*NEW NURSE* with HH questions

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care, Coronary Unit.

Hello all!

I am a graduate nurse awaiting the taking of my state board exam and pondering my place in this vast world of nursing. :nurse: I currently work in an ICU (started as a tech and moved into an Intern position) and have been there almost 2 years but I'm not sure I want to stay in the ICU as an RN. I am confused about how to determine my place in nursing but am nervous about making a move without experience. :confused: I am seeking advice for my concerns. My desire going into nursing was to work in hospice or home health but should I wait until I have RN experience in the ICU? Or should I trust my gut instincts and move on from the ICU and gain experience in whatever field I find myself? Please help! Any advice and/or information about the HH avenue would be greatly appreciated, as I am ignorant in oh-so many ways! :twocents:

Thank you in advance! :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics/Adult Float Pool.

are you working full time in icu? i work 3 12 hour shifts at my hospital and moonlight with pediatric home health. the company i work for is awesome about working around my full time schedule. in return, when the bottom drops out at the house, i jump in as much as i can for the short term. maybe you can do some part time stuff, or travel nursing. you can get your feet wet without big long-term commitments. i know how hard it is to choose a specialty, and i'd say it's okay if you're not ready to commit yet, but if your gut says go, i say go for it if the job seems like a good fit. do some homework, ask questions. can you job shadow for a couple of days? what's the pay and benefits like, and what are your job expectations. make a list of pros and cons, and jump in! good luck!!!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care, Coronary Unit.

Thank you so kindly for your reply. I do work full time but more and more, the three 12-hours shifts I work don't work well with my child's schedule and I have no support system (lost my mom over the summer and both siblings live out of state) to help with childcare. In addition, I'm finding the environment less and less desirable as the days go by. I want to find my place where my values and beliefs as they relate to nursing are fulfilled. I have always had the desire to work in hospice and even more so after my mom's passing and also love working with the geriatric population so... I'm just trying to process where I could best serve the world regarding all of these things. It's going to take a little more thought of course but I was just curious about the general consensus of a new nurse working in home health. Again, thank you so much for your response! I am taking it all in! :D

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I started in 07' with home health acute care visits after only having three mos of med/surg, BUT it wasn't easy. If you have an opportunity to get some real good RN acute care experience in ICU I would suggest in your case to take it....for awhile. Think of it as more schooling, then you could get hired easily with home care or hospice, as you would have advanced skills.

Just my 2 cents!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care, Coronary Unit.

I'll take it! :yeah: It's good advice, thank you! :D

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Don't leave a sure thing. Continue with your ICU job and take a shift or two with a home health agency. Most people keep their hospital jobs and work home health shifts on the side.

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I'll take it! :yeah: It's good advice, thank you! :D

No problem, good luck to you!

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