nursing agency/registries

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

This is the question I'm wrestling with too. One of my friends who has been an LPN for 4 yrs started out doing home health (and still does) and she gave me the numbers to some agencies. But my mom & a couple of instructors (all RN's for mannny years) said that home health should be my last resort b/c I'll "lose my skills".

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · May 8, 2012

Fortunately you won't lose your skills doing home health/ registry nursing. But unfortunately in home health you need at least 6 months to one year of experience to work for them, in most cases. The same for registries, around here anyway. If you work in home health you have to be able to think on your feet alot. You don't have another nurse there to bounce questions off, although an RN, is just a phone call away. But in the meantime it's up to you, especially in my case, I do high tech Peds. I've learned and become quite proficient with many skills/machines I never came in contact with at a hospital or LTC. Now in your area it may be different. Just be aware that home health is not a piece of cake job that is easily done, every specialty has it's own learning curve. Good luck in what ever path you choose.