New Grad/HH - what should I do?

[epiphany]

I am mixed about taking a HH position right out of school. This is an intership program, and I will be trained, but I wonder if I should get my skills honed in a hospital first.

Can anyone please advice? Were you in my position, and do you regret not having had hospital experience? If you have had hospital experience before becoming a HH nurse, do you feel that your previous skills came in handy?

Thank you so much for your help.

[Mijourney]

I am mixed about taking a HH position right out of school. This is an intership program, and I will be trained, but I wonder if I should get my skills honed in a hospital first.

Can anyone please advice? Were you in my position, and do you regret not having had hospital experience? If you have had hospital experience before becoming a HH nurse, do you feel that your previous skills came in handy?

Thank you so much for your help.

Maybe it's because I'm a little old school, but I don't think you can appreciate HH until you've done your time at the hospital bedside. I'm surprised anyone would hire a new graduate to do HH. It's unlike practicing in the hospital where you have staff readily available to help you. You are on your own in the home in HH. How much orientation are they guaranteeing you?

I would recommend you start out in the hospital to get foundational skills and knowledge and maybe while you're doing that, you can work prn in HH to get an idea of what it's like. Best wishes.

[epiphany]

Maybe it's because I'm a little old school, but I don't think you can appreciate HH until you've done your time at the hospital bedside. I'm surprised anyone would hire a new graduate to do HH. It's unlike practicing in the hospital where you have staff readily available to help you. You are on your own in the home in HH. How much orientation are they guaranteeing you?

I would recommend you start out in the hospital to get foundational skills and knowledge and maybe while you're doing that, you can work prn in HH to get an idea of what it's like. Best wishes.

To be honest, HH is already my choice. I would only "do" hospitals as a training ground, and only if necessary, hence my question. They are training me for a year. So my issue is not in terms of preference but of doability. I spoke to them at length, and they guarantee me a strong support system.

What kind of situation do you forsee where a phone call to my resource person would not resolve my problems? Thanks.

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I do think that hospital nursing teaches you so many skills that nursing school does not. You also develop the "eye" to walk in a room and many times know what is going on without even thinking about it. You develop stength, hone your skills, learn new ones, learn what a "team" is all about, see a good team, see a bad team, learn about what "real world nursing is" vs school nursing. Totally different ball game. I think it develops compassion and intelect, directing skills, organizing skills, time management, and you also get exposed to the game of health care politics which is a "game" I had no clue about.

renerian

[bebop1]

I am glad I worked in the hospital first. I got great training....and I work in home health in Louisiana...and they will not hire a nurse until they have one year experience already so you may want to check for whatever state you are in. Home health is what I love, but a lot do not like it....if you are new...you have time to find where your 'love' is! good luck!