hoping to get into home health nursing

[colleennurse, ASN, RN]

Hello everyone. I am going to be looking for a new job here in a few weeks. I work on a med/surg/tele floor and I have had it with the hospital. I am just wondering if anyone can give me some constructive ways to answer the question I know I will get asked at an interview. I know if I apply for a non-hospital job, they will ask why I want to leave the hospital. How do you answer this question honestly without saying I hate it, it sucks. Because I realize I would need to answer it in a postive manner. Just wondering what any of you said when you left the hospital setting if applicable. Is it bad to say that I am looking for something with more of a set schedule but I still like having patient contact. I wouldn't want to say something that makes it sound like I am looking for something easier, because I am not afraid of hard work and I also realize that every job has some sort of stress to it. Any advise would be appreciated! Thanks

[peace_solace]

When I interviewed I told them that I would prefer to be able to focus on one patient at a time and give them my undivided attention without being pulled in several different directions at once. In the home, you can spend more quality time with each patient and family individually. I also told them that I would prefer to be able to care for people holistically and there is more of an opportunity for that in home care as opposed to acute care. Good luck to you!

[caliotter3]

I say something along the lines of peace solace's answer because it is the truth. You can really do a lot more for your one or two patients (I work shift work) than for a multitude. Just think of a positive statement like hers and try not to say anything negative about your former position. (And be aware that you can work yourself to death or drive off the road from fatigue in home health also). I used to carry a 7 day week up to 92 or 108 hours for quite a long time. Just not advisable.)

Hope you like home health. Since it is such a different environment, make sure you give yourself enough time to get used to it before deciding that it isn't for you. You can find a lot of satisfaction in the personalized patient care you find yourself with the time to give.