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

I willl be attending an inservice realllllly soon about Oasis C. The duplicity in documentation is what makes it so difficult. The agency I work with does not use a laptop software program for Oasis. I would venture a guess that with the healthcare reform happening in Washington the paper trail is going to increase with Oasis/Medicare and other insurance requirements.

I willl be attending an inservice realllllly soon about Oasis C. The duplicity in documentation is what makes it so difficult. The agency I work with does not use a laptop software program for Oasis. I would venture a guess that with the healthcare reform happening in Washington the paper trail is going to increase with Oasis/Medicare and other insurance requirements.

What do you mean by duplicity?

Uhhhhhhh...Wrong word...My meaning is double or more documentation of the same facts. Sorry...Need to go back to third grade and learn definitions of words...My brain said "double" sooooooooorrrrrrrrry....Of course any nurse understands repetition....documenting the same on reams of forms...:) (?sp) Tired nurse here....lolol

Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
I willl be attending an inservice realllllly soon about Oasis C. The duplicity in documentation is what makes it so difficult. The agency I work with does not use a laptop software program for Oasis. I would venture a guess that with the healthcare reform happening in Washington the paper trail is going to increase with Oasis/Medicare and other insurance requirements.

The appropriateness of all "paper" work will need another look, with an "eye" to the use of information provided, I believe.

I am a peds home care nurse for high risk children and I love it. I have witnessed many children who surpass all expectations. I enjoy supporting the parents in caring for their child . Children are so resilient and amazing. I believe skilled nurses are in need for these kids , that you have so much to contribute towards giving the child and parents a future. It is wonderful to see them thriving in their own enviornment. If I worked inpatient acute I would be depressed too.

Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
I am a peds home care nurse for high risk children and I love it. I have witnessed many children who surpass all expectations. I enjoy supporting the parents in caring for their child . Children are so resilient and amazing. I believe skilled nurses are in need for these kids , that you have so much to contribute towards giving the child and parents a future. It is wonderful to see them thriving in their own enviornment. If I worked inpatient acute I would be depressed too.

Have you found, as I did about 10 years ago when I did home visits for disabled children, that their older siblings were involved in their care, conscientious about coming right home after school, therefore not as likely to get mixed up in the gang scene or take drugs? :wink2:

I do private duty high tech for infants/toddlers that are recent discharges for issues such as renal transplant/SVT etc. I did private duty last summer for an autistic child and that was an experience I had not yet had. He had a tracheostomy and tube feeds which was not challenging but the behaviors were quite a challenge. He had a sibling who experienced separate emotional issues due to having a brother with autism and requiring so much of parents attention. In home health we can involve the whole family in our care and help them develop coping skills needed for care givers/siblings.It is a challenge but one that can reap benefits when we witness the quality of life improve for client and family. HH is rewarding in that aspect despite paperwork and hours on the road.

I am a peds home care nurse for high risk children and I love it. I have witnessed many children who surpass all expectations. I enjoy supporting the parents in caring for their child . Children are so resilient and amazing. I believe skilled nurses are in need for these kids , that you have so much to contribute towards giving the child and parents a future. It is wonderful to see them thriving in their own enviornment. If I worked inpatient acute I would be depressed too.

Thank you so much ryan for your words of encouragement, I orient next week, I will let you know how it goes!

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

Mijourney, I like what you said about HC being a spiritual experience. I feel the same way, I am new to HH and loving it. Although the pay is way lower than the hospital, I am finding it so much more rewarding. There is something about visiting pts in their homes that makes you see them as human so much more so than in the hospital. Combine that with the fact that you are not giving meds out to 6-7 other pts and running around like a chicken without a head, and it makes for a very nice nursing experience. I am finding myself really attached to and caring about my pts, not that I dont in the hospital setting, its just that now I have time to. Dont get me wrong, it is challenging, just in a different way. I can definitly see myself staying in HC for a while.

Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.
I willl be attending an inservice realllllly soon about Oasis C. The duplicity in documentation is what makes it so difficult. The agency I work with does not use a laptop software program for Oasis. I would venture a guess that with the healthcare reform happening in Washington the paper trail is going to increase with Oasis/Medicare and other insurance requirements.

Why do you think the paperwork will increase? Those who have been appointed to the HHS department are interested in bringing more and better care to patinets' homes and diminish readmissions. Writing too much, too repetatively interferes with that goal. I think you'll see very positive things happening. :nurse:

It was the old guard that brought such useless documentation to HH agencies, who practically said, "Thank You". I believe the monitoring that will come about will be more oriented to discussion, rather than blanket acceptance no matter what is handed down. They'll be more interested in outcomes, than information confirming the need for HH care. :yeah:

Specializes in ER, L&D, ICU, LTC, HH.

Congratz on being moderator! I am a HH nurse in East TN. Not been doing it long. I have been a RN 25 years and worked mostly: Trauma, L&D, Psych, and ICU. Nice to meet you!

~Willow

Why do you think the paperwork will increase? Those who have been appointed to the HHS department are interested in bringing more and better care to patinets' homes and diminish readmissions. Writing too much, too repetatively interferes with that goal. I think you'll see very positive things happening. :nurse:

It was the old guard that brought such useless documentation to HH agencies, who practically said, "Thank You". I believe the monitoring that will come about will be more oriented to discussion, rather than blanket acceptance no matter what is handed down. They'll be more interested in outcomes, than information confirming the need for HH care. :yeah:

Since my post about Oasis C I have been doing quite well with it. I have found it is not as difficult as I assumed. Your correct the focus is on outcomes and teaching in HH. For myself ,I find empowering patients and families to take charge of their health is very rewarding. Patients see their progress in HH. I ask what their goals are at SOC and we work towards them together. It is nice to develop a care plan and see it to the goals patients and families set. I also interface with the discharge planners when my patients must be hospitalized and give the planner my assessment of the patient's needs . At times in HH the enviornment in the home may be unsafe or the patient may not have adequate support and resources as HH case managers we can assist with an MSW to put resources in place that will enable a patient to remain safely at home vs LTC. It is rewarding to see progress I normally would not see in acute care.

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