Calling all HH Nurses, roll call

Specialties Home Health

Published

Hi, as a newly appointed moderator, I want to live this forum up a bit. I just resigned my position as a HH supervisor, to go back to the field.

I have been a nurse 20 years, 17 in critical care, mostly cardiac critical care, and the last 2.5 years in HH, or asthma disease management , which I also had to leave because I hated to be in a cube farm all day.

I still love HH, even though PPS is the pits, even though the OASIS would make good kindling for a massive bonfire, and even with all the rest of the paperwork, it is the most rewarding nursing I have ever done!!

PS, I went back to my former VNA who is now paying $30/hr, yes, you read that right, to work 3 out of 4 weekends. Since weekends work well for me, it's a good deal.

Let's hear from all the HH nurses out there. Out of all those registered members, there's got to be plenty of us on this BB!! :D

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the starting rate of a home care nurse in central/north jersey is.

Thanks you =):redbeathe

I'm a home care nurse in the Phoenix area and I have been struggling with this for the last few years. Employers want you to use your own car to do visits and my weekly milleage is 500-700 miles per week. I feel this is excessive and a car should be supplied for this kind of driving, after all they aren't going to buy me a new car when this one wears out. I'm very interested in hearing from others as to how milleage is handled where you work.

Specializes in Home health.
i'm a home care nurse in the phoenix area and i have been struggling with this for the last few years. employers want you to use your own car to do visits and my weekly milleage is 500-700 miles per week. i feel this is excessive and a car should be supplied for this kind of driving, after all they aren't going to buy me a new car when this one wears out. i'm very interested in hearing from others as to how milleage is handled where you work.

you're right, that is excessive mileage. my weekly mileage ranges from 200 to 400 weekly. some agencies are supplying cars for their staff, mine is not one of them. i remember a few years ago i had bought a new car with a 2 year/50,000 mile warranty. i had put on over 50,000 miles in less than 2 years and when i had a few problems with the car the warranty was no longer in effect because of the excessive mileage. even though we get paid mileage a mechanic told me it does not come close to covering the wear and tear we put on our cars.

Hello! I just accepted a homecare RN position. I'm a new grad and worked with this agency during my community health clinical rotation. I'm excited and think I will really like this. Looking forward to reading the posts here!

Congratulations! Most HH companies do not hire new grads, but I say go for it if you know that is what you want to do! I started in HH as a new grad 2 yrs ago & it has worked out just fine. DON'T be discouraged by more experienced nurses who say you need to work in a hospital first. I learned more by being out on my own and having to rely on my own instincts. I would suggest finding a positive , experienced coworker who doesn't mind answering your "stupid" questions. That helped me gain a ton of knowledge in those first few months.

The fact that your company hired you as a field nurse straight out of school is somewhat frightening to me. I hope you never have patients that are too sick, patients whose condition has changed too rapidly, or patients that were inappropriately discharged from an inpatient facility to home-- because otherwise, you are simply fooling yourself at your level of knowledge, and it could be at the expense of a patient. Sorry to sound so ominous but that is how I see it.

I know HHAs don't usually hire new grads, but I worked with this agency as a student and the owners are alums from my nursing school (RNs). It's a very small agency, so I'm only a phone call away from my supervisor, experienced co-workers, or even the patient's doctor if I'm ever unsure what to do. I'm starting out with relatively healthy patients (post orthopedic surgery) changing dressings, basic assessment, checking vitals and INR. I know enough to recongize anything abnormal and make a phone call. In addition to my twice weekly visits, these patients are also seen by our Physical Therapist 3 times a week. I wont be given more complex patients until I have more experience and training.

I went to nursing school wanting to do community health, and I'm so happy to be doing home health. I love it!

Specializes in Home health.
the fact that your company hired you as a field nurse straight out of school is somewhat frightening to me. i hope you never have patients that are too sick, patients whose condition has changed too rapidly, or patients that were inappropriately discharged from an inpatient facility to home-- because otherwise, you are simply fooling yourself at your level of knowledge, and it could be at the expense of a patient. sorry to sound so ominous but that is how i see it.

i agree, the hha's i've worked for would never hire a new grad. too many complicated patients - i think it would be too scary for a new grad.

in fact, we once had an lvn who got her rn after working for our agency for several years. she was told to get 2 years of hospital experience and they would rehire her.

Specializes in Intensive Care, Telemetry and IV Team.

hello.

I am new to Home Health and started only a month ago.. But so far I love it! I am on the IV Team caring for patient's piccs and ports. The experience has been so rewarding.

My only problem has been that I own a SUV so downsizing is in my future ;)

Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
hello.

I am new to Home Health and started only a month ago.. But so far I love it! I am on the IV Team caring for patient's piccs and ports. The experience has been so rewarding.

My only problem has been that I own a SUV so downsizing is in my future ;)

Take advantage of the "clunker" program - quickly!

I agree with the part about if we had the administrative backing. I love my patients but the other things that go on with the paperwork and administration make your job very hard.

Specializes in med surg, homecare.

I did 2 years of medsurg in the hospital (as required post grad) 16yr HH and LOVE it! PPS is for the birds and the new OASIS will surely be a nightmare. I remember when the original came out on paper, then computer programs, now one that should help our performance scores. Anything for an excuse to not pay for a service our patients need so badly. If they don't then obviously it's time to dc. I would rather do oasis then punch a time clock and be inside all day with different patients every shift. :yelclap:

Welcome to your new post and enjoy weekends!

+ Add a Comment