per visit rate question

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2007

Hi,
I'm thinking about going in to HH.
Looks like to make the same money that I make now working three 12 hour shifts, I would need to have 21 visits per week.
Is that average/doable??
Wondering how many visits you HomeHealthers do out there per week.
Do you guys get cancelled much?
I also wonder if you feel like, if you wanted or needed to, you could return to a hospital setting without feeling that you have lost any skills. I know you use a bunch of skills in home health, but not sure.
Thanks for your time , and sorry if this answer(s) is already in another post :~)
emm

Hi there emmjay................. :)

Well, I'd say that's quite "doable".

At our agency, we do anywhere from 6-8 visits/day on average. So that's a good bit more than what you're looking to.

But........... we don't do case management, either, so therefore, we can do more visits. With case management, you'd probably need to take no more than five a day? (you'd have to ask those who know more about that!)

Either way, I think you'll make out jsut fine!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2007

ooops.. forgot to addresse the "hospital skills" portion.

In HH we do quite a bit, actually.. lab draws, IVs, TPN feedings, a lot of wound care, foleys, access PICC lines and CVLs.. jsut depends on the patient's needs at the time. Some are just easy visits (assessments, etc.) and others might be more entialed. We don't do vents at my agency. But other agencies might. All depends on the agency and geographics.

I don't feel I'd have any problem going to a hospital setting... but I have NO intention to do so !

Not much there I miss.:trout:

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 30, 2007

ooops.. forgot to address the "hospital skills" portion.

In HH we do quite a bit, actually.. lab draws, IVs, TPN feedings, a lot of wound care, foleys, access PICC lines and CVLs.. just depends on the patient's needs at the time. Some are just easy visits (assessments, etc.) and others might be more entialed. We don't do vents at my agency. But other agencies might. All depends on the agency and geographics.

I don't feel I'd have any problem going to a hospital setting... but I have NO intention to do so !

Not much there I miss.:trout:

Emmjay · Dec 1, 2007

hey J,

I thank you so much for your input.

Was a wee bit worried I guess to give up the 'security 'of the hospital.

But I'm soooooo unhappy there! It's grueling as it sounds like you know all about. Even just workin 3 shifts it's taking the life outta me.

But I do love patient care.....so I'm thinking HH is gonna be good :~)

emm

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 1, 2007

hey J,
I thank you so much for your input.
Was a wee bit worried I guess to give up the 'security 'of the hospital.
But I'm soooooo unhappy there! It's grueling as it sounds like you know all about. Even just workin 3 shifts it's taking the life outta me.
But I do love patient care.....so I'm thinking HH is gonna be good :~)
emm

Wish you the best, Emmjay.... check out several different agencies if that's an option where you live, and choose from the ones that suit your needs best.

And remember... you can always do something else if you find this is not your cuppa !

Give it a whirl and let us know how you're doing ! :)

caliotter3 · Dec 2, 2007

The nurses who do visits told me that they average 6 to 7 visits per day and get paid mileage between visits. Remember that you can also do extended care in home health where you do patient care in shifts that run anywhere from 4 to 16 hrs, normally 8, instead of visits. Some people find this type of hh better suited to their work needs and the condition of their car. You get the advantages of doing patient care for only one patient. I wouldn't worry about losing any of your skills. Any skills that you don't use in hh can be quickly brushed up on, once you go back to the hospital. You might try signing on with an agency and doing hh for one or two days a week while you still have your hospital job to see how you like it or to find just what you want. Many nurses keep their hospital jobs and only do hh on the side for extra income. That is where the flexibility in hh helps. Good luck with your decision.