NurseB2014

The home health agency I work for has several branches in different locations. Our office does not have an admission RN. We also do not employ LPNs. Our PT's do not do their own OASIS admissions either, RN's do those as well. Some of the other branches do have admission nurses. They are paid the same as the other case managers and take call rotation also. We even have some dedicated "open for PT" nurses in other branches. Unsure how many admissions they do in a day.

Took the job! Start end of July. Any references y'all recommend I can bone up on?

Got a job offer from HH. Waiting to hear back on some questions I had, then I have to make a decision. Yikes. Did the math and pay would be almost exactly the same (not counting the mileage) so they werent kidding when they said "lateral move".

I havent been back on this forum in a while (Since I had first started my first year really). Now I'm coming up on the end of my first year in July!!! I cant believe I stuck it out a year. So Im sure other people have said the same, but a year ago, I was in the exact same boat. But it has gotten a little better! I still dread going to work most days (Which is why now Im looking for something else, to try to find my niche) but I don't cry anymore. I dont feel like Im going to throw up, I just have a huge sense of dread. Once I get there and start working, I feel a little better. Then, at some point in the shift, I start watching the clock to go back home LOL. So I feel like what Im doing now isnt for me, but I do feel like there is something is nursing that is, I just have to find it. Im scared Ill pick something else and feel the same way, but I toughed this out a year and feel like I can do it again. So anyway, I just wanted to say that I felt hopeless at first. I felt like I had made a huge mistake going into nursing, and actually looked into going back to school for something entirely different but didnt feel like it would be fair to make my family suffer financially again the way they did when I was in nursing school. So I toughed it out, and used the money I made to have some fun when I could. We've booked our very FIRST family vacation for this summer. We took trips to amusement parks and shopping. Christmas for my kids was awesome. We are working on crawling out from under the debt we got in when I was in school. So while life still isnt perfect, and Im not deriving a lot of satisfaction from my job, Im trying to learn how to find satisfaction in other areas. Good luck! Hope it gets better for you too!

Nursing school was way LESS stressful to me! I didn't love clinical because I always felt a little "lost" LOL but I did love classes. Im a reader, so I read and did pretty well in school. There's no way to read to prepare for a shift LOL. I was shocked by how stressful actual nursing is. Now I have a license to worry about, Im responsible for patient's lives! And I don't have a brilliant instructor watching me like a hawk. I can't pass a test on Friday and not worry about class again until Monday, because Im ALWAYS thinking about work when I'm not there. I have moments where even after Ive been off of work several days, I'll think, Did I put that order in? Or what if I didnt unclamp the secondary tubing and just ran fluids and not the med?

I've looked through SEVERAL threads to try to find the answers to these questions without repeating then, but since I can't, here are a few questions for any that feel up to answering: How many units per week do you work? What's reasonable? What skills/services do you most commonly provide patients? What would you recommend I brush up on? What's your holiday schedule like? Is it "business as usual" at your agency? Are literally gone 8 hours on Christmas day if it falls during the week? (prospect of this makes me sad, I'd rather keep my night job and function like I did last year without sleep) I'm more interested in what salaried nurses experience here, since that is what I'd be. How often are you called when on call? What types of calls do you get? I'm in a very poor, rural, southern area with a lot of farming. In the ICU we see mostly out of control / noncompliant diabetes, respiratory issues like COPD (lots of smokers), heart issues (a fib and failure the most) and sepsis. Of course I've had lots of ventilator patients, some trachs, some quads, etc etc.

So I interviewed that. I think it went fairly well. I never have a clue after interviews lol. I know the manager pretty well, she was actually a childhood friend of my sister's. We chatted for quite a while after the interview (at her request) about how my sister is doing etc. I'm still so torn about what I'll even do if I get an offer. It seems like such a HUGE responsibility and it scares me, but I felt that way about ICU too and here I am, I've made it almost a year. I know I would still have a lot to learn skill-wise but I feel like I can handle that portion of it. I'm more afraid of the being on my own aspect and making the right decisions with little backup. I did get a little more info about the position. If hired, I would be the 6th nurse, so the "rotating weekly call" was explained that I would be on call for a week once every 6 weeks. It was also explained that the expected productivity is 55 units every 2 weeks. She sais a regular visit is 1 unit and a Medicare admission is 2.5. She didn't go into more detail than that. Of course they said they wouldn't expect that right away. They said it takes 4-6 weeks to complete all the training. Each nurse has a smart phone and a laptop for use in the field. She said holidays were "business as usual" unless you had requested them off. If I get an offer I'm going to have to get more info on that, because it's the same company as my hospital, and we aren't allowed to request off holidays so I'm not sure how that works. I know the position is salaried but I won't know about the pay unless I get an offer. The manager said it's usually a "lateral move" pay wise. The job listing says they have productivity bonuses. This is such a hard decision. I'm gonna be totally honest and say that I really don't like my job now so I don't want something that I like less. I want more time with my family in the evenings, on holidays, weekends, and not less. My schedule is opposite theirs now and it is not fun. I really think I would like the opportunity to build relationships with patients. I know (from my previous job) that I would like not being trapped in the same spot for 12 hours.

