How to get into HHC? New grad LPN needs advice.

[3sodapop]

I've just graduated and passed the NCLEX-PN. At the moment, my ultimate goal is to work in home health care as an RN, possibly even start my own business. I know I'm not experienced enough to do HH yet, so what would be a good way to prepare? Should I try to get into hh right away, or should I just wait until I'm an RN? I'll have 2 more semesters to graduate as an RN although I have no idea when I'll get in as a 3rd semester RN student. Plus, I don't know if it matters but I'm 45 years old.

I've got kids so I'm thinking about taking a 3rd shift NH job until I get admitted to RN program & then switching to 2nd shift while in school. But now I'm second guessing myself... is NH the way to go?

[MirandAck!!!]

I passed nclex pn in jan. I wanted to do homehealth as I was an hh aide whilst in school. I was repeatedly told you need a year experience. well I took a NH job and hated it. Kept applying for HH and now work for 2 agencies as HH nurse and LOVE it. Don't give up...try your school career office if they have one. keep applying...they are getting more and more short handed and willing to train you.Really it comes down to your confidence in your skills. I started doing a regular 5 day week 8 hr day patient and that helped A LOT.

If its what you want keep trying

[SandBetweenMyToes, BSN, RN]

It is true that as a home health nurse you are called upon to use all your previous experience on your own, without the availability of a consult with another nurse or doctor. Normally I would say you need at least a few years of hospital experience.

On the other hand...at our agency we have two nurses who spent several months doing their clinical consolidation at our agency, and were hired full-time because they have demonstrated good independent judgment, and have spent way more time with an experienced nurse preceptor than they ever would have gotten as a new hire (I got two weeks orientation...).

Just a thought...if you could find an agency willing to take you on as part of your clinicals, they may hire you directly after. I would say, also, that the programs that offer a lengthy orientation period would be best for you.

Good luck!

[desta]

I went straight from a BSN program to home care in NYC, and had a friend who did something similar in the Boston area. My agency had a program for new grads -- both bachelors and associates degree RNs, but unfortunately I don't know anything re LPNs. Don't know how common it is for home health agencies to accept new grads, but I thought I'd comment on the experience...

I went through an extended orientation/internship -technically lasted a year but we were pretty much independent by 6 mos. I feel I was well-prepared for what I needed to do my job well. Though a lot of people do think that you have to have hospital experience first, I'm sure my agency is not the only one out there willing to train new grads. And... despite having gotten some flak from some other nurses in the agency who did their two years of med-surg time .. I know my patients are getting safe and excellent care. Three quarters of the nurses on my team were also new grads and every one of them is a terrific nurse.

My only words of caution - if you are not sure that you want to be doing homecare long term (although it sounds like you do!) perhaps some hospital experience wouldn't hurt. It's tough to go in the other direction. I've found that despite spending 3 years in a reputable agency some hospital nurse recruiters seem to consider me not to have any experience. Also - as a new professional developing my own practice, I did feel that I missed out on being able to work directly with other, more experienced nurses and having the opportunities to learn from observing their practice. Plus, having the experience with higher-acuity patients certainly wouldn't hurt your practice in the community.

But if you are totally sure, then go for it!! An open-minded manager will recognize your years of life experience and commitment to the field for the incredible advantages that they are.