Considering home health

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Hey guys, I'm considering switching over to home health. I've been in nursing now for 4 years and have worked in ICU and the ED. I also have a background in respiratory therapy, which I did for 5 years.

My current situation is that I will be going to graduate school the next 2 weeks for FNP on a PT basis. I feel that I need a change in work conditions as I feel somewhat burnt out doing emergency nursing. Also, I have a little 4 month old I'm taking care of while my wife is working FT.

I would like to work in a laid back work environment that is less stress for me while I'm in school. Is this even possible doing home health on a PT or FT basis? Any feedback is appreciated.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Pardon for any misspelled words, I blame it on auto-correct.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I'm assuming that you actually mean private duty? (One patient in their home for a full shift) Yes, it is possible to do part time. The pace can be much more relaxed (given the right client). I did private duty (nights) for a vent dependent toddler during my MSN program. Virtually all of my online work was completed while working - as the client slept and I basically monitored and did a few treatments.

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I'm assuming that you actually mean private duty? (One patient in their home for a full shift) Yes, it is possible to do part time. The pace can be much more relaxed (given the right client). I did private duty (nights) for a vent dependent toddler during my MSN program. Virtually all of my online work was completed while working - as the client slept and I basically monitored and did a few treatments.

It could be private duty or making home visits to different patients.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Pardon for any misspelled words, I blame it on auto-correct.

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There is nothing laid back about intermittent home health, and the first year is tough. It's not the nursing aspect that is hard but all of the regulations, reimbursement criteria and tremendous amount of charting to learn.

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I disagree, I think home health is laid back, in comparison to hospital work and as a per diem or per visit employee. Working full time and case managing adds a lot more stress. What you are describing is what I have. I work 2 days a week and I am currently a full time (+) student, with 2 elementary age children. I tell my agency what days and hours I am available, they assign me visits, I am home to get the kids off the bus.

But, you must be flexible, and have good assessment skills. You don't see the same clients repeatedly as case managers would, and clients can be resistant to you if they are expecting g their usual nurse. Be ready to be firm, but roll with the punches. Good luck!

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Thanks for your input everyone! I think for now, I'll stick to my current place of employment and tough it out until i finish grad school

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If you are looking at FT in Home health and not with a single client, home health is anything BUT laid back. it is heavy scheduling, fast paced and hectic.. often your perfect day of maybe 6 clients, gets suddenly bumped to 9 or even 10 and you are frantically looking to reschedule some to later in the week. I did do home health with a single client though, like the poster before me with a trach infant and that was laid back and yes, its ideal for homework time, or even kicking back and watching tv time. In this later category, there is a high demand. I found it extremely boring, so therefore went to the fast paced life of being on the road. ;)

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