Home Health jobs

Perpetual Student · Dec 26, 2009

I'm not familiar with that agency, but it sounds like they do private duty cases based on your comment on trachs & vents. Their reason for continuous hiring may be related more to low pay and undesirable shifts than anything horribly wrong with the agency. The pay is more than fair for the work in my experience. I get paid considerably less than I'll make in a hospital (IF I CAN EVER GET HIRED IN ONE GRRRRRRRRR--sorry ) but don't work anywhere near as hard and have lots of downtime to work on school work or read a book.

I recommend taking an acute care job of some sort if you can get one, but if not this may be a good way to pay the bills for a while. I definitely would rather do this type of work than LTC.

paacollins · Dec 26, 2009

Thank you for replying. I just passed my boards this month and, after the holidays, I am going job hunting. The local hospital is an option IF I can get hired. There are also a couple of nursing homes that are options. I really like the idea of home health because it is one-on-one and you have down time. I'm just concerned about being the ONLY one there and a new grad. I spoke to someone from Metro not long ago and she assured me they do NOT send you out alone until you are comfortable. Trachs and vents are not really my fav but I'm willing to give it a shot. I need a year's experience SOMEWHERE and then hopefully I can be a bit more choosy.

And, yes, these are private duty jobs, mostly Peds too. Bayada and Interim have tons of jobs posted as well but they all want a year's experience. They pay they list is better than the hospital but Metro doesn't list their starting salary. I'm going to talk to them soon; it can't hurt.

How long have you been doing this type of work and can you give me an idea of what a typical shift is like for you?

Perpetual Student · Dec 26, 2009

I've been at this for a few years now. The routine will vary considerably from case to case, as will the amount of downtime based on patient needs. I work nights so I generally have a lot more downtime than day folks do, though in some cases they have just as much. In general, you'll arrive, receive report, then do an assessment including checking all related equipment. During your shift you will continue to monitor the pt's status, admin any scheduled or indicated PRNs, suction as needed, manage any enteral feedings, and otherwise provide the same basic care you would to any pt.

One important thing to understand when considering this time of work is that you are in the patient's/family's home. You need to be sure that you treat them with the right level of courtesy and respect, and involve them in decision-making and listen to their concerns. I know that may sound obvious, but some people are kind of stuck in the "I'm the nurse, you're the patient and this is how it's going to be" mindset that is often somewhat appropriate in other settings, but is generally not appropriate in this. That's not to say that you need to bend to every whim of the patient or family, especially if it's something dangerous or inappropriate. But you should organize your shift to be as least disruptive to the patient and family as possible while still meeting the patient's health needs.