Homecare Advice

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So I have 3 yrs of med/ surg float experience. I worked on different tele unit, neuro, tried ICU, floated to ER for pts in holding, floated to Eating disorder unit, radiation oncology, orthopedics, and some radiology experience. I just got floated all over the place.

I did most of this through the agency. Make a long story short I needed a job with benefits and floor nursing is not for me. Decided to try homecare, but I'm having doubts. They said the charting is INSANE! I'm suppose to work 8hrs a day and I'm wondering how's that possible with seeing 6 to 7 pts a day?

I'm at the end I the road. I'm pretty much done with the floor. So if this doesn't work out, I'm out of options as I live on the East Coast and jobs here are hard to find.

I'm starting on Monday. The educator said its going to take a yr for me to get comfortable with the charting. Yikes! Also, the weather is insane here. I'm not sure how this will pen out. I just want some feedback. I've seen the horror stories on here already.

I was offered 33/hr with benefits. Is that a good offer? Plus, 55 cents per mile. I also have 3 months of homecare experience.

Thanks Any Feedback is appreciated!

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Home health is nice generally somewhat more relaxing as if its almost tho you get 'breaks' when driving between patients (although I somehow end up spending most of this time on the one with doctors). Generally im scheduled to see about 4-7 patients a day, however all my patients seem to fall on MWF except my everyday patients. So in this case i try to arrange to see as many patients on MWF as possible and usually work from 8-9 to 4-6 ish. then i spend tues and thurs catching up on paperwork and seeing just 1-2 patients (most of the time). so far this is working out just fine since we have 2-3 days to file regular progress notes. 33 and hour is good. im an even newer nurse and get $28 and hour full time salarly supposed to move up to $30 after 6 months. just make sure to not get overloaded with patients bc full time nurses are asked to admit and see eveeryone. .55 cents a mile is very good i get .40 per mile which covers more than gas with a smaller car.

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Thanks for the response. I live in the North Jersey area. Also, it's part time. 4 days wk. The ride along nurse said you have to turn in the charting by 10 pm or you get dinged or something like that. Thanks again.

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is it computerized charting? I think that's the way to HH. That way you don't have to go in to the office every day and can chart in the patient's home. I try to chart as much as I can in the home, then try to finish my charting in the car in the patient's driveway before heading to the next patient. Otherwise, at the end of the day I will forget everything. Other nurses I work with finish their charting before they return home. That way you don't have to literally bring work home. I think your hourly pay and mileage is great.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

The pay and the mileage sound good. The company has an educator, another positive. I like that the educator told you the truth. Home care is a speciality and it will take you about a year to really under get it. Go for it!

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I too live on the east coast and let me say that sounds like a good deal. We aren't offered any benefits, we are considered "per diem" so no sick vacation or health benefits and we don't get travel!

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Wow, Farmer at heart RN, that is crazy. Well, I'm in the middle of my orientation. It feels overwhelming. Learning about the OASIS charting, insurance companies, supplies etc., I feel nervous about it, but I'm sticking with it because every time I even think about going back to the hospital, I get this sickening feeling in the bottom of my stomach. Thanks for all the advice.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

There is definitely a learning curve in home health. Home health is a specialty. There are many things you need to learn that are nearly exclusive to Home health such as, Medicare Conditions of Participation, OASIS, home care documentation, etc. And its a big adjustment if you have never worked out in the community before. You have to get used to working out of your car, learning your territory, finding the labs and time management. Furthermore, change is always stressful. I recommend you get this book. It helped me greatly! The Handbook of Home Health Standards: Quality, Documentation and Reimbursement by Tina Marelli. Hang in there!

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ParadiseboundRN, thanks for the advice. Even though I have nursing experience, I just feel almost completely out of my element, but I understand why. Honestly, I'm not going stress over it. I'm going to try and learn as much as I can. I know I will have plenty of questions in the beginning, but slowly, I will start to get it. Thanks for the book recommendation.

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So I guess I really don't know what really happened. I'm turning in my resignation letter tomorrow. The entire month of orientation just felt like pure torture. I actually thought this would be a better alternative to working in the hospital. Politics never dies I guess. I know that I gave it my all. What else can I say?

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

What are the issues? Is it just politics or did you not like home care? Are you going back to the hospital or trying another agency?

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[TD=width: 233]Maybe this is not just your forte. Just move on and you will find what you're looking for.[/TD]

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