home health vs. hospital

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I am strongly considering trying to get a job in the home health field as opposed to a hospital. I am just getting started in the program, so I have plenty of time to think about it.

Does anyone have an opinion?

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sometimes it helps to arrange to go out with a home visiting nurse for a few days to see what it's like

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I am strongly considering trying to get a job in the home health field as opposed to a hospital. I am just getting started in the program, so I have plenty of time to think about it.

Does anyone have an opinion?

I did home care and I felt that I wasn't learning anything, I decided that home care would be a great area at the end of one's career, but I was hungry for knowledge. Once you learn your one patient, well, that's it. Home care also can be very difficult in that I found it is unavoidable to become involved in the family dynamics surrounding the patient, and in my case, that was not a good thing. Perhaps case management would be more interesting and challenging. I would say, go for a hospital job. That is where you will really learn and develop experience you can take anywhere.

Just one opinion here, of course, you should go with your gut.

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some of the things that a home visiting nurse does include:

wound care - all kinds of skin problems, treatments, products

diabetes - insulin and related devices & patient teaching

colostomy care

eye drops

some IV meds and devices

heparin

medication prepouring and monitoring

vital signs

etc

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Hi jade,

I am a home health nurse now, my first job out of nursing school. I just left there and am now starting at a local hospital in the OR. There is just soooooo much paperwork in home care, so many phone calls to drs and playing phone tag. And on an average with an admission your seeing at least 6 pts, sometimes im doing paperwork for 5hours after i get home. And only getting paid for 7.5 hours. I want my life back!!!! Just my thoughts!!! some people like it, i just went into some nasty homes.

Pam

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I spent 19 years in ER and just started a home health job. I don't think I would feel comfortable with a new grad in home care, without hospital experience.

note I am not at the end of my career!!!!!

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Specializes in Lie detection.

Not to mention, who says you only have ONE patient????

I have TWENTY FIVE!!!!!! I learn plenty and I am also not at the end of my career. But I agree with Tazzi, not a good idea for a new grad.

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I think you should work in a hospital and suck up as much knowledge as ya can,especially if you are physically able to do so .You could take that knowledge to homecare,where you are pretty much on your own.

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I won't do it as a new nurse. There is so much more to learn on the job after nursing school. And the best place to learn is the hospital.

good luck any way choose:nono:

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