Frustrated Home Health Rn

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I'm new to home health. I was hired as a salary rn. We are required to see a minimum of 6 point per day. No more than 8 but a typical day is always 8. Recert is 2, soc 2, post Hosp 1.5, discharge 1, and any other visit is 1. To day I had 3 recerts, 1 woundsup, 1 discharge. Discharge pt was not home. So after seeing my pts I head back to office to do paperwork. The power was out. Everyone was Standing around so I went home to do my paperwork. As soon as I get home I get a text from Don asking if I can see a pt. Apparently she was supposed to be on my schedule. Now what frustrates me is that the rn that was supposed to see this pt called in as she always does on Mondays or Fridays. So I called don back and told her I was trying to get my paperwork done. But that I would see the pt if she wanted me to but that it was extremely frustrating to constantly get assigned these pts I don't know because this nurse calls in every week. She didn't say anything but that she would find another nurse to see the pt. Now I feel like I overstepped my boundaries and should have just gone to see the pt and kept my mouth shut. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

You did the right thing. If you have already seen enough patients to equal your days points, then its ok to say no. One of the first rules in home care is to learn to say "no", or they will continue to ask you for more and more. In my experience, the nurses that say no when appropriate are happier and have a lot more job satisfaction. Don't worry about it!

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Home health is totally different......I've been in it now for about 3 years and I'm very passionate about home care and the care that the patients receive. I have done everything from being an RN in the home to short visits to clinical supervisor to director of nursing in Home Health Office. it is the recruiters responsibility to contact anyone and everyone to see if they can get those Shifts covered by nurses so that the patient can receive care. It is your right to decline. I will say that the way that the healthcare system works is that if you pick up shifts you will be given the better shifts. but you cannot let them over work you or they will most certainly do so!! good luck :-)

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sigh.....thats a difficult position to be in......should you keep allowing yourself to be overworked and underpaid or say something and risk being terminated. In my experience, it doesn't really do much good to flat out refuse to take assignments, because they will deal with you sooner or later and it won't be good. The only thing I've found that somewhat helps is to plead with them......tell them how far behind you are and you can't seem to catch up. Don't put the blame on them, just that YOU can't do it. I've almost cried a few times....lmao......

If that doesn't work, and they continue to overwork you, give your two weeks notice and find something else. Don't let it get to the point of hostility and refusing to do what they ask of you, because you will lose. Best to gracefully bow out and leave that bridge intact.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

This is so true. I want to add that if you work on a point or quota system, and your points/quota are done, you can say no or asked to be bonused. If you are contingent you can always say no. I have never seen a nurse get fired for refusing EXTRA work and I have worked at 6 home care companies. Saying that "they will deal with you, and it won't be good" sounds a little paranoid and immature. I don't like scare tactics. If that is the way it is at your agency, get out now!

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I have never seen a nurse get fired for refusing EXTRA work and I have worked at 6 home care companies. Saying that "they will deal with you, and it won't be good" sounds a little paranoid and immature. I don't like scare tactics. If that is the way it is at your agency, get out now!

all you have to do is read some of the posts in home health to realize that nurses get fired from home health agencies for doing little or nothing wrong. the original poster is obviously worried about this happening.

if all nurses refused to be taken advantage of, then agencies would have no choice but to act right. Unfortunately there are many who put up with it

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