New nurse here. Unsure about this job?

[firefly101]

Hey everyone,

I passed the NCLEX-RN last week and just received my license number! I am really excited and have been sending out job applications like crazy. I got a call back from a private home health care company almost immediately. As a new grad I am not going to be picky about where I start out, but I'm a little nervous... This caller stated that their facility loves hiring new grads and would like to set up an in person interview right away. It sounds like he wants me to monitor patients on vents/trachs over night. I would love to learn how to take care of patients on trachs/vents, but I have ZERO experience in this area. I'd be alone, and I've read MANY posts by nursing warning other new nurses about to take similar jobs to "be careful" "protect your license" and "i would never let a new grad do that sort of work." I'm naive and inexperienced, and would like other's opinions on what I should look out for and pay attention to. They wouldn't really throw me out onto a case that would be tough for a new grad, risking my license and their reputation, would they?

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Find out what type of orientation you would have. Would you be working along side a RT or a nurse for a few weeks to learn all about the vents and trouble shooting? In all honesty, if the training about the different vents is comprehensive and covers a lot, you will probably be fine. I'd want at least three weeks with a preceptor to cover the different basics.

[kiszi, RN]

I agree with applesxoranges that as long as the training is adequate you should be fine. Many nurses going into this type of job have little to no vent experience, so that's expected. My agency provides in-house vent/trach training and specific training to each individual case before a new nurse is allowed to fly on her own.

I think much of the warnings to new grads about home health are in regards to intermittent visit cases, where pts are usually fresh from surgery and/or acute illness and are much more unstable and unpredictable. That type of environment is not the place for new grads b/c your assesment skills and clinical knowledge must be well-developed.

[firefly101]

Okay thank you guys. I'm a wary person by nature so I question everything. I've been reading that some receive proper, comprehensive training, but others only get an 8 hour shift with a nurse and then they're on their own I'll definitely be inquiring about orientation.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Be sure to check out your state's Nurse Practice Act to see if this is permitted. In my state, new graduates are not supposed to work without immediate access to a qualified nurse supervisor for a specific length of time.