Question for "home care" LPN/LVN's

[FutureNurse_203]

I am currently enrolled in an LPN program. Still have a while to go yet, but I am seriously considering the home care route once I graduate. If you have any experience in the home care setting, please take a minute and answer the following questions. Thnx:redpinkhe

1. What is the avg amount per visit an agency will pay you?
   
2. How long are you required or is there a time limit to stay with each patient?
   
3. How many patients can you see per day?
   
4. Do most agencies provide mileage reimbursement?
   
5. Which is more fulfilling to you? Home Care or hospital setting?
   

Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer:nurse:

[caliotter3]

One of my employers offers me $25 per visit, should I do them. Visit rates where I am, probably vary from $25 to $32 per visit for LVNs. I don't do visits, instead do shift work, mostly because I don't care to be driving all over creation, with loads of paperwork to do, and worrying about having enough visits per day/week to satisfy the employer, satisfy my paycheck. One trip to work, one client/family, one shift for eight hours or 12 hours, one nurses note, for each workday and one paycheck each week or two weeks, works for me.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

It depends on the case. Some families are misinformed of the role of a nurse in their home. We are not there to babysit the entire family until the parent comes home, are not responsible to do major housekeeping. Some families really expect you to do this. There are some that will ask you to administer medications not ordered on the MAR, misplace the medications that are supposed to be administered or even some that will expect that you go to the pharmacy and PAY for their meds with the promise of "I'll pay you back".

I did think that for the most part, it was a bit more fulfilling, but I'd rather acquire more bedside skills to return there. You are essentially alone there and it can be the family versus you. If there is an emergency, you have no others at your beck and call, and have to call 911, while trying to sustain the client until they arrive. This has not happened to me, but I always had that scenerio in the back of my head. Home care was not my primary job, anyhow. I did it on the side along with my primary position working in a clinic. I intend to return to it eventually, but have received other opportunities for learning.

[Ks mommy nurse]

One of my employers offers me $25 per visit, should I do them. Visit rates where I am, probably vary from $25 to $32 per visit for LVNs. I don't do visits, instead do shift work, mostly because I don't care to be driving all over creation, with loads of paperwork to do, and worrying about having enough visits per day/week to satisfy the employer, satisfy my paycheck. One trip to work, one client/family, one shift for eight hours or 12 hours, one nurses note, for each workday and one paycheck each week or two weeks, works for me.

I agree with you, shift care IS what works for me. I've worked in home care for 6 years and prefer that than visits. The paper work for the day is enough for one, so to do several just to equal what I make for an entire shift that varies from 8-10 hrs. is not worth it for me.