Buy your own laptop?

caliotter3 · May 6, 2018

No laptop and no cell phone or phone stipend when I did visits.

Kaisu · May 6, 2018

That's a big fat no to that agency. The agency provides the equipment. Unless they are a flimsy, fly-by-night semi scam, in which case, why would you want to work for someone like that?

OldDude · May 6, 2018

Typically, the employer supplies the laptop or tablet and phone allowance is pretty common in my neck of the woods, unless you're self employed, working contract for them, and then they supply nothing and reimburse nothing.

Libby1987 · May 7, 2018

In my land? All equipment supplied, generous orientation, good compensation and great benefits with a reasonable workload.

Why aren't you applying to a reputable top employer?

Nurse on the Go · May 7, 2018

I have never worked for an agency that required me to purchase my own laptop. I have worked for one that had us use our personal cell phone with a monthly reimbursement, but even that is rare in my area.

I agree with previous posters, it seems like a red flag. You may be able to do better with another agency. Good luck!

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

I don't think they should pay your whole cell bill if you use the phone for other than work. Seems like possible HIPAA trouble if you

do any texting or have patients' personal phone numbers in your phone, but I really don't know. Just thinking out loud.

I don't know quite what to think about the computer. Since the computer is an integral part of the job, and you can't really

do the job without it, they should supply it. Again, HIPAA and again, I don't really know the rules, laws, customs.

Neats, BSN · May 7, 2018

Unless they are wanting you to complete your documentation in house on their computers I would not use your own personal lap top or cell phone. HIPAA rules are there for a reason and you will have identifying information on your cell phone. Can you imagine the violations that will occur? I would return to the office and complete the documentation in house if you are going to work for them.

Tenebrae, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

Nope, the organisation I worked for supplied phone and laptop

Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN · May 7, 2018

Get it and tax deduct all though next year who knows ..consult a pro tax advisor.

allnurses Guide · May 8, 2018

I just started with a new agency and they don't supply laptops. Is this typical? If I were to buy one I will only get a $300 reimbursement. It seems kind of skimpy to me. They don't supply phones either, just give you a stipend that doesn't even cover the monthly cell bill.
What's going on with you guys and gals in home health land?

I honestly would want them to supply my laptop but you can buy a good chrome book for around $150.00

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 8, 2018

I would be very wary of an agency that required you to buy your own laptop and use your own personal phone. The only way I would end up using my own phone would be through a forwarding service so that a patient can't just dial my own primary phone number whenever, even when I'm not working for that company any longer. One of the main reasons why I would not want to buy my own laptop is that there's no guarantee that the laptop will work with the software that the agency uses. If I were to use my own laptop, it would need both a cell data modem and wifi, and have a VPN type setup to secure all data exchange with any remote source. Of course that also means I'm never going to store any business files on my laptop and would never allow anyone access to my laptop because it's mine. It also means that no tracking software gets to be installed by the employer as it's not their laptop.

So, if your agency wants you to buy your own laptop and reimburse you a little bit for your cell phone bill, that's fine but keep track of all business-related calls you make and what you spend for work-related items. If you can use something similar to google voice (forwards calls to and from a cell phone) as that acts like a virtual phone, that's best. That way when you no longer work for them, you can just simply delete the number or you can forward them to the business number and it'll self-delete eventually.