Leaving Home Health Nursing

[Kcattanp]

Has anyone ever tried to leave home health nursing? I have bee a visiting nurse now for 7 years. I went into home health because it was something I always wanted to try, had a very positive experience in nursing school. However, after 2 years, I realized I am more of an acute care setting nurse. Actually became homesick for the ER. I have been trying now for the last 5 years to leave, but I'm being told I don't have enough experience to work in the acute care setting. Prior to home health nursing, I had 13 years of acute care experience. I actually had one recruiter tell me it's been too long since I've read a monitor. I told her it's like riding a bike, you don't forget, and asked her to give me the rest right then and there. Of coorifice she didn't, was only an excuse. Anyone with any ideas or suggestions? Anyone else come up against this obstacle?

[BabaLouRN]

I have had that same piece of pie in my face. Sad, isn't it??

[Kcattanp]

Just to update. Applied and interviewed for 2 acute care positions. Turned down for both. Told by one person that acute care nursing and home care nursing have 2 different focuses! Really, I thought patient care is the main focus?

[caliotter3]

I strongly suspect you are encountering age discrimination vaguely disguised with their pp excuses. Hiring a new grad instead of someone with more than 13 years combined experience? Give me a break!

[gibsongirl]

I absolutely have. I took a refresher course because I was going back to fulltime after being in various outpatient jobs. A few things had changed but skills did not change and I was amazed at how it all came back. The course ended up being more to give me confidence and confirmation that I still had it. I applied for many jobs in and out of the hospital. I had a skilled nursing facility director tell me she wouldn't even consider hiring me unless I had that refresher course. Are you kidding me? I had 30 years experience from critical care to school nursing to urgent care and practiced as an educator, manager, supervisor. I had a master's degree! You know how new nurses aren't always treated well? "Old" experienced nurses aren't always treated well either. The supply outweighs the demand in my area. I had to go to hospice and homecare. I don't want to stay here unless I can go into management. At this point, I don't see that happening either so I feel stuck. Before you pay a large sum of money on a course, start networking. It comes down to who you know 90% of the time and that doesn't always work either. I wish you luck in finding your dream job.

[Kcattanp]

The age discrimination has entered my mind. Along with the fact that 20 years experience equals more money that I would have to be paid.

[Kcattanp]

Home care nurses provide just as much, if not more skilled care than hospital nurses. But it wears on you. The traffic, the parking, the weather, the wear and tear on your vehicle just to mention a few. And the financial-parking tickets, car repairs, shelling out more for fuel than you're reimbursed. I'm tired! If I have to stay in this field, then management will have to be considered. I think the days of floor nursing are over for me.

[gibsongirl]

I think it is more about age. If the manager hires you, they probably aren't accountable for wages given at hire. In general, young nurses learn and work faster, can work longer hours without pooping out and have more energy to do OT. It all comes down to that, not how much knowledge and wisdom you bring to the table.

[Libby1987]

I hear you in the mgmt option, that's what I'm transitioning into and my future plan. I love patient care and could continue do it but have had a good 8 year stretch in the field this time around and interested in returning back to mgmt. Aciuty and improved technology does keep the hands on care interesting though..

ETA What about infusion nursing? Either in the home or out patient?

[Kcattanp]

I've been looking into the infusion companies, but so far only per diem positions or part time.

[Kcattanp]

Yep. And younger nurses are easier to "mold" into what the manager wants. Where as seasoned nurses like myself, have our own way, and not so easy to change. But I still think the wages are an issue. Why pay someone $50/hr to do the same work that someone who is making $30/hr can do. It's all about budgets and staying out of the red.

[gibsongirl]

I have run into that as well. In a lot of those places, you are treated like the fulltime staff, even as per diem. Same holidays, weekends, call. No difference in pay anymore in lieu of benefits either.