New Grad in Home Health Nursing wants to know how to develop hospital skills

[Whimsical]

I am a new grad in the New York area who just got hired in a Home Health Agency. Initially I was trying to get into a hospital. I thought this was the right way to go since I have as of yet to develop skils such as starting IV's, drawing blood, inserting foley's, working with trachs, vents and the like. However, after 4 months of not finding anything in any hospital on any shift, in any field, I started applying to nursing homes and HHA's. I finally got called by a HHA and started in June. I am excited about being a HHN. I like the idea of so much direct patient contact. I am now in the middle of learning all about OASIS. I feel that I can learn and grow in any area of nursing. Ultimately though I would like to be an ER nurse or a Family NP. I feel so far from either one of those goals now. My question is though, how do develop the skills that I mentioned above while in homecare. I'm concerned that later on when the economy improves, hospitals still won't hire me, because even though I will have experience, none of it will be medical-surgical type experience. I thought about taking an IV therapy certification course and trying to get one assignment during this to maintain what I learn. I'm not sure of what course to plot to get back on track of pursing the goal of ER Nurse or Family NP.

I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

[annaedRN, RN]

I work in HH with a VNA and I do " starting IV's, drawing blood, inserting foley's, working with trachs, vents and the like. " plus wound care, wound VACs, lots of central lines ( only occasional peripherals), ostomies. So you will get experience...just make sure you get a good orientation, because you will need to be competent in those skills...you will be performing them independently without extra set of hands/eyes to assist. It's your hard earned license that is at stake. So just be sure to ask for help or more orientation if it's needed. But you will get the chance to master all those skills. A big emphasis on teaching so you need to know the disease processes, medications, procedures as well as the skills becuase you will be teaching these people to be independent. Hope HH works for you!

[Whimsical]

AnnaedRn: Thanks for the info. The HHA that i work for does not do IV and blood drawing. They do have an excellent oreintation though. I guess after I gain about 6 months to a years experience, I should try to change to a HHA that orientate their staff to these skills.

[caliotter3]

You also might want to consider a position in a subacute long term care facility. There are some LTC facilities that are entirely subacute and others have a subacute section. Make sure they hire you for the subacute area. While not a hospital setting exactly, you will get experience working with acute patients.