HH should I try it now?

shammy · Dec 3, 2004

Ellie,

I just started HH after working a ortho/neuro floor for 2 1/2 yrs. I moved cross country and wanted to try something different, flexible, less stressful.

Well this is what I have learned about HH since Sept when I started...

1/ it is very different from floor nursing. I actually get time with my pts and do teaching, real teaching and see the pts learn from it.

2/ it is flexible. I case mange an area and days I need to be off early for something I take an extra pt the day before or after and get to where I need to be. Even managed 2 days off last week for Thanksgiving and only left the call person to pick up my daily pt.

3/ not less stressful but different stressful. I don't feel pulled in 50 directions in HH but I do bring work home and even if it is not paperwork sometimes it is pulling information on what to do in this or that situation.

4/ tons of paperwork but if you are organized and stay on top of it it is manageable. And most importantly speak up if and WHEN it is too much.

5/ as for getting around I have learned my way all over my territory already and found things that I would not have found working in a hospital as part of my area is rural.

As for the 5 day work week I that is something for you to decide. I find that I see 5-6 pts/ day and my work day is generally 8 until 3 or 3:30. A couple of times all my pts are together and motivated (wound monitoring on a well healing wound and knee replacement pts) I was done early like 1:30. And then other times I have been out in the field still and it is just after 5pm.

Sorry for this being so long but thought as I share a similar background with you and also just started I would share my experience.

stbernardclub · Dec 3, 2004

Yes, My Day Is Very Much Like Shammy....only, I May Have 7. A Recert , Discharge And Admission Counts As 2 PATIENTS. If Your Are A Organized Person, You Will Do Well. Just Make Sure Of The Radius You May Have To Cover. I Work Where I Live, Thats Why I Took It. My Pay Is About The Same As It Was In The Hospital...good Luck...

shammy · Dec 3, 2004

Sandy...

Your recerts and discharges also count as 2 pts. For us it is only admits that count as 2 pts. Not resumes, recerts, or discharges. Discharges I can handle but recerts and resumes take longer.

And gee I wish I made what I made in the hospital....But then again I worked 3-11 weekends so I got a good shift diffs for all that.

ellie123 · Dec 3, 2004

Thank you both for your insight. I feel better even considering it now. Do you get paid per hour, per visit, or salary? I just wondering what the norm is.

shammy · Dec 3, 2004

I currently get paid per hour. And did that because I was new to HH and knew I'd spend a lot of time doing paperwork.

But I'm already quicker and am thinking about going per visit because most days I would make more per visit and on the days I wouldn't have I only made $10 more being hourly. Most nurses in my office are per visit.

Good luck.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2004

I personally think salary for case managers stinks. Sometimes they work you like dogs but that has been what I have experienced and seen in the past at several companies. Depends on the salary. Consider heavily the wear and tear on your car and gas which will add up fast.

renerian

Traveler · Dec 4, 2004

Each company is different in point scale for visits. What makes a BIG difference is how far you have to travel. Where I work now, DC/ROC/RC count as 1.25 points. Regular visit counts as .75 and SOC counts as 2. I did one SOC, 2 DC, 2 RC, and 4 regular visits yesterday for 10 points. I have to maintain an average of 15 points a week to get part time benefits. Usually I can do this in two days, but I take lots of paperwork home with me. I left my house yesterday at 6:30am and got home at 2pm. But, I will be up with at least four hours of paperwork tonight.

kbettencourt · Dec 9, 2004

Okay I need a little advice. I just moved into a new city and found this HH job. I've been working on the floor for about 2 1/2 yrs in med-surg (ortho/neuro) This is a little 1 women owned HH co. They said you see about 5 pt a day and do a lot of case management. Everyone has there area, but of course if someone needs help that day you can go anywhere. They pay salary and milage. The interviewer admitted there is a ton of paperwork. Nothing on computer except orders. I'm worried about the 5 day work week. Currently I work 12's. And getting lost in this new area. I do however know how to read a map. What do you think? Is it to soon to do HH? Should I look for another co? Thanks for your input.

Hello ellie123, It doesn't matter how many years of hospital med-surg or any other hosp nursing you have behind you, HH nursing is very different. A new nurse from Mass General in Boston came to our Agency, felt very overwhelmed. Not by the patient care, that is the easy part. The paper work is overwhelming at the beginning, along with learning all your community resources, working with all thoses resources, and this is where you will be in contact with all disciplines such as OT, PT, ST MSW, etc. keeping in close communication to attain your Patient's goals. HH nursing is very different. 5 days a week is a long week. Everyone does case management. In my company we do all documentation on computer. Once you get the paper work down, the job is very flexible. If you can read a map, you will get therel. Some companies offer a 3 or 4 work day schedule. Your have a small company, careful for very small companies, 1 missed paycheck would do it for me. Good Luck. :)