ontnursec

I think your original post was questioning if you have a potential privacy violation. You have gotten our opinion that no, there isn't really a violation if you take the messages in a secure location (I.e in your car with the windows up- which I personally do every day at work). It sounds like you've got other issues with your employer's policies and aren't feeling very supported by your supervisor with these challenges. Which may require a different sort of conversation. But again to go back to the original issue at hsnd- receiving messages at your job through a cell phone is not in and of itself a privacy issue if done correctly. You just don't seem to be given the opportunity to do it correctly.

We exclusively use cell phones in my work as a visiting nurse. It is not a privacy violation to use a secure messaging service, even if you access it with a cell phone. You do have to ensure you do not take calls/voicemails where others can over hear you to protect privacy.

If the email server is secured/encrypted it's not a violation. If the texts are coming over a locked company device it also shouldn't be a violation... but that could be different for you as I am in Canada

I mainly see them in palliative care at end of life when oral access is lost. Mainly for Subcut hydromorphone, dexamethasone, and haldol.

Subcutaneous butterflys are commonly used in community where I work. We do not flush them. The subcut tissue cannot accommodate that much fluid. The line is primed with the medication not saline. Heparin before and after is very strange. Bribg it up to your manager, as you may have misunderstood what the nurse was doing. He may have given a heparin injection and given subcut med through the butterfly separately

Im a visiting nurse and I'm really good at getting pts who are distrustful of nursing providers, or just neglecting themselves period, to let me visit them and provide care. Even when they refused/canceled multiple other nurses trying to get in to see them, I can (usually, not always) get them to agree for me to visit over the phone.

1. As an home health RN/LVN how much orientation did you receive when you first started? One month. 2. Did you feel competent with that much orientation? If not how long would you have wanted your orientation to be? As a new grad, it was scary only having one month, but my organization is very supportive and I've done well. 2. As an RN how many patients would/do you see a day? Were they only start of care/discharges/readmit patients? Or would you also do routine visits? I'm an RN in Canada so things are slightly different. In a day with only routine visits, I see from 9-12 patients a day. If I have start of care/readmit pts I might see 7-8 in a day (with admissions and routine visits together). I'm paid hourly and if a pts visit take me longer, I can give back other pts which will be seen by another nurse, and be paid for the time it took me to see the pt accordingly.

Saw this after I replied. I think you made the right decision. Good luck in your job search, I hope you find something quickly!

I started as a new grad in home health, in Canada as well. I'm 9 months in now. I love it. I had a full month orientation, with in class plus 14 shifts of precepting and then I had reduced hours as well to ease into a full case load. I've been successful as of now and I really like it. But you need more time. I would definitely ask the agency for more time precepting, and if they don't agree, I would move on. I also don't think I would have lasted this long without all the nurses on my team who I can call for advice and help whenever I need too. I'm with a very supportive agency.

I was put in this situation as a health care assistant while in school. Both patients got out of bed at the same time. It was stressful. Neither fell luckily but it was not a situation I'd want to repeat. No advice but good luck sorting this out with the agency

I started in home health as a new grad. I'm 8 months in now and I love it. I did have a placement in home health so I knew a bit about what to expect. My orientation was a month long. The specific issues you'll face may depend on the agency. I'd suggest finding the names and numbers of a few colleagues who are supportive, and calling them when you have questions. My team has been instrumental to my success as they are highly supportive.

You never know which nurses have tats hiding under their scrubs. We are not required to cover ours. Mine are on my legs so they aren't visible but I've got no issues with tattoos so long as they're not offensive. They don't define your intelligence or skill.

I'm a new grad (8 months into my firsr job) in Ontario and you are lucky just to have a job. Monday to Friday day jobs are pretty much impossible for a new grad and still not easy to find with tons of experience. I work in home care and do work days but we still have to work an evening rotation, and weekends. Good luck, but you may need to rethink your career goals for now

1. I work in home health. I'd say I experience stress daily but it's manageable and I am equipped to solve the issues I come across or ask for help 2. I would say my work and family are balanced. I work 5 days a week 8-4pm. I have time with my kids. 3. I return home usually anxious to eat :) not in a bad mood usually 4. I definitely have time to go out. Whether it be after work or on my days off

If you like the company you work for, could you bring your concerns to them? Is working 13 hours a day something you are taking on yourself because you feel a duty to, or is the company pressuring you to do it? I ask this because you clearly recognize it's too much, but it doesn't seem like you're looking for ways to do some self care and set limits so you don't burn out. If the agency has been great with you as a new grad, I'm sure they will be receptive to your concerns regarding long hours and too much driving. They have invested time and I'm sure they want you to thrive. That said, home care isn't for everyone and you need to decide whether you want to stay.

Awe you school nurses always pull me in with your posts, so cute! I am a visiting nurse. Still get to work with school kids but I only go in and out of the school haha, then back on to my wound care/palliative/IVs!

VON is unionized in many Ontario communities. OPSEU and ONA are the unions in a few communities.

It took about 15 calendar days from when I mailed the application till I got the email with confirmation that I was registered.

I planned mine, and it is still a huge, huge learning curve. In school, I intentionally got placements in home health nursing and urgent care to gain experience for home health. I also read all of the standards/guidelines for home health in my area, did a bunch of research on what makes a successful new grad in home health, how funding works here, etc. What my manager said to me when I was hired really struck a cord. It doesn't really matter whether you're in med/surg or home health, there is still a learning curve. You'll have that anywhere. So long as you have the right attitude, willingness to stick it out and learn, supportive team, and excellent critical thinking skills, you have the potential to be successful.

Me me! I use my franklin covey for work too :)

I'd really be calling/emailing a few different programs admissions offices to see where you stand. The GPA stands out, many programs are competitive. The best advice you'll get is from admissions advisors.

Oh this gave me a chuckle

I've just started a home health job as a new grad. I love home health and it's where I wanted to be, and that's a plus since many of my graduating class still have not gotten a job, and we graduated 6 months ago. The job market is sporifice in my area. So far, my agency seems very supportive and understanding of me being a new grad. I would definitely ask about the orientation program, and process for ensuring you are competent in skills you haven't been exposed to, before accepting a job in home health.

The first night is always the worst. I always tried to stay up as late as possible the night before and sleep as long as possible the day of the first night. Lots of people try to nap during the day too, but I'm no good with naps, I can never fall asleep. Of course, you're still going to be tired but once you get through the first night, if you have others after, they are easier. Good luck and congrats on starting your new job!

I'm just starting my new job and was lucky enough to be scheduled off for both christmas and new years this year, but I know it is a rotating each year schedule where you work either christmas or new years and then the next year it switches. My kids are excited because a few weeks ago I dropped the bomb that I may have to work christmas and now I have it off!