IBNITENGALE

Funny, when you are talking to one of your co harts in crime, they are usually talking to Jack or Ronald, placing their order for something to eat/drink..I am from Texas, so the I always keep water in the car in a small igloo. (I am so tempted to use a foley during the day...lol) I have started adding fresh cherries, string cheese, canned almonds (just a few, not the whole can, really do stop the 'gotta have chocolate now' syndrome, deli meat wrapped in lettuce leaf, cheese chunks, crackers, etc.....its gotta be 'no dripping' and held in one hand, but do try to pull off the road, in safe place, park under a tree, take a 15 minute break, it will make your day go much better....

I have worked at both Clear Lake Hospital and at St. Johns but that was many years ago....both have their good points, both have their not so good....I am now in home health so I am seeing patients come out of both facilities..I would say the patients come home with the same praises and complaints from each facility.... A few years ago, Clear Lake was known for MRSA...and, yes, I have dealt with many many patients leaving CLRMC with MRSA and requiring home IV's. I needed surgery in 2005 and chose not to go to CLRMC for that very reason. I would check into both, CLRMC is for profit facility, St Johns is a not for profit facility and yes, it does make a difference....but then, I work for St. John's home health so I would tell you to check out St. Johns first, my husband is also a nurse and has worked at both hospitals. His choice is St. Johns.. Hope this helps:smilecoffeecup:

i have been in home health for about 10yrs,(nursing 30 yrs) last year attempted to return to the hospital setting (why, i dont know). i ran back to home health as soon as i could. the main reason, i didnt have the time in the hospital setting to truly care for my patient(s). its here, take this pill, hang iv's, hang blood, wound care if you are lucky, oops, patient needs to go to ct scan....besides flexiability for home health, you need to be organized/systematic or the paperwork will eat you up....i have worked for agencies that had laptops for their nurses and those that still use the stone/stick method.....you will either love home health or return to your former choice of nursing, there is no 'maybe' with home health...i have done home health in texas, washington and arizona...it is really an eye opener how each state is so different even though all have the same basics..i love rural home health (east texas) where your directions to the patients home includes turn at the road where the rusted tractor is in the ditch.....lol....many days i have wanted to pack it up and leave, then i meet that patient/family who really needs home care, and i know this is where i want to be...good luck to all those who want to do home health, contact me for any questions or concerns, i would love to talk to other home health nurses.