Considering Home Health, but worried about skills

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I'm interested in Home Health, but I'm worried about my skills. I work in an ALF, primarily as a med nurse who does some charge. I can assess wounds, check blood glucose, give injections, and fill out paperwork, but I can't start IVs (it wasn't taught in my nursing program), and I haven't changed a foley or suctioned since I graduated. I was taught to do blood draws at work last summer, but I've only done a handful.

Do Home Health agencies offer training? Would it be better to find a nursing home job first? How can I refresh my rusting skills?

[caliotter3]

It depends upon the agency as to the quantity and quality of training that you would receive. Often, you have to be very assertive to insure that you receive the proper orientation. If you have any question about your skills, (and do not sell yourself short here), you can request to do extended care, also called shift care or continuous care, rather than intermittent visits. You will have an entire shift to get your care done and most care is of a routine nature for stable patients. Trach care, g tube feedings and meds, ventilator management are the biggies in extended care and it won't take long before you have the skills down.

[prettygirllpn]

You should be able to ride along with a nurse that has been doing hh for awhile and he or she can help you refresh your skills such as blood draws and foleys. The thing i like so much about hh is that you are never really along in the field. If you have questions or need help, you can always call the office. I called a bunch the first few months but now, i only call if the pt is a really hard stick. Just have faith in yourself, and trust yourself. Once you see a foley or w/c done it will all come rushing back from nursing school. Good luck! Hope you love HH!