Can you have a life AND do HH?

Specialties Home Health

Published

I am a previous hospital nurse who has been doing home health for about 2 months. So far it has been a nightmare! I am charting every night after I finish seeing patients and most of the weekend. We do computer charting which I am thankful for... but even so, it takes so much time! I am salary and it is a decent salary... unless you are working 12 hours Monday through Friday and all weekend. I have gotten faster since I started, but I just don't see how it is possible to see patients and get charting completed in a 40 hour week. As an RN I am primarily doing admissions, recerts, and ROCs all of which take some time at the patients home AND even more time charting. I am computer savvy and I type fast...so I don't know. They are always pushing you to stay caught up with your documentation and the only way I can do this is to document ALL THE TIME. Is this just the nature of home health?

I love the patients and I love the teaching aspect of the job. But I hate the endless hours. I also dislike the constantly changing schedule. I will think I have my day planned and then I will get a call that a someone has been added to my schedule.

Is this the way HH is...... or it is just me... or the agency? Any thoughts are appreciated.

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

What a great thread!

Much appreciate everyone telling like it is. Was thinking about diving in to this field, but you folks have convinced me to reconsider.

Thanks to all!

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Specializes in Pedi.
Can anyone see the pattern of abuse?

Most of these HH employers are for-profit organizations. The profit of the owners comes before your professional and personal well-being and it shows in the expectations and treatment of the staff who insure that the owners actually achieve any profit.

I don't know of any home health agencies in my area that are for profit, other than the one owned by the larger hospital system that was purchased by a for-profit corporation a couple years back. Other than that one, every other agency around that I'm familiar with is not-for-profit.

I am better treated in my current job than I ever was in the hospital.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Fulltime? No.

I disagree. I don't have any of the problems you guys are talking about on this thread. I have a life. I went on vacation for 2 weeks in February, I'm taking 2 weeks off in the summer and another 2 weeks in October. I never chart at home/after hours. I go out often during the week and on the weekends. I am very firm with my patients/setting limits. And, like I said, my work cell goes OFF at 4:30PM and stays off until 8AM the next morning and on weekends, it is off the whole weekend. Simply record a voicemail that says "Hello, you have reached Kel, RN. Please note that this phone is only accessed Mon-Fri from 8A-4:30P. If you need assistance after hours or on weekend, please call the on-call supervisor at XXX-XXX-XXXX."

If I'm not getting paid, I'm not working.

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Specializes in med surg.

Kelrn215 I am going to have to use that message on my work phone. Bc like u I am not on weekends/evening. Your message is quick and to the point love it.

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Specializes in Home Health, Nursing Education.
I disagree. I don't have any of the problems you guys are talking about on this thread. I have a life. I went on vacation for 2 weeks in February, I'm taking 2 weeks off in the summer and another 2 weeks in October. I never chart at home/after hours. I go out often during the week and on the weekends. I am very firm with my patients/setting limits. And, like I said, my work cell goes OFF at 4:30PM and stays off until 8AM the next morning and on weekends, it is off the whole weekend. Simply record a voicemail that says "Hello, you have reached Kel, RN. Please note that this phone is only accessed Mon-Fri from 8A-4:30P. If you need assistance after hours or on weekend, please call the on-call supervisor at XXX-XXX-XXXX."

If I'm not getting paid, I'm not working.

I am hanging onto your perspective, because I really want HHC to work for me. I just can't take it in the hospital anymore.

And I also need to remember that most people- other fields as well- don't love their jobs. I hear friend's stories... an accountant, a secretary, a metal buyer. They all make less than I- and have major stressors and a 50 hour work week.

Sigh*

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How many patients do you see?

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This is a great thread you have provided, especially with your updates. I heard HH nurses are the most abused in the profession and I now see it and believe it. I work pediem and take up to a full load with the same results. I cant take a fulltime job because I just cant do it. Im going to refer a coworker to this thread. She is constantly hounded about OT. She refuses to work for free. The other nurses cut corners to get the job done or dont document all of their time. Glad you sre out. As soon as I find another job, I will be too.

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

Would love to know how you manage to complete all charting prior to coming home. Please share any success secrets you may have.

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Specializes in Eldercare.

What computer program are you using for charting? Do you like it?

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Specializes in Pedi.
Would love to know how you manage to complete all charting prior to coming home. Please share any success secrets you may have.

I don't bring my laptop home. Can't chart at home if it's not there. Problem solved.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
I don't bring my laptop home. Can't chart at home if it's not there. Problem solved.

Hahahahaha!

Way to go!

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I'm new to this forum but I've been a career home health nurse (with a break to be a SAHM) since 1988. I love my job and the flex hours have been very family friendly.

I do paperwork at home but that is my choice initially to be home early with the kids. I'm not an early bird and have more energy in the later afternoons and evenings but my total hours worked don't usually exceed 8, including my commute time (I live in my patient territory) unless I'm seeing a high number of patients and being at a visit rate that usually translates to higher pay.

I've been over 100K for awhile now working M-F with a usual 8 hr day spread out whichever way I wish. I have the flexibility to schedule personal appts as well. I also work remotely from home 2-3 days per week which optimizes my time.

I can say that after returning to work despite having years of previous experience that it took 6 mos to get past the tears and frustration at the end of the day and a year to get comfortable. Once you're familiar with all aspects of the job, including building a network of resources and provider relationships, you can function at a smoother and quicker pace.

Two key things include looking at it as an investment in developing a new career which is going to take some time (and contrary to common belief, home health is not easy nursing to scale back into after hospital burn out) and to live in your patient territory.

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