rnbrit

Left my job in the hospital two months ago to work for a home health agency full time. On paper the job sounded great. I was promised 30 visits a week and when I factored in the pay per visit rate it was more money than I made in the hospital. Well that hasn't been the case. In the two months I have been here I have had one week with a full patient load. The rest have been between 15-20. They promised me I would stay within my home area but they have me driving 20+ miles out each visit each day. My days would be manageable if my patients were all close in proximity but they are spread out all over. Instead now I am working 8-9 hour days and essentially making $17/hr. I made $27/hr in the hospital. I am very much so regretting my decision to leave the hospital but at the same time feel guilty for not sticking it out here in home care. I enjoy my patients and the management that I work for are incredibly sweet and helpful if I have questions. I just don't think financially I can swing this position much longer. The pay is just too unstable with cancelled services, cancelled visits, and patients who won't answer their phones to even allow us to schedule. Just this week alone I have lost 4 visits which may not sound like much but it is close to $200 that I am losing out on. The only way I could see my income increasing would be to take weekend call but gosh I don't want to work 7 days a week. Yuck! I've applied to several different positions and at this point I am ready to jump on the first one that gives me an offer. Home Health is just not for me!