Emm_RN

"No thanks, I've had enough coffee for the day."

Thank you all SO much for your replies! I'm definitely a team player so I'm sure I won't have any trouble jumping in once I'm feeling comfortable. I just got Sheehy's and will be cramming just like I did for the NCLEX. Memories!

Hi all, thank you in advance for any advice/tips. I worked med surg for one year then ICU for 2. I have been in home health and hospice for the last 4 years and am now transitioning back to the hospital setting, but this time in the ER. I am VERY excited, because this is always something I wanted to do, but never had the courage to try. Now that I am 7 years into my nursing career, I finally feel confident enough to dive in and learn anything I possibly can. Has anyone transitioned from hospice to ER? Or any general tips for someone going back into the hospital setting in the ER? Any advice is appreciated. I am nervous but very much looking forward to this adventure! I love a good adrenaline rush and I get bored easily, so I'm hoping ER will be the right fit for me. I already have a few books on emergency care and tips for new ER nurses. Thank you!

Thank you both for your input, it is very helpful in making this decision! I can definitely see the benefits of hourly pay. Right now I do so much work that I’m not seeing compensation for. On call is 2-3 times per month at $20 during the week and $50 for weekends. My home-base office is on the same road I live on, and they have company cars. I am just nervous to leave a company I have been with for years, though I’ve heard so much good about the company I applied for versus my current company from previous employees.

Hi all, I recently interviewed for a rapidly-growing home health agency within my immediate area. I currently do work for a home health agency and I am paid salary. I am interested in the HHA I interviewed for, as they need a hospice nurse for my area and I have been itching to get working with another company for a change of pace (getting burnt out for multiple reasons which I won't go in to). My question is this, which pay is better in home health nursing? Hourly or salary? This job would be hourly around the same "hourly rate" I'm getting at my current job, and I do not want to be short on money. It is not pay per visit, which is good, but I'm not sure I completely understand how hourly pay works in home health. Does that account for charting, driving, etc..? I am shadowing this weekend so I will ask all of these questions then as well, just anxious/excited and looking for some answers. Thank you in advance!

Hemoglobin of 3.6 when I worked in the ICU. Could not understand how this kid was just slightly pale with no other symptoms. Cannot even tell you how many times we rechecked because everyone was baffled. Still to this day I wonder if we were in the twilight zone that shift.

Very informative article! I recently had a patient in homecare who had her knee replaced after YEARS of practically begging for it. It took them several years to even X-ray it. She said she always felt ignored. Meanwhile, a male patient I know who is obese is basically being handed a knee replacement and has not been asked to lose weight first.

Unisolve adhesive remover pads, and on a more strange note.. I LOVE the smell of a clean assisted living facility. Like you know what goes down there but the way they cover it up gives me such nostalgia about my CNA days! Relaxes me!

Thank you! I want to do the best job possible if I am given the opportunity.

I should have added that I have stepped in as interim manager a handful of times in the exact position that I applied for and the interviewing managers have been impressed and asked me to apply. I recognize the lack of experience however most of our issues arise with home health specific problems and I have often precepted in our agency so they are happy with my knowledge base. I’m aware I do not have a ton of nursing experience but I am always taking any opportunity I can to strengthen my knowledge. Thank you for the helpful input, it has certainly given me a lot to think about!

Thank you all for your input. I certainly would be willing to do anything to help the staff out, as those are always the managers that stick out most in my mind. I have been told that no other internal employees have applied so I don’t think that it will necessarily be an issue with seniority or anything like that. I had a stint in the office while I was on light duty and I got a lot of positive feedback from the staff I was managing. It’s looking like I’ll get it because they all but said the interview was a formality since they already know and trust me!

Hi fellow nurses, Just looking for some tips. I am working in home health and have just interviewed for a Clinical Coordinator position overseeing a team of nurses in a few different zip codes. I am going to be starting my MSN in Leadership in January. I have never been in a supervisor position before, and while I have no trouble with communication, I am concerned that because of my age, I may have to fight for respect. I have been a nurse for four years and I will be 25 next month. I'm perfectly qualified for the position, but I'm just not sure how some of the nurses will take it if they have someone so young overseeing them. Does anyone have any tips on how to be a good supervisor and gain respect from nurses who have double the experience and age advantage? Thanks!

I’ll start by saying I hate social media for these exact reasons.. also, it hurts my heart and terrifies me that nurses put so much time and effort into things that are not work related at work! My parents always raised me with the principle that while you are at work, you work your little butt off no matter what! I would never DREAM of pulling my phone out unless I’m on break and out of view of patients. I’m in my early 20’s and I can’t stand most of my generation. I can’t even think of a time when my phone or anything else was a priority at work. I feel terrible for the patients now and patients of the future.

I would probably recert this patient and put in a spaced out visit pattern, perhaps 2week1, 1week3 and encourage her to get a cuff to check on non-visit days and to call into the agency/doctor with abnormal readings. Once she is comfortable with that, BP is stable, and she is taking appropriate actions to maintain BP, discharge would be appropriate.

Thank you both for your input! I can actually completely picture the pantyhose trick and it makes perfect sense so I’ll give it a try! Thank you!