So I just woke up (I work tonight) and I have a voice mail to call back to set up an interview! I really don't know any of the HH nurses, only a couple of the hospice nurses (same company different office). I'm so afraid that I won't like it or that I'm not independent enough for HH. But at the same time, I want to find my "thing" in nursing and I know that ICU is not it.

Thanks for the input. I'm going to apply and see if an offer comes my way. It's a lot to think about.

Hi all! I'm fairly new here (have been more of a stalker than poster LOL). So here's a little background on me. I graduated from nursing school last spring. I've been full-time night shift in the ICU since last July. I have not really liked it since day one. I can't put my finger on one exact thing I don't like, it's more several things I don't like that combined have had me pretty much always looking or listening out for other opportunities. I'm married, have 2 kids (4 & 15). Hubby works long hours M-F so is very little help with ferrying around the kids, making it to school functions, etc etc. He is however home every weekend and most evenings by 7. Here are some of the things I've disliked about ICU: 1.) The acuity level (I know, I know, what did I expect?) but it's way more stress than I ever envisioned. I precepted in the ICU in nursing school, so when the job offer came along, I thought, hey, I know the staff, I know the unit, this should be a great way to start. And it was, in a way. I've learned LOADS, but still always feel a step behind where I should be. 2.) The unit always feels understaffed. When census is low, we are forced to send home nurses/aides, but when census is up and would allow for more staff, we rarely have anyone we can call in. I always feel like I'm running around "like a chicken with my head cut off" and I hate that feeling. 3.) I like being organized at work. The ICU is constantly changing so just about time I feel like I've got my flow going in a shift, we get a bunch of admits or transfers and throws a wrench in my precious "system" and it feels like Im always "recovering." 4.) I love my coworkers on nights (which is why I don't want to go to days in this unit, because day shift is catty with a capital C). But I really dont like night shift. I'm walking out the door either at the same time my hubby gets home or BEFORE he gets home - which means that some weeks, its not unusual for me to work and not lay eyes on him until my 3 shifts are over. Also, he goes to work, before daycares open so we don't have kid coverage from 5:30am until I get home around 8. My mother in law, bless her, is having to drive to my house and sit there until I get home. This cannot go on forever. I want to put my youngest child in preschool this fall, but the way it stands now there is no way to get her to and from school with my current schedule. Also, I really just want to be available to her in the mornings to take her there and spend that time with her before school and in the evenings after. I feel like my 15 year old can handle things a little better than the little one. But it would be better for both of them for me to have a more regular schedule. So, there is a position open with my hospital's home health agency. It says the hours are 8-5 M-F with "rotating weekly call". Can anyone tell me how it was for you switching from a unit to HH? Do you think I have enough experience (will be a year in ICU before switching)? Is the stress of HH worth the schedule? I'm not really expecting easier (although it would be nice if it was LOL) but is it more regimented? I like structure. I like having an idea what I'm going to get into each day, even if it doesnt follow my plan exactly, I'm more comfortable when I at least have some idea what I'll be doing. I'm not worried about the home visit and driving aspect - I worked onsite computer repair for 10 years before going into nursing, and that meant driving to and from individual homes and business offices all day to work on computers. Thanks for your input, sorry for the book.

I'm a new grad, and took a job in a hospital because I couldnt find anything else. In a similar boat as you, except not a single parent, but I do have a 4 year old. I want so badly to get into something with a better schedule, but just cannot find anything. I would LOVE the schedule of school nursing, and from what I know of it, possibly the work too. But, there has only been one opening in the last year and it was quickly filled and I didn't even get an interview. I did interview at a physician's office, but was passed over for someone with more experience. I work nightshift in ICU, I've been there 5 months. Hoping I can hold it together to get to the 1 year mark and will maybe have a better chance of finding something else. I hate the job stressful as all get out. Planning on enrolling in BSN school next year, since most of our school districts require that you finish your BSN within 3 years of being hired. I had considered a job with home care (that provides mostly inhome aid services that I would oversee) just afraid that I would hate it. The owner/manager doesnt have the best reputation as being great to work for, although the business does. They have several locations, and are the major home care agency in this area. I also dont want to make my resume look bad when maybe I could get something better in a few months. I want to be at home with my family in the evenings SOOOOO BAD! Hope you can find something that suits you better than I did!

