Home Health vs Dyalisis

Isabelle49 · Sep 8, 2011

I'm in home health, but I think I would really like dialysis. Sort of similar that you'll see same patients frequently, but you are not running all over the place burning up a tank of gas in traffic and that is gas you won't get reimbursed for, since you are only reimbursed for mileage. I am ready to be out of home health after 9 years.

foxyroxyrn · Sep 9, 2011

Thanks for your input.I didn't realize u didn't get gas reimbursement!!

NPvampire, MSN, RN, APRN · Sep 9, 2011

Our company gives 40 cents per mile and I drive a diesel compact and barely break even.

KateRN1 · Sep 10, 2011

My last gig in the hospital was dialysis and I really really enjoyed it. If I were to go back to the hospital environment, I would go for dialysis over just about anything else. But I love home health care, always have, and can't imagine leaving.

shaversd · Oct 5, 2011

There should be a Fresenius or DaVita in your area, I know they are everywhere in Texas. I am a new graduate and wanted in dialysis so I applied to every dialysis center within a 40 mile radius from my home to no avail. They want someone with experience most of the time because of the lengthy time it takes to train a new nurse. You should have no problem since you have been a nurse for a while. Good luck. Oh, a children's home health agency hired me and I start work next week; I also like the idea of long-term patient care.

MsRN247 · Oct 6, 2011

you should really consider home health nursing before getting yourself into it. I say this because I started in home health as a new grad over 1 year ago, because it was a RN position that "trained" new grads. but really, not all agencies compensate for the gas/mileage. ask lots of questions. the pay per visit may be alluring to you, but when it gets down to the amount of time you spend filling out paperwork, looking up places you need to drive to, picking up/dropping off paperwork, it takes a lot to stick to a job like this. especially if you're not happy with the situation you are in now, in the hospital. its not as easy as it seems out here either! LOL:)

foxyroxyrn · Oct 6, 2011

Thanks for the info guys. I really am still undecidEd. Don't want to jump into either one until I have done some serious soul searching. The dyalisis center said there is a job waiting for me most likely. Haven't checked into any homehealth jobs available in my area yet. I worry about being tied down to every Mond. Wed. Frid. With the dyalisis job. We shall see!! Looking forward to moving into a nursing specialty.

mamabaer439 · Oct 8, 2011

I was dialysis nurse for 3 years and loved it. I like having that kind of continuity of care and every day is pretty much the same. I am now in home health and love it too. Continuity, autonomy, independence, making my own schedule and every day is different. Both are great career paths for a nurse. Just depends on what you like. Before doing home health, ask lots of questions about compensation. Most pay per visit, but I was lucky enough to get a place that pays hourly, $37+/hr.

mamabaer439 · Oct 8, 2011

I was dialysis nurse for 3 years and loved it. I like having that kind of continuity of care and every day is pretty much the same. I am now in home health and love it too. Continuity, autonomy, independence, making my own schedule and every day is different. Both are great career paths for a nurse. Just depends on what you like. Before doing home health, ask lots of questions about compensation. Most pay per visit, but I was lucky enough to get a place that pays hourly, $37+/hr. My first home health agency had at most 10 pts for the whole agency and paid $45 per visit. Only 6 visits per week. Not enough. Found this new agency with plenty of work to keep me busy.