Getting Started in Home Health.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Hi, I've been a RN for about 6 months, working on a pediatric med-surg floor. Recentally I applied (and believe I'll be accepted), to work per diem for a home health agency. I'm hoping to be able to do home health at least 1 day a week (I work 3 12's at the hospital). The agency will place me with pediatric pts in my area. I have never done home health before. The agency did say that they had a nurse educator that would review and make sure I was competent on the skills I would need.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

No advice but I am planning on doing the same here very soon!

I work in the PICU and am wanting out of the hospital and into HH.

I got a call today from a HH agency (who knows I'm a May grad) so I'm excited to talk to them. They provide their RNs cars (Prius) so that is a plus to me!

Good luck :)

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Thanks Marilyn. You would think someone woud have some words of wisdom for us!

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Specializes in Home health.
Hi, I've been a RN for about 6 months, working on a pediatric med-surg floor. Recentally I applied (and believe I'll be accepted), to work per diem for a home health agency. I'm hoping to be able to do home health at least 1 day a week (I work 3 12's at the hospital). The agency will place me with pediatric pts in my area. I have never done home health before. The agency did say that they had a nurse educator that would review and make sure I was competent on the skills I would need.

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

I am a home health nurse. Will you being doing intermittent or continuous care? This sounds like a great opportunity to get home health experience, most HHA's usually want at least a year or two of experience first. Be patient it takes a while to catch on.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
I am a home health nurse. Will you being doing intermittent or continuous care? This sounds like a great opportunity to get home health experience, most HHA's usually want at least a year or two of experience first. Be patient it takes a while to catch on.

I would be doing intermittent care, probably 8-12 hrs a week. I feel more comfortable knowing that this agency has a nurse educator that will work with me to make me feel prepared for the field.

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Specializes in Home health.
I would be doing intermittent care, probably 8-12 hrs a week. I feel more comfortable knowing that this agency has a nurse educator that will work with me to make me feel prepared for the field.

I agree, it's good to have a nurse educator, but the home health field is very intensive. It will be difficult to try and learn the in's and out's of Medicare etc. on a part time basis. I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it will be a little harder. Good luck to you and congratulations.

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