New to HH - Need Advice a.s.a.p.

[CMLPNnowRN]

Hi!

I've been a pre-op/pacu LPN in an outpatient surgery center for 2 1/2 yrs.

I like the people I work with and the low stress at my current job, although that translates into boredom at times since we're a specialized center.

My previous experience includes med/surg, hospice, and SNF.

I'm paid hourly right now (I'm in Florida) and was offered a job at a HH agency that has offices all over the country.

I have 2 kids and according to the many threads I read here HH would give me great flexibility, something I don't have now.

I loved doing hospice and the interaction with the families, one on one, etc., so I'm sure I'd like the work as a HH nurse.

Some specifics:

1 - I would be paid per visit ($25), plus mileage (don't remember exactly how much now), cell phone allowance, full benefits.

2 - In the beginning (60 days or so) while I'm in training (the manager referred to it as "while I'm not on productivity"), I'd get paid salary, which would be based on 30 visits a week. This translates into a pay cut (not a major one), but I guess it could be offset if I did more than 6 visits once I'm on productivity.

Questions:

1 - Is that reasonable or am I being misled?

2 - What happens after the 60 days-salary deal and I'm on productivity - what if they don't have 6 visits a week to give me? will my paycheck be lower or they usually give you that base pay if the census is low?

3 - Is it realistic to think I can do 7 or 8 visits a day if such visits are available? Or would it be too much? What is an average day as far as how many patients you see?

Answers to these questions and any other insights would be greatly appreciated.

I have to give them an answer Tuesday and need the advice of seasoned HH nurses.

Thank you so much!

[intothemoon]

I also interviewed with a home health company and was given similar info. I was offered a base hourly rate for 40 hours a week while Im in training, to include computer classes, paperwork orientation, and following another HH nurse for awhile.

Once you are in productivity, the office may be able to offer you work besides patient visits to make up for a low census. You may do things like chart review, continuing ed, or office help. You may even be able to help out another local office.

Also, the productivity quoted was 30 points a week. A visit counts as one point, ROCs as 1.5 points, and an admit as 2 points. So a base of 6 visits per day.

[nurseby07]

If you are an lpn and doing regular visits then it is expected in my company that you will do between 5-8 points a day. It's very doable if they are all in the same area and have pretty basic things going on. What's rough is when you are have 15-30 miles between a few of your patients, then your day will be longer.

Good luck!

[CMLPNnowRN]

Thanks for the info so far!

So the figures look about right to you guys? ($25.00/visit, etc).

Thank you!:loveya:

[certwndnrs]

Home Health is full of ups and downs. Some days, you may see 10 visits, and some days you may only see 4 visits. Its a risk you take with home health. One thing you can't beat is the flexability of home health. I have always dropped my kids off at school and picked them up from school. If you have an emergency, visits can be moved to another day for example sick kid. I wouldn't leave home health for anything.