RebeccaJeeper

You are very welcome! :) I do feel very fortunate that I got a position where they have a great orientation-it is 12 weeks long, and I don't even start building a case load until week 6. We each have a preceptor who helps us along and lots of meetings with all the other staff members to see what everyone does in the office and how they can help-today I spent the day with the WOCN nurse at the hospital to practice and learn some about wound care and ostomies, which was very helpful. I hear alot on hear about poor orientations (or even a lack of) which seems really crazy-I can't imagine trying to take my own caseload and doing OASIS by myself from the beginning! I guess where I am they didn't have this program a while back, but they were also losing a lot of new nurses and rethought the process! Good luck and I really hope things get better for you!

I, too, have been an RN for 2 years now and just recently enetered the field of home care. I graduated with my ADN and immediately started working on a stroke/tele floor and also went right into my BSN. I have 2 kids, also, so I know how hard it is! I also worked midnights for about 9 months (12 hour shifts) and just couldn't do it anymore-I was in a constant state of "brain fog" and felt terrible. Yes, it paid more and yes it was only 3 days a week, but it was making me sick. I always wanted to work in Public Health since I began nursing school, but in my area, those jobs are few and far between. When I saw the home health positions, I though it may be a step in the right direction as far as working out in the community. I have been there now for about 4 weeks, and I am finding it very overwhelming already, but also very rewarding. Luckily the organization I am with has a very long and thorough orientation process, so all the responsibility is being given in slow, small chunks. When I first made the decision, I had several people tell me I was making a huge mistake because of al the charting, all the hours, all the responsibility, etc., and I was very scared after hearing that, but I have tried to just remain positive and try it for myself. Some have told me I will be back at the hospital before long... So, with all this said, I have also been told by my preceptors and co-workers that it takes a year to feel comfortable in home care and really have a good, efficient system of getting the job done. They also said the feeling of being overwhelmed is perfectly normal and that with time it will become much more "doable"! I have been told that it is very important to keep yourself organized, don't fall behind on your charting, and always communicate with the clinical supervisors about any questions, concerns or if you feel like you are drowning. I hope you find what you enjoy and what works for you..so far, I love being outside of the hospital and going to different places, getting to actually spend time getting to know the patients, feeling like I am actually making a difference, and the flexibility-all things that never happened in my last position. If you really love home care and enjoy what you are doing, give yourself time to learn and grow accustomed to the position-it is VERY different from hospital nursing!

Hi there! I am new here to this board and also to home health in general, but this thread caught my attention. I applied to Brightstar early this year, and was hired by them on a PRN basis, as they stated their office was newly opened in my area and they were in the process of gaining patients and cases. They really didn't give me any type of orientation, and told me that they would likely utilize me to work in immunization/blood pressure/wellness clinics in the area. However, it has now been about 6 months and I have heard nothing from them? The office here is located in a very small house converted to office space, and was not very impressive, but I figured it was because they were new. The manager I spoke to initially was not very professional, either, and she actually made me very leary of moving forward, and then the second time I met with them, she was no longer working there and they had a different manager already? They told me that they were only serving patients who were private-pay, and did not accept any insurance at the time, but were in the process of being able to do so. So, it was pretty weird, to say the least-I know they are still open, as I drive by the office from time to time. I am not sure why I never heard back from them, but the whole situation seemed a bit strage to me, anyway. I now have a position with the local home care agency affiliated with the hospital I worked for, and am so far happy with this organization! Just my 2 cents regarding my experience...