If new grads can't find jobs in hospitals...What about Home care ?

Nurses General Nursing

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Is it as difficult to get a job outside of the hospital ? What are the pros and cons of home care nursing ? This sounds much more relaxing than working at the hospital.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I don't know about new grads but my sister (RN for over 20 years) HATED home health care. She was so miserable, and swears never to do it again. It was NOT less stressful for her. In fact, out of the many nursing positions she had over the years, this one was definitely the most stressed I'd ever seen her to be.

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Specializes in home health, neuro, palliative care.

I wouldn't call it relaxed, but I definitely feel like I am giving better care than I was ever able to in the hospital. I have 15-20 pts, but for the hour or three I spend with each every week, I can totally focus. You have to be pretty autonomous, and comfortable working with doctors, therapists and especially family. I really feel it's much more patient goal-oriented and less task-focused in the field, so if you are someone that prefers the structure of specific tasks to complete, you may want to look elsewhere.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I don't know about being a new grad in home health because there is so much autonomy. Possibly an inpatient unit for hospice. I do home hospice and love it, but there is no way I could have done it right out of school.

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I agree, there is no way I could do home care right out of school! Most of the IV's I start are very difficult and there is no back up nurse if I can't get it first stick. Wound vacs can be tricky too. You are the doctor's eyes and ears. I just sent one of my pts to the ER.... (SOB, Nausea) Family watched her all weekend like this, then called me at home, not the MD) Picc lines clot off, mediports to access, labs to draw... It can be overwhelming!

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Specializes in Critical Care/Coronary Care Unit,.

i did home health for a short while and discovered that it wasn't for me, but i know some nurses that love it. i know most agencies require at least a year of rn experience. since you'll be the doctor's eyes and ears, i would definitely suggest getting experience in a hospital or a least a nursing home first to brush up on your critical thinking b/c when you're in home health....it's just you on your own...and it's your license/patient/conscience at risk. good luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Most reputable home health agencies do not hire new grads. If you are the sole medical provider in the home, you must be able to function autonomously. You must be able to respond appropriately in emergent situations. You must have the experience to assess the patient independently and anticipate future needs. That requires experience not obtained in nursing school. The same goes for travel agencies.

As for home health being relaxing....I've had no personal experience but fellow nurses tell me it's any but relaxing, perhaps due to the stress of being on your own. Paperwork is also a tremendous burden, from what I hear, and often done on your own time.

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I'm a new grad, and going on my third week as a home health nurse. I wouldn't recommend it, my training was minimal, and far from what a new grad needs. I'm actively looking for a skilled nursing facility or a hospital position. I think this will be my last week as a home health nurse. You are working completely independently. If you question lung sounds or how to do something your on your own to figure it out.

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I'm a new grad working home health and I like it but of course there are some disadvantages to this type of nursing like driving and paperwork is a big one but other than that it so much more relaxing than the hospital floor (I work ina hospital for two months!) Right now I have total of 6 patients so I would call it a part time gig since my agency is very careful about assigning patients to me,they are very aware of the fact that I'm a new nurse so they give me patients that are not very complex (by complex I mean g-tubes,trach) Usually my patients suffer from common chronic disease,many are either diabetic and hypertensive or both. I go in take their blood pressure,blood sugar asses their whole body system.Sometimes I change dressing.I'm also assessing for compliance with meds and then of course teach.I wish I had more experience so they would give me more patients.In future I'm planning to work both hospital and home health,if God willing.Try it out,it will make your resume look better!

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Most reputable home health agencies do not hire new grads. If you are the sole medical provider in the home, you must be able to function autonomously. You must be able to respond appropriately in emergent situations. You must have the experience to assess the patient independently and anticipate future needs. That requires experience not obtained in nursing school. The same goes for travel agencies.

As for home health being relaxing....I've had no personal experience but fellow nurses tell me it's any but relaxing, perhaps due to the stress of being on your own. Paperwork is also a tremendous burden, from what I hear, and often done on your own time.

That is not true for everyone.My agency is very reputable and we only accept medicare patients,we have positions for both office nurses and field nurses,I'm one of the two new grads that this agency hired.My boss assigns me less complex cases and if I'm uncomfortable with a patient he will send out another nurse.

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I wouldn't call it relaxed, but I definitely feel like I am giving better care than I was ever able to in the hospital. I have 15-20 pts, but for the hour or three I spend with each every week, I can totally focus. You have to be pretty autonomous, and comfortable working with doctors, therapists and especially family. I really feel it's much more patient goal-oriented and less task-focused in the field, so if you are someone that prefers the structure of specific tasks to complete, you may want to look elsewhere.

So true I only work in a hospital for two months and I feel the same way.I actually feel I do a lot for my patients and some really appreciate me.I can recall at least two patients telling me that I do more for them that the doctor do (I'm not saying it is true) who just comes in there and spends five minutes with them.Plus the doctors respect you cause they know you actually work very indpendently they listen to you and ask for your opinion.I actually has been able to suggest some meds to the doctors and they listened and wrote a new prescription. I also feel that I look out for patients more since at home they think they dont have to be complaint with meds so it really gives me joy to actually talk the patient into taking their prescribed meds.Also I'm actually talking with patients,getting to know them,give them a little attention that they might not get otherwise

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Specializes in WOC, Hospice, Home Health.

Watch the orientation time they give you. I went in as a new grad but had 3 months total orientation before I was set loose. Big difference imo, between a 3 month long structured program and 3 days shadowing someone. We also have a separate IV team so that lessened the learning curve some. However, I see vacs, chest tubes, trachs, drains, complex wounds, post ops, many an unstable patient, as well as the everyday management of multiple disease processes. There are things I love about my job but I am currently thinking about leaving to pursue something else-- the "time for a change" feeling. But that is just me being restless, not really issues with the job itself-- At any rate, I advise only taking a new grad position in HH if said agency has a specific program designed to guide the new graduate through those first few months. Previous health care experience is vital too.

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