Erclifton85

Hello, I have recently accepted a part-time position completing face to face encounters for a small Hospice; mostly rural visits. It isn't too many visits each month just a nice supplement to my income here and there- also I have worked for them as an RN and enjoy the patient population. They have asked me if I can use the software that RN and LPNs use for them, it is called Barnstorm. I initially agreed as I am familiar with the software and can bang out a note pretty quickly, but am now having second thoughts. I thought it would be a good idea using the same software as it would be more connected to the rest of the employees and they could access my notes- but the software is not made for a provider. Though I could theoretically free hand most things which I was doing as an RN anyway, the software is set up by organ system and focuses on physical examination with some ROS aspects incorporated, I like more of a SOAP format. My other option would be to just write a long-hand note on paper or in word. What are others with a similar position doing? Thanks!

Thanks for all of the responses. I appreciate the input. Now, to just finish school... Haha

I am currently in school working on my MSN and FNP, I have a pretty decent 3 month beard right now; planning to make it a 6 month beard soon. I am wondering if anyone else has a good beard and if it has presented any professional problems? So far as an RN the only negative comments I have gotten are from coworkers, patients all interact great with me. Anyway, it is shaped and clean. I just wanted some opinions and wanted to break the monotony with an off the wall question. Thanks!

I know this is kind of a strange one to recommend, but plumer's intravenous infusion therapy book is awesome, especially if you are administering through PICCs and such. I would also recommend it if you are ever interested in inserting PICC lines, it's a great starting point. Otherwise I find it helpful to always brush up on pathophysiology. In home health you are independent so it is great to be able to identify and treat what is going on with the patient quickly.

I started my nursing career in home health and home hospice over 2 years ago. I was hired as a new grad (I guess I interview well) and then ended up getting employee of the year my first year of work. I was involved primarily with seeing hospice patients in facilities but also got my share of home health patients. It was a great experience as a new grad, although the autonomy at times can have you second guessing decisions. After a year and a half on the job I decided to take a position on a med-surg floor to fluff my resume with that whole 1 year thing... I know it's helpful but is it necessary? I knew that I wouldn't love med-surg, but I saw it as a necessary thing that had to be done. I am planning on starting a family nurse practitioner program within the year and thought the experience would be helpful for that. Now fast forward 9 months. The home health agency I used to work at has given me a job offer I can't refuse and I am going back there full time and staying on at the hospital PRN (my hospital hours were only part time and bills need to get caught up). I guess in all of that I just want to say, it's great to be back on the road. In a way I feel completely underworked in home health compared to the politics I had to deal with on the floor every night. In home health I'm not getting the dreaded staff meetings telling us how much more work we need to do for the same pay, I'm not reporting off to ****** morning nurses, I can spend as much time with my patients as I need to in order to get them situated... I feel like I am compensated fairly for what I actually do. That's something a hospital nurse can rarely if ever say. Plus as a hillbilly male nurse, I like to think of my job as being a trucker, out on the road, who gets to stop at grandma's house a few times a day...

Interesting! Thank you for that response, sounds like a busy week for sure.

I use medscape frequently and it has been a blessing.

I see. As long as the CXR is negative the TB will be considered latent... my patient got a mantoux that was positive, Dx with latent TB, 6 mos Rifampin, and now given the OK to start Imbrel. (I work home health, I don't have any experience with the blood test). I see what you're saying, it could be that INH wasn't effective or non-compliance. Let me know whats up, I'm interested.

I don't know the answer, but it sounds like things are going great for you. Congrats!

I work Monday through Friday 8:00AM-4:00PM doing home health and hospice. I am on call 3 week nights a month and one 24 hour weekend day. Overtime is starting to be frowned upon so if I do have any they try to give me time off to compensate.

What an idiot. haha

It depends on the person how long it takes to be comfortable, some say 6 mos, some say a year...

I would tell them exactly what you told us above, inadequate training and no evaluation other than "you're fired" sounds pretty unfair and drastic.

Ohio is dead right now. You can probably get a home health position.

Why not? Why wouldn't hospitals care?