Got a job in Home Health

allnurses Guide · Dec 16, 2015

If you read the Big Book and really study sobriety you will find that arrogance is one of the number one character flaws of the addict/alcoholic. When I was in monitoring I was in it to save my life not my nursing career. I ended up saving both by learning the art of humble acceptance.

Hppy

odaat · Dec 16, 2015

I understand how you feel. I was also an ER nurse and definitely felt arrogant about it. Now I do dialysis and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't make me feel like I've gone down majorly. I still miss the ER every single day and keep hope alive that I'll be able to go back some day. For now though I just try to find the positives in what I currently do and remain grateful that I even have a job. There was a lot of time in the last 2 years, especially in the beginning, where I felt like I'd lost my identity because ER nursing was such a huge part of it. But that has gotten better for me and I understand now that nursing is just a job, it is not my identity at all.

Big Blondie, ASN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Dec 16, 2015

Previous stint in monitoring and I did home health and loved it! Those pts need you more than you know and your critical experience will serve you well.

caliotter3 · Dec 16, 2015

When you get your first paycheck and realize how blessed you are to have a nursing job, your esteem will get a boost. Give it some time.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Dec 17, 2015

I was an ER nurse as well. To be quite honest I don't want to go back there, unless it is as an educator. Things are very different these days. I would like to use my ER experience, but don't need the Highwire act anymore. That said, I do understand what you mean. It is a different kind of nursing. I'd say, give it a try. You certainly have the assessment skills and varied clinical expertise to do well.

Most of all, REJOICE! You got a job! Things are starting to turn around!

neuron · Dec 31, 2015

After interviewing for several ER positions and a psych position, and not getting any of those jobs, I interviewed with a home health agency and got the job. It's a small agency and they already have one TPAPN nurse there, so they're familiar with all the restrictions and requirements like quarterly meetings etc.
Of course I'm relieved to finally have a job, but I'm a little worried too. I've never even considered home health, and coming from the ER with high acuity patients, I am ashamed to admit I used to consider home health as a "soft" type of nursing, more like babysitting, doing a lot of bed baths and vital signs. I've read a lot in the Home Health forums and have learned a lot there, but I'm afraid my pride has taken a big hit. As an ER nurse dealing with strokes and heart attacks etc, I sort of feel like I've gone down a step or four with home health. I don't mean to offend anyone, and I know that attitude is arrogant and petty, but we ER nurses do tend to be arrogant!
Anyone else done home health while in monitoring? I will be continuing to read the Home Health forums here at allnurses.com too. I've read that many home health nurses feel that their jobs are very rewarding and I'm sure my prejudice against anything other than ER will go away once I see what it's really like out there in home health. Just a little anxious and looking for input.

If you feel like you've gone down a step or four with home health, in the end, if you have diverted drugs, you were caught stealing from your employer. Corporate leaders go to jail for that arrogance. I wouldn't want to be pushed to the side for a job for someone else who has been dishonest with their employer. I would be low-key if I were you.

LibertyTX · Jan 5, 2016

Thanks for your honesty, and I know how you feel! I am a critical care nurse by nature, but had to give it up for my year long Board Order. I tried pediatric home health for a couple of months and didn't like it at all. I finally found an outpatient surgery center job, and really learned a lot while I was there. Although I was skeptical about working in a low-acuity setting at first, I am extremely thankful for the experience I gained and the people I met. I made lifelong connections with the other RNs, anesthesia staff, surgeons, techs, and managers. I did not have a narcotic restriction as part of my Board Order, so I was able to work PACU & do moderate sedation, but I've always thought that day surgery pre-op or O.R. would be really good jobs for nurses with narc restrictions. Maybe you'd like that better than home health?