Agree with above! This might have already been posted, but in my unit (ICU), we have plenty to do at night. I often feel bad for going in the room so much during the night, but what can you do? I live for those "slow" nights where I can actually feel like I've gotten all my charting done, and didn't leave anything "hanging" for day shift. Most of the day shift nurses seem to think that we have it easier on nights, so they will leave things like central line dressings for us to do. The only thing I hate about night shift is missing my evening time with my family. My husband works days, so that was our time to spend as a family and now we don't have as much of that. Also, don't love waking up doctors - some are nice about it, some not.

I'm in the process of checking into getting a teaching degree. But at this point it unfortunately doesn't look like I really do have other options. It's looking like going back to school is not possible right now financially. Teaching was my first choice, but I honestly thought I would like nursing too, and the program was within driving distance and affordable.

Ugh warning - whiny post. I'm almost to the end of my 3 month Nurse Residency program (off orientation in 2 weeks). I'm working ICU, and have been taking the standard patient load of 3 patients for the last 2 months. But I just don't feel like the job is "clicking" for me. My preceptor has been pretty good, but every shift there are so many things she has to tell me to do because I didn't even realize I needed to, etc. I hate calling doctors (I work night shift so they don't round during my shift). I'm always scared to death I'm going to miss something vital, or give a med that I should have held, etc. I hate hate hate getting new admissions - the whole process is overwhelming to me. I also have a new grad on my unit who is always asking me "why I'm having a hard time" or "what is so rough about the job to me" because she says she hasnt felt that way at all. I have a hard time with this because I've always taken pride in being smart - I was #1 in my class every semester of nursing school. Now I feel so dumb . This is a second career for me, I did computer repair and networking for 9+ years before going to nursing school. My mom is a nurse and I'm good with people and enjoy feeling like I'm "helping" them so I thought nursing would be a good fit for me. Plus there was really nowhere to grow with the computer job, because this is such a small town. I aced nursing school, but never really loved clinicals but thought that it was just because I was in nursing school and hadnt really experienced real nursing yet. Thought I would like the work better once I graduated. Now I'm wondering if I have put my family through the hell of nursing school for no reason because I really think I should try to find another job that does not involve nursing at all! I just hate it. I don't feel like I'm ever going to start loving it. I really dont like any of it - giving meds, wounds, tube feedings, ventilators, drips, etc etc etc - I cannot find ONE thing that I like. I feel so guilty because I feel like I shouldve realized this before going all the way through school so I'm blaming myself for being in this situation. I'm putting my husband and my kids through hell because Im so miserable all the time. I dread going to work so bad my stomach actually hurts before my shift and I cry the whole way to work. Sorry to whine I'm just not sure what to do. I know all new grads have a crappy first year this just feels like more than that. I wish I could find a job in a doctors office, and would even take the huge pay cut to get it but unfortunately the ones that hire nurses around here don't have openings. Most of the nurses that have those jobs keep them 30+ years. I'm sure you all think I should just suck it up - but I honestly feels like if I stick with this I'm going to lose it. Would love to try a different job, but I know if I do that I'll probably blacklist myself at the hospital because I didn't stay very long after they put me through the residency program. Why didn't I just keep my computer job?

Hi everyone! I'm new here, so I hope its not totally out of the norm to post on an old thread but it so perfectly fit my situation right now. I just graduated in May - Associate Degree. Passed RN boards May 28th. This weeks marks three weeks that I've been looking for a job. I have applied all over the place, but everyone wants experience. I'm at the point now where I just really need to work as soon as possible. So, that being said - I'm a new grad, with absolutely no experience beyond nursing school. I interviewed this week for a night shift position in LTC - similar to OP. 60 bed facility, census currently 42. This facility is a little unique, in that one wing is a hospital with a few swing beds, a few inpatient beds and ED with 2 trauma rooms. The hospital sees very few patients - maybe 3-4 per shift in the ED, mostly "clinic" type patients with the occasional trauma patient. The position that Im pretty sure I got, is in the LTC wing. Because of the hospital, there is a doctor, xray and lab tech there 24 hours a day. I'm just wondering if I'm setting myself up for failure being that I have no real LTC experience, not even as a CNA. I'm supposed to hear something on Thursday when my drug test comes back. BUT I'm also supposed to interview with our hospital's ICU on Thursday, but I think its a long-shot that I would get that, and even if, I'm really not sure if I'm ready for ICU. Basically I'm a scaredy-cat. So OP - if you still post here - how did it end up working out? To anyone else - thoughts?