New to home health

nursynurseRN · Nov 6, 2012

If its per diem hh you probably won't make enough money. Just because it seems like most agency's pay per visit and most of the time you will only see about half the patients you are assigned. That has been my experience.

MakemehappyRN · Nov 7, 2012

Its a full time position....how did you enjoy the job?

nursynurseRN · Nov 7, 2012

Well I think it was a very flexible job. Gave me a lot if room to run errands in between patients. Big problem I found for me is that now your on their turf. Not like in the hospital, it's not like they are at your mercy. If they don't want to see you then they don't in home health. I find the problematic patients more difficult in hh then in the hospital. No back up either, you are on your own. It's had many pros and cons but if it works for your lifestyle then go for it.

livelaughlove09 · Nov 10, 2012

All this really depends on the agency. I never considered home health, in fact it was at the bottom (rock bottom) of my list of nursing jobs I was interested in doing. Surprise surprise! I love home health. I am paid per visit and there is never a shortage of work for me. Sometimes I get calls begging me to take on another client because schedules are so full other nurses can't take them. I have had multiple paychecks where the take home was double, yes double, what a hospital paycheck is. Yes that does mean I'm doing plenty of visits but the stress level is much lower. Ive never, even during slow times, made a paycheck less than the job i left for home care. Yes sometimes the paperwork is daunting but it helps just to stay on top of it and not let it pile up. Organization is important, and confidence is key.

No job I've ever had has every been so rewarding. Sometimes you're all these clients have and seeing you is the highlight of their week. The home setting is very intimate and I've learned so much about people's lives and the dynamics surrounding them. Sure some places are not the cleanest of environments, you learn to say "I'm here to see you not your house" when they comment about their messes, but you're seeing a whole picture of a client and not what you see in the hospital. Maybe they need social work for community resources because they are unable to sweep that 10 year old dust bunny out from under the couch. You can help people in so many ways that they didn't even know you could help with, and there's. Itching that makes you feel more worthy than the client who says "you are such a good nurse," or "I don't know what I would do without you.". Hardest part is getting attached to these people because of the one on one care. I always say discharge is bittersweet because on one hand you know you've done the job you were sent in to do but you are going to miss seeing that person. It's just extremely rewarding.

I work for an agency that is not huge and we as clinicians are appreciated by the administration as well. It really makes a difference how you're treated as an employee.

You get difficult clients here and there but I smother them with sweetness and show them that I am attentive to their individual needs and it always breaks them down. People have a really hard time being grumpy to those that treat them with dignity and respect, and a little humor goes a long way.

eaduarte · Nov 22, 2012

I personally LOVE home health. I know it is not for everybody, but I enjoy it and I find the ability to have a different experience everyday rewarding. I also love the autonomy of it. I have worked in the ICU and in other units in the hospital and I have to say that I prefer the home health (being on the road) scene much more than the hospital. Of course with any job you have to deal with stuff from your supervisors, coworkers, and patients, but for the most part you are able to do your own thing and take care of your patients and feel very rewarded in what you do. With any patient and any family you will have to deal with drama, but it is all about how you handle it (as mentioned in the previous post).

I also agree with the livelaughlove09 that you make as much if not more money doing home health than being stuck in the hospital. Also the places I have worked are ALWAYS needing extra help and for me to pick up a few extra patients, which does help your paycheck immensely. Further, you are able to do things at your own pace, you are the one who creates your workflow of the day. You can get done early if you utilize your time properly or you can leisurely take your time all day and enjoy not being rushed. Ultimately it is how YOU handle it. Also I think that you really hone in on your skills as you are the only one out there seeing the patient and doing the care (wound care, IV start, catheter, etc) and you have to be confident in yourself and know that you can do those things. Of course, there are times when we all have an off day and you do have to let the office know that you were unable to do something and they are able to have another nurse go see the patient later to do the task you were supposed to do (which it happens to us all). However, these times are few and far between.

I personally love my patients and families, and I love being on the road. I enjoy seeing different scenery, trying new places to eat (when I have time), and just seeing different things in the community. I have learned a lot from doing home health and I have been to many areas that I did not know existed because of it, which I love.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.