NRSNFL

Ha ha, I'm originally from there, which is why I want to return. I just wasn't a nurse when growing up there. But you are right, we can be a tough crowd. lol

I'd love to hear about any mass locations since I'm travelling up there (or intend to) this summer (with the hopes of staying forever).

So as of June/July I will be travelling to MA. Can you all share some insight as to what type of stipend for housing I can expect if I pass on the company provided housing? Appreciate your input.

I'm a manager now, so I feel relatively secure however I will say this....I've heard of 3 companies this year in our local area that are going under. So it aint good for the home health world with the medicare cuts.

Kate, I don't believe so.......

Many even unseasoned nurses also have hard work and determination but in different catagories. I'm happy for you that you found something and it sounds like trauma is where it's at.

Thanks Nursel...I sure will, I waited 7 years to have that big boy and can't wait to see what he becomes.....

You can check the Baycare websites for PCT/CNR status (clincial nurse resident). Good luck, I feel for ya!

I hope you take this the right way, but your confidence is wonderful but don't cut your nose off despite your face. These residency programs are the organizations way of preparing all general graduates for the floor experience and might I add even at All childrens they give OR and PICU/NICU residencies....specialties others may take forever to get into. I'm fairly certain in saying, this isn't St. Louis and this is pretty much the only way to get into the hospitals here...and have a good start to a nursing career I might add. Be open, that's all.

I think there are plenty of hospital jobs, just not so many NEW GRAD JOBS. I'm not sure if the OP was specific enough for me to understand what her intent was on that. I have done both and for me, back to the hospital I go, but I do agree with the other posts about having good independent skills. It's a must have...but every so often there is that special new grad that has all of that already. No one nurse is the same.

Cali...I didn't have much of an opportunity and honestly if it wasn't the same floor I started out on, I don't think I would have found a job back there because of the "perception" that home health nurses don't have acute situations and care. But we sure do these days! I miss my kid, so back to 12's at night so I can actually see my infant grow up instead of being a weekend mom. He's my last child and don't want to miss it, even if I'm exhausted, lol.

I would be hesitant to work for a home health company that doesn't require a year of acute care experience. Honestly that is where you hone in your skills and when you are in home health...you don't have a supervisor right there to call if you need another set of eyes, and venipunctures you do out the gate and well as alot more acute care than you'd think these days. I wish you luck and urge you to get into a setting that develops your newly found skills before you venture out on your own.

In homecare, you have to be prepared for taking work home with you. I've worked for 4 separate organizations and inevitably, I'm calling my patients at night until 7pm to plan my next day, completing paperwork at home and unfortunately so you provide good customer service you have to pray to god you don't do anything that potentially offends a patient because frankly competition out there is tough amongst companies and leadership does NOT want to hear that you upset a patient even if you are teaching them something they don't want to know about. I'm going back to the hospital because I am left bringing home work so often......I am also over the 5 day work week and want my 3 shifts back.

So I started my career on a med-surg floor and was quick to think I could change the world and opted to leave. Now, 4 years later...I'm returning. I'm leaving home health because I've found home health to be mostly full of douchebags. I'm really good at what I do (and I'm a good supervisor now-my team runs like a machine with minimal redirection). Those are the only people I feel bad to tell I'm going back to the hospital. As far as my management team, patients in home care seem to be more like dollar signs and "how much profitability" is lost on certain cases (specifically the ones that need us the most) and paperwork. Too many marketers involved in clinical decisions and seems like reject nurses galore. (No offense to anyone that doesn't work for organizations such as this, I mean that truly). So I'll probably stay on prn in the field but other than that I will be going back to the place where I really learned teamwork, and got through each day with leadership that was willing-it's worth the paycut.

So I'm a home health nurse....well, I'm a manager in home health. And I'm going back to the floor. Now I know I'm capable of doing a good job and being an excellent nurse, but I have some trepidation being that I've been out of the acute setting for a while. But then I consider how sick some of my patients are an I think, I've not lost that many skills. But home health has had cuts all over the place and I just feel more secure going back to the hospital. Better benefits for my patient, better situation for my kids.....I just hope I'm right.