to sixty or so with a large staff who now doesn't have enough patients to see.

We are competing in a market with two other home health agencies, one of which has direct access to the only hospital in town as it is partly owned by it. When I look at my schedule and see nine units for the week and no SOC, I get nervous.

[Shimmer580]

Yes it is normal. Lots of nurses who work with agencies get a second agency or another full time or part time to cover themselves financially

[xmbishopx]

Wow only 2 competitors? Here in the Valley theres probably thousand.... Maybe your agency needs a new marketer... Attend some health fair, promote...

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Here in NC there was huge overhaul in the assessing of who qualified so it has been weird. The agency I worked for as a CNA (now she is going to keep me on PRN for home assessments) can't keep up. They have high standards and give quality care. They are small, too. I think that makes a difference.

[KateRN1]

I'm in Florida and April through September/October has always been a slow season for us. When the snowbirds make their way down south and cold/flu season kicks in, that's when we tend to get busier.

Some ideas for the slow time to keep full-time employees on the books: chart audits, assist with QI program, conduct patient satisfaction telephone calls, developo CHF program to call patients on days when there's no nursing visit to assess for symptoms, assist marketers with presentations at ALFs, senior apartments, etc., do OASIS integrity ride-along visits, conduct skills fair to check off field skills. That's just a few things off the top of my head, I'm sure that plenty of other folks can chime in.

Best wishes!

[KatholikosRN]

Yes it is normal. Lots of nurses who work with agencies get a second agency or another full time or part time to cover themselves financially

I tried taking on a second home health job prn, but my company told me I wasn't allowed as I signed a non compensatory agreement. I didn't know I signed that, but I didn't read the papers I signed with a fine tooth comb. My fault.

Good idea though. :)

[KatholikosRN]

I'm in Florida and April through September/October has always been a slow season for us. When the snowbirds make their way down south and cold/flu season kicks in, that's when we tend to get busier.

Some ideas for the slow time to keep full-time employees on the books: chart audits, assist with QI program, conduct patient satisfaction telephone calls, developo CHF program to call patients on days when there's no nursing visit to assess for symptoms, assist marketers with presentations at ALFs, senior apartments, etc., do OASIS integrity ride-along visits, conduct skills fair to check off field skills. That's just a few things off the top of my head, I'm sure that plenty of other folks can chime in.

Best wishes!

Tried these too, but they won't pay for us do anything that isn't a visit.

[KatholikosRN]

I'd hate to leave home health, the people I work for are awesome and my boss is absolutely awesome. Its hard to go week to week not knowing what your pay is going to be though.

[caliotter3]

Your non compete letter most likely says you can't take clientele away from your agency or work for the same client for two agencies. Go look at what you signed. If it really does say you can't have a second employer, then your option is to find an employer that does not restrict your ability to support yourself and your family.

[jeannepaul, BSN]

In Texas, if you are a full time employee and they cut your hours, you can file for unemployment for the hours they cut. One of our LPN's had her hours cut, recieved unemployment to compensate to 40 hours. It worked out great for her because she was also going to school to get her RN so she worked part time and got paid for full time. Check with your state unemployment laws.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Excellent advice!!!! It is that way in Wisconsin as well, for most positions anyway, I don't know why home health would be any different

[txredheadnurse, BSN, RN]

One caveat about the receiving unemployment when work hours are reduced from full to part time. In Texas if you work for a non profit you are not eligble for unemployment compensation since non profits are not required to partcipate in the unemployment program.