New Grad Home Health

Published

Hey Everyone!!!,

I am a new grad RN and I am considering going into home health. Hospital jobs are scarce these days and after filling out countless apps with no prospects of an interview I had to get this show on the road.Moving along I began to apply at nursing homes and what do you know I have work, but I hate it. I work on a rehab unit in a nursing home I have 40-46 pts on a regular basis(well I work 7p-7a so from 7 to 11 I only have 12- 20(rehab side) the other 28 are pretty much ltc, 12-14 of these pts are skilled which means I have to chart I have tube feeds (9),diabetics, ppl with wound vacs,dialysis pts,pts transferred directly from the hospital, and ****** unsupportive coworkers, plus I'm suppose to know everything bc I'm the RN (that's what they say smh) . Sometimes I have to float to other units and yikes. I have been at this job since July 3rd and I'm ready to throw in the towel. I wanted to do 6 mos, then it was october bc in that time I can pay off my bills,now I'm like.....I work 3-12's thank god for that only 3 days in that place. Iam miserable but I need money, but I'd wrather not jeapordize my license but.....I know bashing my job won't help but I always have to stay over I mean hrs sometimes I get off at 9:30 and I don't get paid OT.

Enough with the background info. My mom is a home health nurse and she loves it. So I am thinking of following mommy but she worked in a facility for a number of years before becoming a home health nurse. I have two job prospects at the moment. So what do you gals/guys think. Should I try it? Or should I continue to work in this unsafe environment.

Any insight would be helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most home health jobs require one year of experience. Stay where you are and get your one year of experience. Yes, I know you hate it. I hated working in LTC too. I am now in home care and I love it. Force yourself to stay one year so you can do home care. It's worth it!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You will probably find that home health agencies won't be willing to hire you without the one year of experience. Advise you to stay with the job that you have until you can successfully get a new job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Just my humble opinion: If you are not able to work smartly and efficiently, as well as build teams in a LTC/rehab environment, you will not be able to be an effective home care nurse. Are the other nurses staying late the way you do? Are others leaving on time (or reasonably close)? I also worked in LTC/rehab fresh out of school and understand the requirements, so I'm here to tell you that if you can't manage in that environment, you will not manage in home health. Take a look around you and see what you need to do to change yourself and your work practices to adjust to the enivronment you're in. Ask other nurses who seem to be handling the workload better how they do it. Ask for training, mentoring, whatever it is that would help you succeed. I hate to sound like a meany, and don't intend it be an "eat your young" sort of thing, but even nurses with many years of experience have difficulty with the transition to home health and they have a foundation to build on. Get your foundation first, before you try to enter into a field that has very little structural support.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

well I 've made m decision I'm quiting and going to home health. I'll get it at some point. Also of course there are not other nurses staying as late as I do, maybe one. I have found some new grads who do home health and it s ok for them so I should be able to do it. I worked as a home health aide since I was 18 which is how I paid for college,so I'mjust going to trust myself,thanks for nothing everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just my humble opinion: If you are not able to work smartly and efficiently, as well as build teams in a LTC/rehab environment, you will not be able to be an effective home care nurse. Are the other nurses staying late the way you do? Are others leaving on time (or reasonably close)? I also worked in LTC/rehab fresh out of school and understand the requirements, so I'm here to tell you that if you can't manage in that environment, you will not manage in home health. Take a look around you and see what you need to do to change yourself and your work practices to adjust to the enivronment you're in. Ask other nurses who seem to be handling the workload better how they do it. Ask for training, mentoring, whatever it is that would help you succeed. I hate to sound like a meany, and don't intend it be an "eat your young" sort of thing, but even nurses with many years of experience have difficulty with the transition to home health and they have a foundation to build on. Get your foundation first, before you try to enter into a field that has very little structural support.

Yeah I am a brat. No other nurse (well of course one does 11-7 prt, the 7-11 is kind of simple) in my facility works my floor on my shift. Also I am one of the only floor RN's another new grad and I. So I am resposible for the iv's which adds time, there are also wound vacs which take time to put on. The nurse that does do it she gets done on time but she is on vacation and people are refusing to work her shift. I know they can easily replace me with some other dumb new nurse (or what they think).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck, I have worked in LTC and over a year on a med surg hosptial floor. I have been a home health nurse for 4 weeks now. I am still trying to find my groove. Some days are GREAT other days I feel like I am not getting it. You have to realize you will have homework especially in the beginning. I am still building up my clients and have been filling in for the nurses on vacation like this coming week. I really like home health just can't wait till I get the hang of things and build more confidence. Good luck just remember the grass is not always greener.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, the grass IS greener...I have found less back stabbing in hh than in the hospital where I suffered for one year in med surg. Granted, I work as a perdiem, did not want the stress and responsibility of case managing. I do work 5 days a week usually, and am learning a lot. I have been in hh almost two years now.

BTW, I am an older (50s) 2nd career nurse. If you can (afford to) work per diem I would recommend that. I have several rns as well as the clinical mgr who are a phone call away...if you can get that, go for it...good luck!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Good luck, I have worked in LTC and over a year on a med surg hosptial floor. I have been a home health nurse for 4 weeks now. I am still trying to find my groove. Some days are GREAT other days I feel like I am not getting it. You have to realize you will have homework especially in the beginning. I am still building up my clients and have been filling in for the nurses on vacation like this coming week. I really like home health just can't wait till I get the hang of things and build more confidence. Good luck just remember the grass is not always greener.

Thanks I hope it is greener. because the grass at my facility has been burned by the sun and it hasn't rained for months (lol).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good luck! I totally understand. I stayed in ltc for the required year and it has just about ended my desire to be in nursing...until I QUIT for a hh job which I haven't started yet! I was going to suggest that if you stayed in your ltc job that you keep documentation of everything; notes for yourself. As you said, the environment you have been working in risks your license and the company is bigger than us little nurses! Good move. I hope you like hh!!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

If your mom is a home health nurse, have you asked her if she thinks you're ready?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If your mom is a home health nurse, have you asked her if she thinks you're ready?

She didn't state whether she thought I was ready or not. She wants me to try it. She even tells me she will train me with her client. Her client alsowants me because I am young.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion