Do I have the wrong impression of HH?

[changeofpaceRN]

Specifically, do I have high expectations?

I work with an agency who also does facility staffing. I told them flat out that I want OUT of facility nursing and I want to work in HH (yet they still call with facility work instead). Well, they'll call me up on a Tuesday and tell me they have a HH case for me on that Fri and Sat for 6 hrs a day and ask if I can do it. Of course, I'll say no, I told you I can't work Fridays and I can't work those hours (not sure why it's so hard to understand the schedule/hours I have).

Now, my problem is that I want to work a set schedule. For example, I am flexible with the hours on my chosen days but I want to know that I am working on Mon, Tues, Wed and maybe Sat every week. Is that too much to expect? Seriously?

This last minute, can you do a case thing, is driving me crazy! Next week, they won't have this same person and it will be someone else and different days. I understand that people's care changes and they get better so they no longer need HH. It seems like they don't have a steady influx of patients or cases and that it's a madhouse and free for all.

I'm not sure if I explained myself enough but it was also a mini vent. As an LPN in a country-type area I live in, my options are limited. I'm getting very frustrated and I haven't even worked a HH case yet!

[caliotter3]

I understand your frustrations because I have the same expectations for a set schedule. You will find that you just have to be firm with the staffing coordinators until they get the message or, hope it doesn't come to this, you decide to part ways. As for the here today, there next week problem, keep telling them that you want a permanent long term case with a permanent schedule. Tell them this every time you talk to them. You may not be offered work for long stretches because they just don't have the business, so, call them up at least once a week and remind them what you want. If they don't have a lot of permanent case business, then their competition might be getting it. Go to the competition and sign up with them. It is expected that home care nurses are signed on with more than one agency in order to maintain employment. Whatever you do try to remain on pleasant or at least professional terms with them, particularly if they really are the only game in town. You don't want to burn any bridges.