Hello...

Hi April,

And welcome to the group! I'm relatively new to home health but from what I've seen, some of the HH agencies lack a bit in the benefit department as well as salaries. They vary greatly from agency to agency and you have to do a bit of "shopping" to get the best situation for yourself.

I took a 10/hr pay cut to go to HH, but some of the benefits were better! I'm getting drug coverage, dental and medical. As of July we will be getting what the hospital/unionized nurses get for pay - so it's a win/win situation for me. The job satisfaction was what the main goal was for me and I'll never contemplate going back to a hospital grind-out-the-pills, on my feet for 12 hours type of nursing again.

Our situations are going to be different because of our home bases; I'm in Canada and I think you're in the US, but I know that there are comparable situations down there because I've seen the threads on here. You have to look carefully and not be afraid to ask questions up front - on the phone. Along with the benefits and pay, find out also about the length of orientation, mileage compensation, cell phone compensation, etc. If your present company doesn't offer what you want, then look around. They're out there! Best of luck! :redbeathe

Sue

My VNA pays comparable to the local hospital. The benefits are about the same too. But the flexibility and rewards of being in HH would be well worth taking less ...thankfully I don't have to make that decision because it is about the same. It really depends on the agency. Some pay hourly, some salary and some per visit.

Thanks so much for the responses. I go back in on Thursday to talk with them again and fill out paperwork, so I'll ask more then. I just have a feeling I'm going to take this per diem job and want to go full time. I've always been interested in HH, and I can't wait to start.

April

Good for you! You won't be sorry - it's a whole different kind of nursing; it's the way it can and should be!

Sue :dncgbby: