New Grad LVN in home care

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Hi everyone, I am a new grad LVN, I am having hard time finding a job in a NSF. I found a homecare agency that hired me, after watching a video and going over some forms I was sent to the clients home by myself for shift care. I was and still am scare!! I know how to assessment and had plenty of clinical experience with G-tube but I feel totally alone with no support. What do I do?

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going straight to home care right out of school may not be the wisest thing to do for just the reason you mentioned. not having the experience and judgement that comes from years of bedside care may put you (and your pt) in precarious positions. I know it would for me.

I'm sorry, but I have no words of advice or wisdom. if you were hired by an agency, why do you not have support? they did know you were a new grad, didn't they?

my best.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Maybe you should look at the Home Health nursing forum for a bit more support. I have a friend who has been an LPN for about 4 yrs & she said HH was her first job out of school. She said she watched DVDs & videos on youtube , and that helped her know how to perform skills correctly. Best of luck to you with your new job :)

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Specializes in Peds, Hospice, Home Health, Dementia.

Hi There! I went in to Home Health straight out of school and to this day, 3 years later, I have not worked anywhere but HH. However..... the company never should have hired me right out of school. Do you have any prior medical experience? I had worked in the field for 7 years previously and had worked home health as a CNA. Are you doing shift work or visits? Geriatrics or Peds? You need to be demanding training er each patient you take on and do NOT be afraid to ask questions!!! I called my agencies DON so many times asking for her help that we are now best friends! ASK QUESTIONS! It is the only way to learn. You should not, however, stay in a position where you do not feel comfortable, confident or safe with your patient. In the end, YOU are the one responsible and YOU are truly the only one that can protect your license.

Feel free to message me with any questions you may have! Good Luck!

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I was hired by a home care agency, but they required at least 1 year of experience to be hired. Even so it was a bit tough for me being here by myself. One of the things I did was come in early before my shift & talk to the nurse I was relieving for any questions I had & for advice & I took a lot of notes. Then the nurse that would come into relieve me I would ask for tips & advice as well. Also when I was new the family was really nice & they also helped me out. So if you really wanna stick it out, the best I can tell you is ask for advice & take notes. Those notes were critical when I first started.

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Hi Su742!. I have a friend a new RN grad. She is orientating with an other RN nurse at the patient's house. That nurse us teaching and telling her all that she needs to know about this patient. I heard that you can ask your Home Health co. if you can show up and work along side or observe an other nurse at a home health client's house so that you can learn more about your future patient. Good luck. Do you have any other lic besides your nursing lic? I plan on getting ACLS certified soon this will help me feel a little more secure about emergency situations.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Did you have at least two hours of time for orientation by a nurse who is working the same case? If not, you must insist on it. You should also have accurate contact information for the RN who is managing the patient. That's what they are there for. If you aren't feeling sure of yourself as far as the specific skills you need with the patient, call your agency and schedule an appointment with the DON there to address your concerns.

Never go to take care of a client and just "hope for the best" if you're scared. I don't know if that is the case here, just saying that as a general rule.

Go online and research the heck out of every piece of machinery and equipment your patient uses.

You should never feel like you've been cast out to sea on an ice floe. :)

If the agency tries to brush you off, I would seriously consider not working for them anymore. I know we hear this over and over, but it's your license that can be at risk, and trust me. Your agency will not care about backing you up in most cases.

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Specializes in Hospice Care, Med/Surg.

If you need more orientation then your company should provide it. Don't let them throw you to the wolves. This is your license you'cee worked hard to obtain. Good luck!

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Hello!! I have been a Lpn for 12 years, and is currently doing peds home health. My company requires at less two years experience, because we have a lot of vent/trach clients. Our company requires at less a full shift or more (depending on the severity of the client) orientating with a nurse who is knowledgeable about caring for them. If you don't feel comfortable with any procedure don't do it, until your comfortable. For it could possible turn into a legal problem that you don't need as a new nurse. Best wish and enjoy your new career:)

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You should have been oriented to the case by another nurse, the nursing supervisor, or even the parent or family member. Don't be afraid to ask questions. And take charge of your own knowledge base. Start with a copy of the 485 and look up everything you are unfamiliar with or ask questions. Bug the nursing supervisor until you get the answers you need. Give yourself homework to do, just as if you were taking on this patient when you were in school. You will find that it gets better with time. But you have to give yourself time to feel more comfortable. One thing you should address first is emergency procedures and 911 protocol. When you start there, it helps you realize that you are more prepared than you think. If not, then get prepared. Be proactive.

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I agree! I was forced to resign after just four visits. The RN who got me in was very unprofessional and casual about her visits. She knew I had 0 experience as an LVN and did not attempt to do an assessment for the sake of teaching. She kept saying, it's easy, just go for it. Thank God for his wisdom, I realized early on that she was not going to help me, plus other thing that happened made me think straight. Even though I need to gain experience, I don't want to lose my license either. Listen to your gut. Good luck!

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