Question about home health

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Hello everyone. I just have a quick question. I am interested in going into home health and was wondering why most agencies require that you have med surg experience and why doesn't years as a skilled nurse at a nursing facility qualify?. Please explain. If i need to go into med surg first i really don't mind. I was just wondering why my experience doesn't count.

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Specializes in ER I/CCU Cath lab LTC.

Many agencies DO consider SNF experience. After all, many HHA clients are elderly, and you certainly have experience in that area. I would go ahead and apply. Best of luck!

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Specializes in ICU, BURNS, TRAUMA, TRANSPORT, HH.

Your experience does count, you just have to let them know you are interested and make it VERY clear how you are more than qualified...perhaps in your cover letter.

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Specializes in Home Health.

I agree with the PPs. I think my med surg experience has helped me TREMENDOUSLY in HH nursing and I cannot imagine going to any other specialty before Med Surg!

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Specializes in 1.

From what my mentor told me it is that assessment exposure that med/surg gives you that you will definitely use in the home environment. Patients depend on your keen eye to determine if their wounds, skin, etc are going in the right or wrong direction. I am getting my med/surg experience now so that I can be more flexible and possibly do home health as an independent contractor in the near future.

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Thanks so much for the info. I can really understand that being the reason. My local hospitals have numerous med surg openings and i will be applying asap. Honestly i believe i do need some hospital experience. Thanks to everyone who responded.:)

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