Med-Surg nurse new to Home Health.

[Luvsthesnow]

Hi all,

I am an RN with almost 6 years nursing experience. Much of it has been spent working in Med/Surg (I am also certified in this field). I have also worked in ICU, PACU, and Endoscopy nursing. I have been working night shift on an Endocrine/Renal Unit at my hospital for almost two years and am getting burnt out... Not just because of night shift, but we also are one of the busiest units in the hospital. I have done some Aide work in HH years ago while in nursing school and have toyed with the idea of working with clients again in their homes. I feel that I would do well given my years of inpatient experience and would like to be able to make a difference by educating my patients and help prevent readmissions.

Someone had posted a thread on what a typical day was like in HH (from 2003). Would anyone else with HH and Med-Surg experience like to share what they like/dislike about their position? Is there anything you miss about Med-Surg? How is your stress level in HH?

I interview next week and am excited about the possibility of transitioning into this new field.

Thank you for your input!

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Hi all,

I am an RN with almost 6 years nursing experience. Much of it has been spent working in Med/Surg (I am also certified in this field). I have also worked in ICU, PACU, and Endoscopy nursing. I have been working night shift on an Endocrine/Renal Unit at my hospital for almost two years and am getting burnt out... Not just because of night shift, but we also are one of the busiest units in the hospital. I have done some Aide work in HH years ago while in nursing school and have toyed with the idea of working with clients again in their homes. I feel that I would do well given my years of inpatient experience and would like to be able to make a difference by educating my patients and help prevent readmissions.

Someone had posted a thread on what a typical day was like in HH (from 2003). Would anyone else with HH and Med-Surg experience like to share what they like/dislike about their position? Is there anything you miss about Med-Surg? How is your stress level in HH?

I interview next week and am excited about the possibility of transitioning into this new field.

Thank you for your input!

Hey OP! I have roughly 3 years med-surg experience, and have been working home health for almost a year now. And I am happy to say, as of next Friday, I will be back in hospital. God, counting down the days!

HH-Likes-Slower pace, you get to know your patients pretty well. Autonomy.

Dislikes-HATE HATE HATE this M-F 8a-5p schedule. Days are just not for me. Going into patients' homes sometimes suck, they can be dirty, or smell like cigarettes, wtv. Then if a patient is creepy and inappropriate, you are alone. No other staff to back you up. Pay sucks. The place I am now doesn't allow overtime. The excessive, redundant paperwork. All the wear and tear on my car, sure, they pay mileage, but it adds up quick! No benefits other than a bit of PTO.

Hospital-Likes-more interesting cases. More possibilities for advancement and self-improvement. Better pay. Better benefits. Able to do overtime if I am broke. Better shifts, although I just prefer night shift.

[LaRN]

Pay sucks. The place I am now doesn't allow overtime. The excessive, redundant paperwork. All the wear and tear on my car, sure, they pay mileage, but it adds up quick! No benefits other than a bit of PTO.

exactly. if the pay isn't well above average, then you will come up short in the end. the end being when your car breaks down and you aren't even finished paying for it.