Paid Vacation Time

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I'm wondering if there are any home care nurses out there who get decent paid vacation/sick time. I worked in a hospital for 25 years, mostly ICU and PACU. I took a part time job doing home care a few years ago. After I went full time I inquired about earning vacation and sick time, and was told I don't get any until I've been a full time employee for five years. Then, I get 40 hours a year, to use as vacation or sick time. Oh, and you can't roll over any time to the next year. Is it me, or does that spell burnout to you?? Of note, I CAN take days off, I just won't get paid for them. Your opinion?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Hope the salary makes up for no benefits! Employers don't have to provide sick leave, but I'm not sure I'd want to work for one that was that stingy or uncaring.

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There are hundreds of home care agencies.. begging for nurses.

Find one that treats you right. A hospital based agency will provide the best benefits.

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I wouldn't be waiting 5 years if I was full time... unless my pay and other benefits made up for it. There are many other agencies out there.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I wouldn't be working for that agency.

nope

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Holy crap! Absolutely not, no way, no how. I work PRN for a home health agency and they have policies much like any other employer (including the hospital I also work for). Starting on your first day you begin accruing PTO and can begin using it after the 90-day probationary period. I think employers that make people work even an entire year (much less 5 years!) before getting PTO are out of touch and are NOT going to offer an environment that I want to be a part of. I would absolutely look for another home care agency and not look back.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I wouldn't be sticking around with that agency regardless of the pay or other benefits. I probably would when I was younger, but now that I have a family you couldn't keep me there if I can't start racking up vacation time on day one.

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Specializes in Infection Prevention, Public Health.

Catcarelli, Could you have misunderstood them? Perhaps they offer only 2 weeks per year now and in 5 years you will receive an addition week per year of leave?

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No misunderstanding at all. If I didn't love the assignment I have now I'd be gone. I am looking though.

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