Home health nursing... safe?? What about PSYCH HH nursing?

[NurseCard, ADN]

Hi all...

I'm interviewing on Monday for a psychiatric home health nursing position.

So my question is... how many of you have done psych home health? I've been a psych

nurse for a number of years, and I do realize that the mentally ill, in a controlled setting at least, are not dangerous. But what is it like to visit someone in their HOME? I love psych nursing a lot, but I am a little nervous about visiting the homes of patients.

[caliotter3]

I was offered a case for a "psych" patient one time but I turned it down. I was told the client had just fired his entire staff. There were other factors contributing to my decision, but I just decided I did not need the daily drama for a 12 hour shift. After all, it is always a matter of limited time until I could be looking for a new case, as I see it. And that is for the clients that are not labeled as "psych".

[nursedaddy123]

Patient's homes are like battlefields where I'm at. I do regular Home Health. When you are in someone's home, they have rule, but as long as you're respectable they are okay. Give patients a couple day's notice before you visit them so to show them respect, ask about address changes, animals in the home etc. Call 30 minutes before the visit to make sure they're there. When you visit, try to park on the street so you don't block their driveway. When you enter their house be aware of your surroundings, watch for pets, and other people in the home. It's always good to know where the exits are. If you're a woman, I'd get pepper spray.