I'm confused....

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New LVN here, Currently at LTC facility in their skilled nursing unit ( 6 months). I am thinking about HH. A co-worker, LVN 18 years, is doing HH part time. She tells me that I should try it. I was waiting to obtain more experience before "going it alone". My co-worker tells me that I do not need more experience, that all she does is take vitals, fsbs, teaching, wound care. According to your posts, there are more skills required for this field. I would love to start one day per week, and will probably go ahead and apply just to try it. Is there different types of agencies where some require more skills than others? I am working sat & sun 16 hrs per day, and would keep this for the experience. Is what she is telling me the "NORM" for HH?? I do not think she is not telling me the truth, but I find it hard to believe that someone will pay you $30.00 pr visit / 8 to 10 visits per day just to take vitals, wound care, fsbs, admin insulin and the paperwork. Please respond........ THANKS>

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Specializes in Home Health.

Hi Harley,

I think your friend has simplified it a bit. I think a big part of the difference may be that some of the things you read here are regarding the admission assessment, or the OASIS, and that can only be done by RN's, so it would not be your problem. This is both good and bad.

The good part is, you get to focus more on actual pt care. The bad part is, often, management thinks since you don't do the worse paperwork, you can take more visits, and I have seen LPN's be abused in that way, many of them very unhappy. But, those who speak up, and stand up for themselves have a better experience.

As far as actual visits/skills, I have seen LPN's and RN's do almost the same things. Both do labs, though again, LPN's will be dumped with this more often, it usually involves and extra trip to the lab, a PITA! Both do VS, RBS, wound care, wound vacs, foley changes, SP tube changes, but my agency only RN's do G-tube changes. I think skills wise, except for maybe IV's, LPN's can do anything RN's do in the field if they recieve the proper orientation and check-offs.

It reallt depends. In my agency, it depended a lot on who your manager was too. One manager was a dog to the LPN's, another was fair.

I think you would have to try it. The flexibility is wonderful.

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Hi Harley,

I think your friend has simplified it a bit. I think a big part of the difference may be that some of the things you read here are regarding the admission assessment, or the OASIS, and that can only be done by RN's, so it would not be your problem. This is both good and bad.

Thanks so much for the info. I am not looking for an easy job, but I just do not want to get myself into something that I am not qualifyed to do. Being a 40 year old NEW LVN, I do not want to hurt anybody, or get my self in a situation where I do not know what to do (skill wise), as I'm sure you know, are limited at this point. Glad to hear that the RN's do the admits and assessments, I know that I am not experienced enough for that! I think I will give it a try and thank you for your words of encouragement.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

It depends on what type of home health your doing, the complexity of the care. Might be peds, adults, vents anything.

renerian

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Hey,

I'm in Las Vegas and in HH we as LPN's can't do much, Wounds, VS, Med teaching, Diabetic care (insulin accu checks, teaching etc) foleys, but no IV's (even though we are IV certified) blood draws, etc. and they are paying us 28-32 a visit. Hope this helps

Cheryl

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Specializes in Home Health.

I see where you are coming from now Harley.

I would say you'd be fine, but you would just have to speak up if you are unsure how to do any procedure you are assigned, just like you would now. You of course would have to have an orientation, which usually involves a skills check list, so you should have a better idea of what you have to do then.

You will need to be able to assess a pt, as sometimes we walk into crisis in the home. Your supervisor is only a phone call away, and in my agency, we have walkie talkie type phones, so if I need wound advice, I can call up the gal I know who is a-one in wound care, and they consult me for cardiac issues.

You can ask for a ride-along on your interview, if you ask in advance. Usually, the only thing they make you do is sign a confidentiality statement first. Ask to go with a LPN so you will get a better perspective of how your day will really be, since most preceptors are RN's. When you get them alone in the car, do what I did and drill them mercilessly to find out the real deal!

I think a ride-along will do a lot to diminish your anxiety. It did for me. I said to myself, I can do this!!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

If I were you I would look up the TBON because I do believe that in order to work in home health you must have a years experience. And this is something set by the BON.. Let me see if I can find it so all of you wont think I am a fool....

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

I found it on the TX BON site but for some reason it wont post. Ill probaby have the FBI at my door in the morning for trying. Anyway, I would check it out or call around and see what they require as far as experience. Good luck to you!!

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I see where you are coming from now Harley.

I would say you'd be fine, but you would just have to speak up if you are unsure how to do any procedure you are assigned, just like you would now. You of course would have to have an orientation, which usually involves a skills check list, so you should have a better idea of what you have to do then.

You will need to be able to assess a pt, as sometimes we walk into crisis in the home. Your supervisor is only a phone call away, and in my agency, we have walkie talkie type phones, so if I need wound advice, I can call up the gal I know who is a-one in wound care, and they consult me for cardiac issues.

You can ask for a ride-along on your interview, if you ask in advance. Usually, the only thing they make you do is sign a confidentiality statement first. Ask to go with a LPN so you will get a better perspective of how your day will really be, since most preceptors are RN's. When you get them alone in the car, do what I did and drill them mercilessly to find out the real deal!

I think a ride-along will do a lot to diminish your anxiety. It did for me. I said to myself, I can do this!!

hoolahan:

Thanks for the info! I would not have thought of a ride a long, what a wonderful idea! Will be applying next week, getting dental work out of the way, but will let you know.

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I found it on the TX BON site but for some reason it wont post. Ill probaby have the FBI at my door in the morning for trying. Anyway, I would check it out or call around and see what they require as far as experience. Good luck to you!!

You could be right about this. I will try to find it on their web site. I have seen only two ads that said "new grads welcome" but I think those 2 ads are asking for new RN's. Thanks for your reply!

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