Home Health Nursing as a new graduate-any advice?

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I will receive my diploma as an LPN in about a month. My main goal in becoming a nurse was to do home health. I currently work as a home health aide and absolutely love it. My question is (for those of you who are more experienced) do you recommend working in a hospital/skilled nursing facility before doing home health and for how long? My predicament is that there are wonderful home health jobs available in my area, but I haven't been able to find a hospital/nursing facility that I feel comfortable working in. It seems like they all have internal problems or don't hire LPN's. I was just wondering what other nurses' advice/opinions are . . . Sharing your own experiences in home health nursing would be helpful, too.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

I rode with a nurse Wednesday and the company she worked for said they had a year internship for HH nurses that worked out well. If they find another nurse that is interested they may try it again. So I guess it is possible with the right support to go into home health without working in a hospital or ltc facility.

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Specializes in Home Health, PDN, LTC, subacute.

When I graduated I was offered a position in home health. I took a position in a LTC facility for a year instead. Now I work in home health and I'm glad I had that year in the nursing home. But, I never was a CNA or HHA like you. I would say go for it, if that's what you want. For the record, I do shift work, not visits.

Hope this helps!

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You should have an advantage in getting hired by the agency that is employing you as a home health aide. But I would still recommend working for a time in a LTC facility so that you have some licensed nursing experience. Most, but not all, home health agencies will not hire new grads, most of the time.

You can get some experience in a LTC care facility, then go to the home health agency and ask for a good orientation to only one case. If you are 100% thoroughly oriented to one case by the primary nurse, you should have no trouble.

She/he, along with the nursing supervisor, would be your resource. Also, most of the time, the family members are more than willing to help out. You might start asking to shadow or observe some of the nurses work with your home care clients. You could do this on your own time as long as you have permission and do not actually engage in patient care. Good luck with your plans.

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I graduated in December and got my first job as a home health nurse as an LPN. I didn't have the experience that you have as a cna and feel that things are going pretty well. I have one client that I work with for the whole shift and he is very self directed in his care. Maybe you can start out with a client who you are familiar with or who can self direct if you are feeling uncomfortable about it. Good luck!

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i think it depends on whether you are planning on doing shift work or skill visits,,,,,if it is the later, i think you need a good solid base before you are out on your own....get some med/surg under your belt first then head to HH

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