HH vs. hospital

Published

I'm extremely miserable at my hospital. I do ortho medsurg. I think I'm so burned out on the hospital. I wanted to know honest opinions of people who have done both and which one you prefer and why. I'm deciding on whether or not to leave and I'm really nervous about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Sounds like you need a change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
Sounds like you need a change.

Agreed. And if you get in with a HH agency and don't like it, you can always go to a different one since there are HH agencies everywhere. It will also look good on your resume' ;) Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

Honestly.... I always feel like Im going paperwork from home. In the hospital when your off, your off! Everything has its pro's and con's.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ha! My current job is on an Ortho/neuro/trauma unit and I feel the exact same way you do. I seriously feel like all I do for my 12 hr shift is disperse narcotics and get yelled at by patients when they can't have more dilaudid. Drives me crazy.

I start on Tuesday with a HH agency full time and this will be the first time I've ever worked outside of the hospital setting as an RN. I'll get back to you next week to let you know how I feel about HH compared to the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Omg exactly! Please let me know, I always hear that even a bad day in HH is way better then one at the hospital. I'm just so tired of all the politics and ass kissing to upper management. I love the idea of doing my own thing and not being constantly interrupted when I'm with a patient. I can't wait to hear how it goes for you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you really want a chance to mellow out, you can choose extended care home health instead of intermittent visit home health. Shift care for a stable patient, you do one nurse's note for the shift and you are done for the day. Most follow-up can be done while you are on shift. You can work as few or as many shifts during the week that you want. Only drawback: usually routine care for stable patients, therefore, usually rated at the LPN/LVN level and paid accordingly. Some agencies may respect their RN's that do extended care to pay them 2-3 dollars an hour more, but other agencies will say: our LPN rate of pay for this case is 17 or 18 an hour, take it or leave it. Yes, it can end up being boring, but then it can be steady work with a steady paycheck in as low a stress level environment as possible. Think spending a night shift in a rocking chair watching a stable infant sleep where the parents only want you to change the diaper at the beginning and end of the shift because they don't want infant sleep disturbed. An opportunity to consider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you really want a chance to mellow out, you can choose extended care home health instead of intermittent visit home health. Shift care for a stable patient, you do one nurse's note for the shift and you are done for the day. Most follow-up can be done while you are on shift. You can work as few or as many shifts during the week that you want. Only drawback: usually routine care for stable patients, therefore, usually rated at the LPN/LVN level and paid accordingly. Some agencies may respect their RN's that do extended care to pay them 2-3 dollars an hour more, but other agencies will say: our LPN rate of pay for this case is 17 or 18 an hour, take it or leave it. Yes, it can end up being boring, but then it can be steady work with a steady paycheck in as low a stress level environment as possible. Think spending a night shift in a rocking chair watching a stable infant sleep where the parents only want you to change the diaper at the beginning and end of the shift because they don't want infant sleep disturbed. An opportunity to consider.

Yes private duty nursing is very rewarding. However these infants are not as stable as you presume. In NJ I am a PDN RN I make 30$ an hour and include care for high acuity infants. Most are trach/vent dependent with feeding tubes central lines and occasional iv infusion. Shifts are 4,8,12,16 hrs typically.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My post was not intended to address all situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Forensic Nurse, SANE.

Maybe just take a vacation! Follow at fellow home health nurse for the day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I actually do both now. Yes, there is charting in home health but in my opinion it isn't any different than charting in the hospital. It actually takes me less time to do home health charting versus hospital charting. For home health you chart one assessment. For some floors in the hospital (I'm a float nurse) I'm charting q 4h assessments and notes. Plus all the chaos that goes along with being in the hospital! I do my charting in the client's home unless the environment is unpleasant. Yes I have charted from home but I have never had a 13-14 hour day with home health. I had a 13 1/2 hour day just this Saturday on a cardiac floor.

But I must say home health isn't for everyone. I love it and if I wasn't in school and needed a completely flexible schedule I would do home health full time. And I agree I have had bad days in home health but nothing compared to a bad day in the hospital. I recommend following a home health nurse around for a couple days to see if you like it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion