If I am able to work immediately as a home health RN, should I do this?

[heynow]

I am a new grad BSN RN officially as of July 2013. If I am able to work as a home health RN, should I do this while continuing my job search? Ideally, I want to work in acute care or critical care areas because this is where I had my capstone experience. But I want to be as proactive as possible and keep getting experience somehow! Any help/advice please!

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

I wanted to work home health but was hesitant due to lack of clinical experience. Although I have known others that have done this and they say the family will help troubleshoot equipment etc., I didn't like feeling ill prepared due to my lack of experience in case of any emergencies that could arise or subtle signs I may have overlooked in the client. Often in home health patient's you are their primary provider and if you feel you have very sharp assessment and critical thinking skills, maybe this will work for you.

[CrazyGoonRN]

To be a good/safe home health nurse in my opinion you need to have experience. Home health nurses work independantly and there is not another nurse around the corner to ask for advise when you do not know what to do. You also need a very good orientation which many home health agencies do not give.

[esjuan45]

Consider the job, good for you being hired in a home health even w/out experience, but that's how to start. The trend is, mostly hospitals, LTC and home health requires experience, they turn down applications or you'll not get a call if they knew you are inexperience specially for newly grad or RN passers. I got my RN license last May 2013 and started to apply in July and sad to say I have'nt heared any call or reply from them.