New at home health and lovin it....so far!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Dec 17, 2005

. i don't have to do any oasis.!

jealous!

:rotfl:

hope you last a long time. let's keep home health our secret.

RNKITTY04 · Dec 18, 2005

Hummm.. I have been in home health for a month also, but am thinking of going PRN b/c I NEVER have time to pee, lunch is a joke. I work nine but get payed for eight, my home is a COMPLETE pigstye d/t no time for house work only paper work. Im sorry I just don't see HH as all that great. I am on my 7 straight day right now, fixing to run out the door to do yet another oasis admit and start a q6 antibiotic. PLEASE SEND HELP> :crying2:

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2005

I work PRN, I tell them exactly where I will and won't drive. I don't have to do any of the Oasis. Our paperwork is minimal and very easy to do. I am considering myself very lucky. I hope yours improves.

honeyb111 · Dec 19, 2005

I'm so glad things are working out for you. I know its a huge relief for you not have all the stress anymore. :icon_hug: BTW, how's that new grandson of your's doin???

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 19, 2005

Dutchgirl, I'm so glad to know you're doing better, and that there is, indeed, life after Med/Surg.:chuckle

I'm in the same place now that you were a few months ago---physically trashed, mentally burned-out, emotionally fragile, and on the edge of a nervous breakdown........I even burst into tears in my boss's office last week, and I NEVER do stuff like that. I wish I could afford to take six weeks leave, as you did, but I can't so I've got to figure out something else to do in the meantime, because I sure can't go back out on that floor right now!

Home health and hospice have always been interests of mine, but I frankly don't want to spend hours and hours a day on paperwork and driving, so I'd more or less put it out of my mind. I may need to revisit that, however........I really am glad to see you happy and doing something that fulfills you, and I dream of achieving that for myself one day.:)

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

I've been considering home health for awhile. Got some questions for you, please. 1. You are working PRN - are you getting enough hours this way - did you sign up PRN at several companies to get hours (I've heard of others doing this). 2. Do you end up with any "on-call" responsibilities as PRN? Thanks for your reply

SWRN84 · Dec 20, 2005

I have worked home care for 18 years. I've been a case manager and a supervisor, but have been working as a prn visit nurse for the last 3 years. I like having the flexibility of making my own schedule. I am fortunate that I don't work for a huge company so I do get to see some of the same patients and they get to know me. I do have to do OASIS, though, and I don't get paid as much as Dutchgirl, but it's worth it right now to be able to set my schedule. I generally work 4 days every week. I don't have to take any call during the week or any primary call on weekends. I have to take second call (be available for visits basically) for 2 holidays per year. It's not a big deal. I do remember when I was a case manager, the paperwork was difficult to keep up with and is unrealistic to think you can get it all done at work and not have to do any at home. I don't need benefits right now so it's okay as far as that goes. The down side to prn home care for me is 1)when the agency is slow, I don't work as much and it's not like I don't "need" to work, but fortunately that doesn't happen very often. 2)sometimes I miss being a "regular" employee with benefits, a regular paycheck, etc 3)sometimes I miss not being a case manager, and sometimes it's hard walking in on a new patient, not knowing what their normals have been. But for me, where I'm at now with my life and my family, this is working out well. I think a lot of it has to do with the agency you work for, your supervisors, etc. I also find that if you are flexible with them, they will also be flexible with you.

I worked for 2 agencies at one time. One was actually an agency (Favorite Nurses) and I worked through them via another home health company. It was too hard for me to plan when I would be available for both companies, so I ended up dropping that gig. I do think if you have to have a certain amount of money coming in, to really get some feedback from nurses who work in the agency you may be considering, to see if the hours are there. And again, I think if you are flexible and available for them, as far as how many visits you'll do, or if you volunteer to work extra or some weekends visits, or if you don't really mind driving too much, you will get all the visits you need. I hope that helps you answer some of your questions, Nascar nurse. Good luck in your decision.

Dutchgirl, I remember reading some of your previous posts and how distressed you were. Glad to hear you've found something that fits for you and is less stressful.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 23, 2005

Dutchgirl, I'm so glad to know you're doing better, and that there is, indeed, life after Med/Surg.:chuckle
I'm in the same place now that you were a few months ago---physically trashed, mentally burned-out, emotionally fragile, and on the edge of a nervous breakdown........I even burst into tears in my boss's office last week, and I NEVER do stuff like that. I wish I could afford to take six weeks leave, as you did, but I can't so I've got to figure out something else to do in the meantime, because I sure can't go back out on that floor right now!
Home health and hospice have always been interests of mine, but I frankly don't want to spend hours and hours a day on paperwork and driving, so I'd more or less put it out of my mind. I may need to revisit that, however........I really am glad to see you happy and doing something that fulfills you, and I dream of achieving that for myself one day.:)

Gosh, I am so sorry I KNOW how it feels to be so burnout you feel you just can't take another hour. I will remember you in my prayers. I work for a small home health agency. We have 80 patients. I see only patients in my town. The paper work is not bad. We use bubble charting. It's like taking a test. Circling numbers. If you decide to look for a job in home health ask if they do bubble charting. I can work and as little or as much as I want. I don't have to take any call. I was told yesterday, the office is closed Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon so no one is working. I have not been told that in 30 years! (I know there is someone on call for emergencies and that's all she works) I am going back to the hospital PRN. I work Jan 1st. I am determined to go back and prove to myself that I have survived the burnout. After that I don't know how much I'll be working at the hospital. I hope at least one day a week to keep my skills up to date and sharp. Please e-mail be privately if you need to talk. I will pray for you. God Bless.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 23, 2005

I wish I could afford to take six weeks leave, as you did, but I can't so I've got to figure out something else to do in the meantime, because I sure can't go back out on that floor right now!

Marla, We have PTO which I'm sure you also have but we also have other hours that can only be used if you have surgery. EIB hours I think? I found out you can also use these hours if you take advantage of the FMLA. That's how I afforded to take off. Between the EIB hours (I had alot) and a few PTO hours I made it last. Hope you have EIB hours and this helps.