Mari96RN

Thanks for the reply. I'm only seeing 4 to 5 pts per day and almost always have a soc. I always have lots of questions since its so new. I do ask though. I know I can't be expected to do everything on the first visit but just what is expected. Just admitting them takes me at least 2 hrs. And yes, I do have anxiety about findng the home and what I will find once I get there, esp with soc. I don't case manage. We are salary no per visits. I do some charting in the home but mostly write notes and chart at home b/c its more comfortable and I spend too much time in the home as it is. I'm resenting it though so I'm going to try harder to chart in the home. We do our own care plans drop off to the labs. Jnette, I'd love to work where you work. I no longer have a preceptor, never really had one. Wish I had one person I could go to with all my questions. I ask whoever is available. How long before you felt comfortable with all of this? What is the priority with soc as far as care plan orders social work etc? thanks again.

I'm new to home health and could use some advice. Started the job 3 months ago. I never complete my work during the day and at times have spent up to 6 hrs at home charting, partly because I'm getting used to Oasis and just trying to figure it all out. I'm told I have lots of support but don't always find this to be true. I have found planning ahead rarely works I don't like this part of the job. When you do go into the home for SOC or revisit you never know what you will find... not crazy about all the surprises. This job involves lots of social work. I'm not comfortable out in the field all alone... no colleague close by or even by phone for advice. Bottom line I'm not into a good rhythm. On days I work, I work from morning to bedtime which leaves little time for family. Don't know that I will stay in this field but in the meantime could use any advice anyone could offer. Generally, how much time do you spend in the home for revisits. I'm told I need to make it brief. How do you get your charting done in between patients. Should I just focus on one area of the care plan? Maybe I'm addressing too much at each visit. I will say that I have learned a lot and do enjoy the one on one teaching but don't care for the rest of the package. I have found that the work NEVER ends and I'm resenting working from home especially if I'm not getting paid for it. thanks in advance

I followed the HH nurse for part of today. She was on call for that evening. She received a call from the office with 2 new visits for the evening that were being added since she was on call - one was a new admission. This was in addition to her regular scheduled visits. Is this right? One of her scheduled visits for the day was a pt she case managed. She saw him for first time today - to discharge him. The nurse said it's just the way it was scheduled. does that sound right? I want to do home health nursing so think I'm going to take the plunge. Want to do real nursing and get to know the pt. Any input on the on call situation and scheduling of pts would be appreciated. thanks

thanks for the reply. Truly want to do more pt care, one pt at a time. Spoke with the recruiter one week ago, had some questions about benefits and weekend pay. She mentioned a shadow day. let her know I would love to shadow and that I was still interested in the position. Also let her know wanted to be sure b/c this would be a cut in pay for me. She said the manager would be getting back with me. Am still waiting to hear back from them. Left a msg a couple of days ago, still no reply. What happened??? Losing hope.

I have considered home health nursing for a while. Was offered a position with VNA and am excited about it. Orientation will be at least 6 wks, longer if needed. They said four 10 hr work days is not a problem. I currently work in ambulatory care, mostly office work. I'm looking forward to direct pt care, teaching, independence and especially flexiblitiy in work schedule. I currently work M-F so four days/wk would be great. Concerns: Talked with a coworker who hated HH b/c of the condition of pt's homes. I shadowed a HH nurse in nursing school and don't remember such horror. Of course I'd expect to have some uncomfortable homes but are most homes all that bad?? Also the charting, have read horror stories here. How many hrs a day do you work? Does an 8 hr day turn into 9, 10 hrs?? Is your mind off work once you've completed charting or do you start thinking about tomorrow's schedule. I currently work long hrs at my job and a big reason for moving on is to have more time for myself and with family. Oh, and the major concern... it's a huge cut in pay. But I figured I'll be working less (only 4 days) so less pay. Doesn't really add up but really need a change. Any input would be appreciated.

I think you should go for it... Good luck to you and please keep us posted. I've been reading the HH posts b/c I too am seriously considering HH. I too have a question regarding experience. I have a little over 10 yrs nursing experience but have worked away from bedside nursing or the last 4 1/2 yrs. I work in family practice, triage calls, do referrals, med refills and a variety of other issues. Is it best to brush up on my skills and do another yr at the bedside?? I really do not want to go back to the hospital, plus I have a bad back. I would love to try HH health but do you think they would consider hiring me since I'm a bit rusty with skills?? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I am so burned out at my current job!!!!

I currently work as an RN in ambulatory care. I have had a desk job for past 4 yrs. Mostly admin stuff, but in the medical field. It's time to move on. I am enrolled in a RN Refresher course b/c I feel I need this to get back into floor nursing. I feel a med-surg position is what I need to get me going. Question: would a hiring manager see this as negative? Why would an active RN need to take a refresher course? Anything wrong with formal class to update skill and knowledge? (Have been an RN for 10 yrs). Plus will get all the CEUs needed to renew my RN. My current employer does not assist with this and no inservices in my current position. thanks

Hello, I visit this set often and this is my first posting. I need career advice. I am an RN with 10 yrs nursing experience. I am currently a primary care nurse working at a desk job for the past 4 yrs. I deal with incoming calls and most of my day spent dealing with a variety of issues. Some nursing triage. I work M-F, no weekends/holidays. There is more work than can be done in an 8 hr day. Very common in any nursing postion. Problem is I am very bored with the position. Not learning much. No option to move to any other position. Work not very challenging other than try like hell to get as much done as possible in an 8 hr day. I have used my stethescope a handful of times in the 4 yrs in this position. I am an older nurse. Got my BSN at age 40. I also have experience in med/tele, peds rehab, med/surg, community health. I am tired of the M-F, want flex schedule. I find M-F so confining. The biggest change I am looking for right now is a flexible schedule, want my life back. I would love to try home care nursing. I don't feel I have the nursing skills to do so right now. I do not care for bedside nursing but feel I need to do that for 1-2 yrs to regain nursing skill. I feel so out of touch with nursing skill and knowledge that I have enrolled in an online RN Refresher course. I will earn CEUs so not so bad. If online agrees with me will consider masters courses. Big question: Will I be as marketable if I contine in Primary Care with an advanced degree or is going back to bedside nursing a better avenue. I'm not looking forward to bedside nursing as I remember what it was like. Don't think I'd get a job in home care without the experience though. I'd love to get my advanced degree to work more one-on-one patient education. Home care is a great way to do this. Any advice from more experienced nurses in the field would be greatly appreciated. Please consider my age as well. I'm in excellent health. Thank you in advance.