Elle33

Update: When I interviewed a month ago I was called back with, "Well, we like you and would like to have you but now corporate says we don't need a full time nurse". The manager who called said she disagreed with corporate and had some meetings to try to argue for the position. So I figured that was that. Then about 10 days ago she called and said she thought she had a job if I was still interested and I said I was. Then Thursday she called and said she was going to call my references and today I got the offer! I'll start November 1st. And I'll be here looking for help shortly after!

So I've decided IF I get offered the job I'll take it unless there is something awful about the company or the compensation that I find out. It's a pay per visit. I would bring home more money but work more hours and IF I manage to make it a 40 hour work week (instead of 50-60 battling charting) I'll make about $3 less/hour. I just want to to be on the same schedule as my husband and daughter! I'll check in next week and let you know if I get called--Thanks for the support!

I keep telling myself that I don't have a job offer yet so I should not worry about this too much until they call or don't call me back... I've been reading all I can find about home health nursing and I know a person who loves it, a person who hated it (but started over her head as a new grad) and a person that did it for 9 months and decided it was too much time away from her family. So thanks for input, Vainglorius, and thanks for letting me know my sinking stomach has happened to others, shefrn1. Anyone else love it? Hate it?

My Synopsis and My Question: I work on a busy unit and have for 6 years. I am tired and want a change. I realize HH is also busy, but at least it's a change! I don't have a job offer yet but think my chances are good after 2 interviews. But I am nervous even thinking about change!! I am tempted to just go for it. My big 'ol hospital isn't going anywhere and with 6 years of experience with them I think I'll be able to get back in somewhere if needed. My managers are awesome and fair and know I do a good job and would vouch for me. How many people here love their home health positions? It seems like I see a lot of negative posts about HH, but people who love their jobs rarely go on the boards like this and tell everyone about it. It's more a place to vent. I didn't want to hijack anyones thread! As you can see I'm pretty long winded. Here is the original super long post, I understand if you choose not to read it! I currently work on a busy unit in a big 'ol hospital and have worked there for 6 years (since I graduated with my BSN). I like the people I work with, I make enough money. But lately the acuity has just been crushing and they've taken away 1/2 the aides and most of the ones left are from the float pool and can't handle the pace. I'm getting tired of managing 4 sick/needy patients on telemetry and at least 1 discharge and admit per day, usually 2 of each. Yesterday I was dealing with a patient bleeding post procedure and my phone was ringing off the hook and I was getting paged overhead to take people to the restroom (aides were all MIA) and find the phone for the lady down the hall--her phone was right in front of her by they way, I never leave a room without the call light, phone, water, etc within reach of the patient. We all have "buddies" assigned in the morning but they are equally slammed. That is one thing about the team on my unit--no one is ever just sitting on their butt while you are drowning. We continue to have good patient satisfaction scores, so you know the powers that be will start looking for more places to cut. Anyway, I know a person who does HH and loves it. Her company is hiring and I got through the phone interview a week ago and a live interview with 2 managers today. Since my interview I've had a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. I think the interview went well and think I will be offered the job. I think it is a fine company. A social worker I trust says they are well respected (our hospital only sets up with them if the patient requests since the hospital has their own HH). The knot in my gut is, I think, FEAR of change. I am in the very fortunate situation of having a job that I like (even love at times) and I am not the only source of income for my family. I just feel like if I don't go soon I will work on this unit until I drop dead. I am tired of working every other weekend and tons of holidays. This job is one weekend every 4-5 weeks and 2 nights of call a month. It is open on holidays but you schedule yourself with your patients and they often decline care on holidays. I'd bring more money home but work more hours. Depending on my charting skills I realize that on the pay per visit plan they use I will probably/possibly end up making less per hour than my current $33/hr. And I've read horror stories of 80 hour weeks, mostly spend wrestling with paperwork, especially OASIS. Thanks, Elle