New nursing career

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, Psych, Home Health.

I have been a Med/Surge nurse for the better part of the last 9 years and have decided I want to try something else. I have an interview today at 2pm with a home health agency. I am a little nervous as I have NO home health experience but have gotten tired of the hospital. I seem to be in a rut there and there is NO room for advancement with out my RN (which I start next summer). If anyone can give me any tips/ideas as to what it's like as a home health nurse and what to expect I would really appreciate it. I usually have a hard time moving out of my "comfort zone" but I really think it's time. I am planning to keep my PRN status as the hospital but want to try something different. Thanks all!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

Well, you will enjoy the fact that you can give your 100% undivided attention to the patient that you are seeing, without worrying about call lights, doctors wanting you at their patient's bedside, etc. interrupting what you are doing. There is also a certain freedom to getting in your car and driving around town during your shift, instead of being confined to a Med/Surg unit for 8 or 12 hours straight.

A few negatives that I found with home nursing: You will get stuck in situations where the patient and/or their spouse and family are extremely lonely and don't want you to leave. You will hear about how well their African violets are blooming this year (wanna see?) and you will be invited to look at family pictures and listen to long, drawn out stories that have nothing to do with why you're there. It's hard to break away and not feel guilty, but if you don't, you will be there all day. Also, some patients live in rough neighborhoods where you have to watch your back, inside and outside of their house. This is not the norm unless you work in an inner city environment, but it will happen if you live in even a remotely urban area. And some patients live in dirty homes where you won't want to set your bag down, much less sit on the furniture. Again, the exception, not the norm.

Overall, home nursing can be fun, liberating, and rewarding. It seems like there are two kinds of people, those who like it, and those who don't. I hope that you are one of the lucky ones who loves it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, Psych, Home Health.

Thanks! The safety is one thing I am nervous about and hubby is really worried about it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, Psych, Home Health.

Woohoo I got the job! Anymore tips and advise for this new home health nurse with 9 years hospital experience would be greatly appreciated!

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