New Grad Hired in HH

[HealthyLivingToday]

Hello everyone,

I recently graduated as an RPN and received a job offer working in HH. It is a FT-Days salaried position at around $42,000 CDN, $0.40 mileage, benefits, matched RRSP contributions. This is full-scope of practice, 10-12 patients a day. I understand HH nursing is difficult with the wide varieties of skills I'll be expected to perform, and I'll be sure to receive proper training if I don't feel confident in a certain skill. I am receiving a 3-day orientation and 2-weeks shadowing soon.

My concern is the pay. I think this translates to ~$20 an hour + mileage. Is the 40 extra cents going to cover my gas expenses? I prefer the hospital setting however I am also interested in trying different avenues too. Hospital's in my area pay about $5-$10 more an hour. I guess I'll find out if I like this specialty in nursing enough to justify the pay disparity. All comments are welcomed. Thank you!

[oceanblue52]

$.50 is the standard governmental rate (unless it's been revised lately)...but a lot of HH jobs don't reimburse at all. My biggest concern is the patient load. 10-12 patients a day seems like ALOT. Charting is pretty intense and with traveling factored in that doesn't seem very realistic. One of my worst days in home health involved 120 miles and 8 patients. Salary seems really low too for that many patients. And as a new grad, you really want to make sure you have supportive co-workers/supervisors that will come help you out if you have trouble. Just some thoughts from someone else that started in home health as a new grad (this was in the US).

[caliotter3]

I can't address the CDN pay, but that is too many clients per day, especially for a new grad. What are they thinking?

[csaylor290, ADN]

10 to 12 a day?!?!?!?! Not realistic at all especially for a new nurse. I'd say 8 or less a day at first and maybe only 6 until you get charting down. HH nursing is in the feild seeing pt, travel time, and then charting time. So you could be working 8 am till 8 pm everyday finishing up work etc. Time management is huge in HH nursing too. I'm a new grad and I'm finding starting in home setting is hard for blood draw and port care. I was an lvn for 7 years prior and have tons of Wound care, drains, Wound vacs, catheters, etc. But not blood draws and Central line care or iv meds for that matter in reached out for help but I have been kinda ignored in feel like I'm on my own. I only wasn't able.to draw one person so far (91 year old female dementia) she was not.cooperative to day the least. I hope they support you!