Got job offer at a home health agency

Specialties Home Health

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Today I went to apply for a job and basically I got an job offer.The job didnt consist of an usual interview,I came in and the manager told me to fill out all the paperwork-application,health history as well taxes form etc..I have to go back thursday to finish my paperwork and set up a date for "skills" orientation.This company requires minium year of experience but I kinda got lucky cause I got this job through my mom's friend.It sounds like this company handles all kind of patients;pts on ventilators,IV antibiotics,diabetics,with PICC line,trach.Sounds like a place where one can learn a lot of marketable skills.They asked me if I want to work as nurse office but I chose to be a home health nurse to gain skills that later I can use in a hospital,nursing home.Now I'm freaking out and starting to have this nightmarish thoughts;I dont have too much experience,how will I able to take care of a pt on ventilator or trach.I dont want to hurt someone or loose my license.Any advice greatly appreciated.

Didn't you post on this about a month ago (when you were first investigating this offer) and we gave you advice as to what questions to ask to ensure you got what you needed, as they didn't provide sufficient orientation for your skill level?

Some said you should not take this position otherwise?

Now you are freaking out. Why are you asking for advice now when you clearly didn't take the very good advice that was already given?

Not to be snarky, just confused.

Here's that thread:

Home Health a good option for fairly new grad?? - Nursing for Nurses

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Home Health for a new grad does not sound like a good idea to me. You will be alone, no nurse back up, in a home where everyone looks at you like the expert. That's a big responsibility for a nurse with experience. You'll have none. Only what you obtained during clinicals.

if u don't feel comfortable after the orientation/ojt then don't do it, otherwise, home health can be very easy, it's just you and one patient typically. the patient's family/friends and non health care related issues (them thinking you're their maid, etc) can make hh not so pleasant, just depends on the patient.

Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I think this company is doing you a huge disservice by hiring you because you know so and so. If you're not comfortable and competent in the acute setting HH would not be a wise choice IMHO. A big set up for failure as a skills orientation can't teach you what a years acute experience would.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
today i went to apply for a job and basically i got an job offer.the job didnt consist of an usual interview,i came in and the manager told me to fill out all the paperwork-application,health history as well taxes form etc..i have to go back thursday to finish my paperwork and set up a date for "skills" orientation.this company requires minium year of experience but i kinda got lucky cause...

any advice greatly appreciated.

any home health agency that does not conduct a formal interview, has a minimum of one year experience policy that they've ignored and offers one a job on the spot to a new grad is highly suspect. your second thoughts is your nursing gut is telling you you are in over your head, will be fed to the sharks and placing your newly minted license on the line. skills orientation too often is just a check off on form...rarely is it a live body observing how one performs task.

my employer has hired bsn new grads who has prior experience in healthcare as cna, medical assistant with few yrs experience and provides structured 3-4 month orientation with educator. new grad works with preceptor during this time. only 1-2 out of 10 will be with us at end of a year.

any home health agency that does not conduct a formal interview, has a minimum of one year experience policy that they've ignored and offers one a job on the spot to a new grad is highly suspect. your second thoughts is your nursing gut is telling you you are in over your head, will be fed to the sharks and placing your newly minted license on the line. skills orientation too often is just a check off on form...rarely is it a live body observing how one performs task.

my employer has hired bsn new grads who has prior experience in healthcare as cna, medical assistant with few yrs experience and provides structured 3-4 month orientation with educator. new grad works with preceptor during this time. only 1-2 out of 10 will be with us at end of a year.

i used to be home health aid before i started nursing school.

Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

So totally not the same and not even close in terms of responsibility and paperwork. I was a HHA for several years before and while I was in nursing school. I learned a lot but in no way did it prepare me to be a HH RN, except maybe for the massive amount of driving involved.

Just an update;I had my paperwork orientation-wow a lot of charting that is for sure.Also I received a bag full of supplies.My new manager seems to be understanding and "cool" about the fact that I'm a new grad.He said he will give me 4 patients for right now-he will try to introduce me slowly.It is a small company,right now they have 120 patients,15 Registered Nurses and 2 lpns,home health aids,PT,OT.He said I dont have to worry about drawing labs since they have a lab for that.If I will have trouble IVs (he said I will be seldom doing them),I can call him and he will go there himself or will send another nurse.I will follow a nurse for one week.He also said I can always call him if I have any concerns about paperwork or patients.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"I used to be home health aid before I started nursing school."

Seriously? That gives you comfort? In my view, that just indicates how much more you have to learn before being in a patient's home on your own.

I wish that you had paid more attention to the advice given here.

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