New grad, new home health job, seeking advice

[TXRN44]

I am a new graduate, although I have some experience with bedside nursing. I am working for a home health agency now as a case manager, and I am really afraid of the paperwork. I have not been with the case manager yet, as that comes next week, but I get a 7 week orientation training before they let me out on my own. They do Oasis and pay by the hour. Is a new graduate up for the challenge? I have been working with patients on skilled visits and find that the patients are about 90% "easy" meaning just basic wound care, teaching, and vitals and I absolutely LOVE LOVE that part. I love putting my skills in action and seeing the outcome of my teaching. I was told that they wanted a new grad because I can learn the right way from the beginning, however, I am reading this forum and learning about start of care, recertifications, discharges and feel like running for the hills lol. Also they do not like you to take paperwork home ever. Paid by the hour, about 3-4 patients max daily and the rest of the time is spent charting for a total from 7am-3pm. They said if I am really overwhelmed they would let me take my paperwork home, but they don't like that. No computers and most patients are within 5 miles. Any advice for me or tips? Most of the nurses supposedly get all their mountains of paperwork done before quitting time.... Is that possible?

[Kmrn609]

Hi! I'm also a new grad as of December 2012, passed board in January. I am currently working as a home health RN, and recently moved from per visit to full time case management. When I took the job initially, I was taking part in a 6 month new graduate residency program that doesn't formally finish until August. I am still often overwhelmed when I have a soc and lots of revisits, or multiple OASIS visits in one day, but it is getting a lot easier and I am getting a lot of oasis training. It sounds like you will also get some good training. My company uses computers and most nurses chart at home, however. And I can say that for me, at least starting out, I'm never done charting by 3. I'm lucky if I'm done by 6, but that is also getting better as I get more efficient during all types of visits. I absolutely love home health , and the paperwork is not fun, but if you let it get the best of you, you will hate your job. Just take it for what it is, do your best, and ask LOTS of questions!

[AnnemRN]

I think it's very doable if you're only seeing 3-4 pts a day and they are usually within 5 miles. Most agencies have you seeing 5 to 6 pts a day within a 25 to 50 mile radius. I think you're pretty lucky. It has been my experience that many times a paper system can be as fast or faster than a computer program.