Calling all HH Nurses, roll call

Specialties Home Health

Published

Hi, as a newly appointed moderator, I want to live this forum up a bit. I just resigned my position as a HH supervisor, to go back to the field.

I have been a nurse 20 years, 17 in critical care, mostly cardiac critical care, and the last 2.5 years in HH, or asthma disease management , which I also had to leave because I hated to be in a cube farm all day.

I still love HH, even though PPS is the pits, even though the OASIS would make good kindling for a massive bonfire, and even with all the rest of the paperwork, it is the most rewarding nursing I have ever done!!

PS, I went back to my former VNA who is now paying $30/hr, yes, you read that right, to work 3 out of 4 weekends. Since weekends work well for me, it's a good deal.

Let's hear from all the HH nurses out there. Out of all those registered members, there's got to be plenty of us on this BB!! :D

Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

Hello - I am an RN for 2 years, started out on L&D at hospital. Didn't love the hospital setting I have to say. But was learning the ropes pretty well. Went to nights and it all fell apart (couldn't sleep during the day). Left the hospital, started as a post-anesthesia nurse on the endo unit of a gastro practice and worked prn in family medicine. After more than a year of those things, I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with my life when I saw an acquaintance at a middle school orientation for our kids. She was in the car next to me when I parked. Stuck my head in and said hi. She looked harried so I asked what the problem was. She told me to get into her car (we had time before the orientation). I noticed she had mileage sheets and sup visit notes everywhere. She said she was trying to do 2 jobs and it was killing her. She explained that she is the ED of a local HHC agency but had lost her Clinical Sup several weeks earlier. So she was doing the ED job (huge job) AND the Cl. Sup job. Out of curiosity I asked what the clinical sup did. She explained the job to me and I knew it was MY job. I didn't say so though. Then she said "hey, you're an RN aren't you?" I said yes. She asked if I was looking for a job. I said "not really" but I would be interested in the terms. Long, long story short, she offered me the job on the spot and since it was exactly up my alley and paid quite a bit more than I was making, I took it.

I didn't know this at the time, but I am a born supervisor. I don't say this because I think I'm better or superior either, really. It is just absolutely perfect for me. The job fell into my lap (I believe everything happens for a reason) and I have fallen into the job. I have HUGE frustrations with the patients that I know are totally abusing the system and living as human parasites on society, but thankfully those people are the exception and not the rule, so I am finding a balance and the ability to compartmentalize and refusing to allow myself to become jaded by those patients. I am the supervisor over all of our CNA cases. We also have skilled nursing cases but our DOPS is supervisor over those, and I have to say, that is A-OK with me! I do Sup visits and case management and just about anything else that comes up (my specialty is putting out fires wherever they flare up!) and I am really loving it. Today I did a job fair and was networking with the local schools and hospice and got to know people from the other local home health agencies, which was nice. I am of the mindset that we are all in this together and we should all support one another with mutual respect and kindness.

I need a smaller, more fuel-efficient car, and I need a better GPS but other than those small details I am digging this job so much. Just today I was lamenting my lack of experience to my director and she said "you are so much more intelligent than I am - you will get this and probably be running this place some day." I totally disagreed with her, but it was a very nice thing to hear after 5 weeks on this job.

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

Well, congratulations on getting your job by being at the right place, at the right time. I'm a bit concerned about your lack of med-surg experience, since you were in OB most of the 2 years since you got your associate's degree.

It would be a good idea to refresh your knowledge of med-surg, infection control regarding wound care, and expectations of nurses' aides. Whenever you can get to a conference, try to select med-surg ones, and do continuing ed online (Iris isn't bad). Best wishes for your continued success with HH.

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Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.

I've been doing tons of continuing ed (probably far more than I need) and I do tend to focus on med-surg topics for the precise reason that you mention (lack of experience there). I haven't had the opportunity to go to med-surg workshops yet but am always on the lookout for them. I have taken every class they are teaching in our office (vent-trach training etc) and plan to continue that. I am acutely aware of my lack of experience in many areas of nursing but am taking, and plan to continue taking, steps to improve my knowledge and experience. So far I have been okay and have actually schooled the others in my office on some pharm issues and disease processes. It helps that I read a lot.

Anyway, thanks for the tips! They are always welcomed.

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

You'll always need more continuing ed, not just for CEUs, but because the face of medicine keeps changing. Think of it as clothing that protects you from the elements (protecting your license and from lawsuits), and at some times (like wintertime) you need more than others.

This is the time you need more...... as you will whenever you change the focus of your work.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

I just left med surg after 7 1/2 years, and am totally new to the home health area. I'm totally excited, and think that I'll love HH. I'm glad to be out of the hospital setting, which to me doesn't promote autonomy. Hopefully, this time next year, I will still feel the same way:)

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Hello, I am new to home care and I love it. Still working the kinks out and learning something new everyday. I still work at the hospital as a casual. The Oasis and other paperwork is the worst part. Any advice or hints would be appreciated.

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HH the paperwork is all too time consuming and too much duplication of information. Being assigned one patient 45 miles east and another 60 miles north is plain insanity...especially when you must MAKE a daily productivity quota of 5-7 patients. It is not in the realm of consideration that driving 50 miles to see ONE pt and then 60 in another direction to see ONE patient then driving another 60 back back to see the remaining 5 ...is WORK. The time traveling is not considered at all. If it eats half a day then so be it...work another 8 hours to finish visits and then paperwork deep into the night. Insanity.

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That is why -- after five years in the home health industry -- I have decided to hang up my car keys. I could not keep up with that pace. I am beginning my RN to MSN this August. I did not want to go "back" to hospital nursing so my only other choice was to try to go forward. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again. :twocents:

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I am still learning the ropes of HH and so far it still beats the hospital, most days I dont' leave the house until 8am and am usually home by 5-6. What bugs me is the cancellations. I can't count on a certain amount of visits. I also don't have any benifits at this agency. The paperwork I can usually complete on my down time or at lunch. Today I am behind so I am up early to get a head start. One thing I don't like is I can't leave my job, I continuously feel responsible for my patients.

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I am a second career nurse. Became a RN 2008, started at a hospital on a medical surgical floor, night shift. THen onto full time night shift at a local VA on a medical floor. Now I am full time home health days with no weekends. It is for a small company that has 3 offices in PA. So far so good, just a little worried about making close to what I was making at the VA. Still learning the paperwork and trying to find my organizational style.

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"The paperwork I can usually complete on my down time or at lunch. Today I am behind so I am up early to get a head start. One thing I don't like is I can't leave my job, I continuously feel responsible for my patients." What lunch? Down time?

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Like I said, still new and still learning. Down time is usually if I get to an appt early or it gets done on time with no extra problems to deal with. I also don't have a full patient load. I only have 14 pts currently. Not sure how I will manage it when I get to the expected 25-30

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