Kcattanp

I worked for 13 years in various hospital settings. Decided to try HHC. After 3 years, realized it wasn’t for me. Took me 10 years to get BACK into the hospital, despite the prior years experience I had. All potential employers were interested in was what I had done in the last 2 years. And for some reason, HHC was not appreciated or understood. If you want to go, then don’t wait too long. The longer you’re out, the harder it is to get back in.

Same here. I work in home health with the same type patients and skills as smartnurse1982, and found recruiters think home care nurses are just babysitters!

I'm not laughing, I sympathize. You do need a change, that is for sure. Nursing takes a toll on you, no matter what field you chose. I wish you luck, and you shouldn't feel discouraged by the negative comments ( myself included), if this is something you feel you must try. It sounds like we all might be feeling a little burnt out.

What I usually bring home with me are my follow up calls. Because of the traffic, it's difficult to do that in between visits, I need that extra time to keep on schedule. For the most part, charting is done in the home, unless the home is too hot, or dirty, or there is nowhere to sit due to clutter.

I did forget to mention the plus side. Yes, there is a plus side to all this madness. It's the autonomy, the ability to use your critical thinking skills, your assessment skills, and knowing that the doctor made the right decision bases on YOUR knowledge. That is a satisfying feeling.

I have been doing home care for 7 years. I transferred from a step down unit. Both positions have stress, just different types. Sadly, there is no such thing as an 8 hour day. And that is due to the amount of paperwork that is required. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is bring my work home, but I must. Then there is the traffic, parking, being out in the elements, the wear and tear on your vehicle. And not to mention, if you saw one of my posts, once you get in to home care, it's difficult to get out. Recruiters do not view what you do for the patients as skilled nursing care. I actually had one recruiter ask if I do any "hands on care" in the home. Patients for the most part can be wonderful, but you do have some unsafe, bug infested areas that you may need to go to. I guess I'm just as burned out as you are right now. But these are the facts. Think before you leap.

Yep. And younger nurses are easier to "mold" into what the manager wants. Where as seasoned nurses like myself, have our own way, and not so easy to change. But I still think the wages are an issue. Why pay someone $50/hr to do the same work that someone who is making $30/hr can do. It's all about budgets and staying out of the red.

I've been looking into the infusion companies, but so far only per diem positions or part time.

Home care nurses provide just as much, if not more skilled care than hospital nurses. But it wears on you. The traffic, the parking, the weather, the wear and tear on your vehicle just to mention a few. And the financial-parking tickets, car repairs, shelling out more for fuel than you're reimbursed. I'm tired! If I have to stay in this field, then management will have to be considered. I think the days of floor nursing are over for me.

The age discrimination has entered my mind. Along with the fact that 20 years experience equals more money that I would have to be paid.

Just to update. Applied and interviewed for 2 acute care positions. Turned down for both. Told by one person that acute care nursing and home care nursing have 2 different focuses! Really, I thought patient care is the main focus?

I am planning on relocating to NE Pa. I attended an open house at Pocono Medical, interview went well, recruiter stated she would be contacting me the following week, then nothing. I am an RN with 20 years experience. I followed up with an email to the recruiter a few weeks later, no response. It's been 2 months, safe to assume I didn't get the position. It would have been nice to at least have gotten a standard rejection letter

One of my coworkers was in the process of doing this, and was told by a nurse recruiter for an acute care position, not to waste the money, it wouldn't help. It's starting to be very discouraging.

Thank you for that.

I can't believe it either Wendy. The position I was denied because I haven't read a monitor? Given to a new grad. I wonder WHAT the recruiters think we do in the field. We do the same skills as an acute care nurse, it's just geography.