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KateRN1

KateRN1

COS-C, Risk Management
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KateRN1 has 20 years experience and specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

KateRN1's Latest Activity

  1. KateRN1
    Hint: When you stop thinking of nursing in terms of tasks performed, you will have a much better understanding of the differences in scope of practice.
  2. KateRN1
    Check with your state's home care association as each state has different rules.
  3. KateRN1

    Assaulted while working

    KateRN1 replied to lovelucklaughter76's topic in Home Health

    1. Do NOT talk to your supervisor first. 2. Contact the Employee Assistance Program and request an immediate evaluation by a psychiatrist. 3. File a work comp claim if you haven't done so already, contact HR or your employee handbook for where to go. 4. Then talk to your supervisor. I cannot give our specific legal or medical advice per the TOS of this forum, but in most cases, this is a work-related injury and should be treated as such, just as any other physical injury would be treated. Depending on your state laws, you are likely entitled to treatment and time off through your work comp policy. If you have your own malpractice insurance, you may also need to let them know and may be able to obtain representation through that policy. If you don't have your own, please research available policies and make that investment. 5. If nothing comes through for you via the above, you are still entitled to FMLA leave, although it is not paid. PM me directly if you need to talk. I haven't been through it myself, thank heaven, but have helped others in similar situations.
  4. KateRN1

    Using HH computer software

    KateRN1 replied to agardner2020's topic in Home Health

    That's like asking "how long is a piece of string." Not all software programs are created equally and what one does well, another may not. Sorry, I just can't answer your poll question the way it is written.
  5. KateRN1

    What type of volunteering do you do?

    KateRN1 replied to arvolina's topic in Job Assistance

    I volunteer at a free clinic at the mosque that serves indigent and uninsured people. I adore it and really feel like I've made a difference. I don't think it's helped me find a job, but it has helped me to keep my skills up and network while unemployed, plus helped keep my self-esteem up and keep me out of full-on depression. I've always wanted to give back to my community. I wish I could do more but finances are not such that I can donate anything other than my time and talents.
  6. KateRN1

    Thermometers and stethoscopes--any opinions?

    KateRN1 replied to Scooter321's topic in Home Health

    I use disposable thermometers and a Littman stethoscope. I see no need for an electronic steth unless you have some serious hearing problems. I've had every manner of thermometers known to man and I like the disposables. No germ transfer, no batteries to replace, no probe covers to run out of, and they work.
  7. KateRN1

    How Hard is Home Health Nursing on the Body?

    KateRN1 replied to westieluv's topic in Home Health

    Definitely much easier on the body. I don't want to get into my physical issues on a public forum, but that's one of the reasons that I stick with home health--that and I love it!
  8. KateRN1
    Wow, there are so many reasons that a clinical background is helpful for a marketer. First, just understanding how nursing works is a big step. Being able to talk to the nurses at any facility or doctor's office in their own language and be able to understand and be understood is a huge help. In most states, an LPN can take telephone orders, which cuts down on the number of phone calls that need to be made to facilitate the referral and to coordinate care with other agencies, such as pharmacies for IV cases. You wouldn't have to take a clinical person with you for presentations to answer clinical questions because you'd have the knowledge. In every home care agency I've worked at, the marketers with a clinical background understood the business and generated more and better referrals than those without a clinical education. I think it would do your agency a world of good to have a marketer who is also a nurse. You could even do visits for extra money and/or to follow up on patients for your referral sources. I would love to see it a requirement that marketers have a clinical background, it definitely makes a huge difference in my opinion.
  9. KateRN1

    Drug Book for Kindle?

    KateRN1 posted a topic in Home Health

    I was thinking that it might be worthwhile to load a drug book onto my Kindle Fire and not have to carry around an actual book, but reading the reviews on Amazon, they don't seem to be user-friendly. Does anyone actually use a drug book on their e-reader and if so, what do you think of it?
  10. KateRN1

    Coag Machines

    KateRN1 replied to annabhcs's topic in Home Health

    Agree with above. In terms of user friendliness, I prefer Coagucheck, but I don't have any idea what the cost of the strips would be.
  11. KateRN1

    First day on my own and feel like a failure!

    KateRN1 replied to txgal34's topic in Home Health

    And Kinnser is absolutely tedious in terms of documentation, which does not help with your time management. Part of being new to home health is learning to be independent with what you're doing. Coming from a facility, you're used to having someone immediately accessible for questions, concerns, or to confirm your assessment. As a home health nurse, you will need to learn to function without that immediate gratification, unless it's really important to the immediate care of your patient. You will need to learn when and why to call your supervisor, the physician, the patient's family, etc. It takes time and experience. Keep asking for feedback and try not to get upset when people tell you that you need to be more independent. You'll get there.
  12. KateRN1

    Patients that made you go "How are you even alive?!"

    KateRN1 replied to Cuddleswithpuddles's topic in Nursing

    The guy who drove himself to the ER in VT because he didn't think his wife was a good driver. I was there when the VT was replicated in the EP lab. As my jaw is dropping to the floor, the guy is awake and talking to me, saying, "Yeah, I'm starting to feel a little funny. This is how I felt when I drove to the hospital." Totally denied chest pain, dizziness, and never lost consciousness. Got an AICD/pacer anyway. It's been about 15 years and I still think about that guy.
  13. KateRN1
    First, what kind of agency is this? If this is a Medicare agency and you are doing Medicare visits, then the pay is way too low, no matter where you are. Plus, you should be doing more than blood draws as phlebotomy is not a covered skill for Medicare visits. If these are insurance visits that only require a quick assessment and a lab draw, then $20 is probably all you're going to find anywhere. You do not have to accept visits that are outside of the distance you're willing to drive. And you can claim mileage on your taxes, be sure to keep a log. I'm not trying to be mean, but the idea that you didn't know to check the expiration date on the blood tube is a good indication that you are not ready to be a home health nurse due to lack of experience. (And they need to have a better handle on their supplies. Whoever does their stock should be removing expired tubes before the nurses can get them.) Please keep looking for a job that will provide you with a good foundation for future practice, you deserve it.
  14. KateRN1

    Weekend work

    KateRN1 replied to xoNurseRNxo's topic in Home Health

    Yup, most SOCs happen Fri, Sat, and Sun. Medicare gives the agency 48 hours from the time of the referral to do the SOC, so if it comes in on Friday, SOC is happening by Sunday unless you get a physician-ordered SOC date.
  15. KateRN1

    What degree do agencies prefer?

    KateRN1 replied to peachshan's topic in Home Health

    Asalaam aleikum, UmmNasim. I agree with above, but just wanted to say hello. Ramadan Kareem and Eid mubarek, a little early. :-)
  16. KateRN1
    Be aware that Gentiva is a national company which is under investigation for Medicare fraud. They have already paid a large amount in fines.