let's hear from Nurses who prvide homecare in Ontario

thegiver · Jun 13, 2009

Im a visiting psw, Id be intereted in hearing about it. I have considered going that way after school, as I would imagine you can pick your hours... but I would like to hear from nurses actually doing that work!

pandabear100 · Jun 14, 2009

Hi,

I meet a lot of PSWs at the diferent homes I go to.

They seem to generally like homecare but I think they have it tougher than us as they are with the client longer and subject to some unreasonable demands at times. ( from what I have observed )

What troubles me regarding homecare in Ontario is the fact that there are many clients on service who actually shouldn't be and others who are pushed off service when they are the ones needing it.

Too many times I have covered for someone and see an able-bodied client ( goes to work,,ect) and I am going in to change a bandage on a toe ? ( I am not talking about packing a wound ,rather a simple dry protective dressing ...)

I never understand why this client gets homecare service..and yet an eighty yr old who is living alone and learing to self-administer insulin is being told they only have 5 days of service.

The way CCAC applies policies is very uneven and appears subject to the whims of paricular case managers.

The question of whether the client is home-bound ( as in the US ) does not even come into the question here it seems.

thegiver · Jun 15, 2009

I have found that too, the wrong people get too many hours of care, and someone who could really use a few more hours, gets told there isnt funding for that.

I spend more time with my clients then the nurses do, but I also get to know them more personally. (I also have way less responsibiluty and more leadway for getting support from supervisors) I think thats why they feel ok making some strange demands, but I am learning that I have to set a president early on, especially regarding time management. "I can definately wait while you have another cigarette, but then we wont have time to floss your teeth" :)

It makes me crazy when the CCAC says its ok for us to go in for ie, 55 hours.. and when those hours are used up, thats it? well if they needed those 55 hours, and they are still in the same situation why should they have the stress of worrying about funding being available after the hours are used up? weird

NorthernStudent · Jun 17, 2009

I started a thread a while ago when I was thinking about going the visiting nurse route. I didn't get many replies. Is this an area that a new grad can succeed in or would it be better to get some hospital experience first. I also had questions regarding money (I need to pay back the mountain of debt I'm accumulating). Is the pay comparable to a nurse who works in hospital?

Also, is it better to work for an private agency or a non profit?

Any info would be appreciated

sunkissed75, CNA · Jun 19, 2009

I am going to school right now for PSW and in October I will be doing home care for the Red Cross. I would love any tips or advise on home care!

Thanks...

thegiver · Jun 19, 2009

hi :) Congratulations on your new job!

the biggest thing seems to be time management. Once you get into someones home it can be hard to get back out again! I feel like Im always looking at the clock, and trying to become more efficient.

I believe Red Cross only allow scrubs that are there agencies colours (ie red or white) and youll need a pair of "inside shoes" that you wear only in their homes. I bring my own hand sanitizer because some places dont have it even if they should.

Invest in a good organizer so that you can have your appointment times (some are only an hour long each) and the phone numbers of your clients on hand IN THE CAR because youll need to call them if you are running late.

Check out if red cross reimburses you for travel expenses, my agency does, but you can also get a specific form for your taxes, your mileage is a work related expense, and it adds up, youll want to know how to properly keep track of tax deductable stuff.

Also, be prepared... some people do not live in clean homes, sometimes the smells can be down right nausiating.

Never be afraid to glove up, keep a supply in your car, some people dont like buying them, and when you are in the moment, you dont want to be without gloves things do splash! (and keep an extra set of scrubs in the car) Some people even want you to "just use ONE glove" I always joke and say "oh your so funny, one glove, two hands!" and put on two.

sunkissed75, CNA · Jun 21, 2009

hi :) congratulations on your new job!
the biggest thing seems to be time management. once you get into someones home it can be hard to get back out again! i feel like im always looking at the clock, and trying to become more efficient.

thank you so much for the advice...that's exactly the kind of stuff i was looking for!!! you sound like you are a pro! how long have you been doing home care and do you have any other experience to compare it to? just wondering on the pro/cons of homecare vs. long-term. for example, with homecare you have a little more autonomy, but in lt you probably have more reliable hours.
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nursemama2be · Jun 25, 2009

I work pt as a visiting nurse... i used to do it with another company but they never call so i have switched companies and like this one waaay better.. more orientation, better benefits.. i also work pt in a hospital..

I graduated in 2008 so i want all the experience i can get...

thegiver · Jun 25, 2009

I dont have my own experiences to compare it to, but one of my friends works in LT care facility.

I like that I usually work with the disabled vs the elderly. Death is a tricky thing for me so I think that would be hard for me, I would really have to work on keeping myself distanced from the patients.

My work is called "elect to work" so I get to pick my hours, which works really well for me with small kids, I can chose to work 2 hours in the morning, 2 at night, alternating weekends, on tuesdays but not mondays, whatever fits my life, thats a big plus to me considering the cost of child care. I just work it around the kids. The down side for me is the travel, I like getting to work and leaving when Im done. This way Im in and out of my house and every one elses all day long, it leaves me slightly unsettled.

I believe the pay is better in a facility as well. I know my friend makes about 16-19$/hour, but thats with tenor. She has been there for about 10 years. I make 14$ with just 1 year in, and Im due for my third raise. I started out 12 something, got one after three months, and another when minimum wage went up. I was making more then minimum but my company decided if everyone else should get one, so should we.

I think it depends a lot on your employer too. I have a really good one. We get benefits if we work 20+ hours a week, after 1 year.

NorthernStudent · Jun 28, 2009

I work pt as a visiting nurse... i used to do it with another company but they never call so i have switched companies and like this one waaay better.. more orientation, better benefits.. i also work pt in a hospital..
I graduated in 2008 so i want all the experience i can get...

Did you go right into visiting nurse as a new grad? I'm thinking of doing this but wondering if I'll be "ready". Agencies must take into account that you are green when they assign cases. Also, do you work pt in a hospital because there are not enough hours at your agency?

Regards

C

nursemama2be · Jun 29, 2009

Did you go right into visiting nurse as a new grad? I'm thinking of doing this but wondering if I'll be "ready". Agencies must take into account that you are green when they assign cases. Also, do you work pt in a hospital because there are not enough hours at your agency?
Regards
C

Yes I went into visiting as a new grad... I personally have never had any issues and at first thought it would be terrifying but i love every minute of it...

I work pt in a hospital because i like the experience.. i am interested in getting all the experience that I can and so far have been successful.. The new agency i am starting with has a really good precepting thingy (i am tired) and will make sure i am ready before i am on my own... and i could work ft hours if i wanted... I also like the flexibility around homecare...