School nursing versus home health

Windchaser22 · Apr 26, 2015

I've done both plus floor nursing. Each has their pluses and minuses. All are apples to oranges comparisons.

You didn't mention whether the home health is adult or peds. Picking the primary population you care for is a major consideration. Driving, your safety, weather, support, supplies, training, patient load, patient acuity, and hours are also important considerations.

Personally I love school nursing because of the diversity and depth of the speciality; however, this is really about what you want for your nursing practice. Good luck!

OldDude · Apr 27, 2015

I've done both plus floor nursing. Each has their pluses and minuses. All are apples to oranges comparisons...... however, this is really about what you want for your nursing practice. Good luck!

This really is your answer; it's what's in your nursing personality. I tried adult home health nursing and after 6 months I ran as fast as I could back to pediatrics and ultimately elementary school nursing. But that's my preference....

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 27, 2015

i did some home health nursing to fill in my summer. It wasn't for me. I just didn't like going into peoples nasty disgusting homes. Didn't like being sent all over with not so great directions (this was before i had a gps). But - I was working per diem and perhaps not seeing regular clients had having a regular relationship with them was part of it. The money was good, but by the end of summer, I turned in my big tub of supplies and work shirts and bid them adieu.

kayakqueen · Apr 27, 2015

I have worked in home health and am currently a school nurse. Like the others, I agree that your like or dislike of any field of nursing is based on your personality/preferences as much as anything.

I found home health to be draining in a number of ways. Constantly crossing the earth to try to hunt down patients who should be "homebound" but really weren't, going in to disgusting homes and being afraid to even sit down, seeing patient problems in the home and calling the doctor for an easy solution only to have them refuse to prescribe any changes without an office/ER visit anyway. This, however, was only my experience. As a positive, the money was good.

I find school nursing to be far more autonomous and pleasurable on a daily basis. I love the younger age group and the predictable hours. And of course, the summer/breaks off just can't be beat. However, as you likely know, you shouldn't be a school nurse for the pay!

Hope that's helpful and good luck on your decision!

NanaPoo · Apr 27, 2015

I did home hospice. I'm not sure how close to home health that is but I really loved it. I was able to work 8-3, just like I do as a school nurse. The only difference was that I did have to take on-call hours one night per week and one weekend per month (that sure doesn't happen as a school nurse.)

I absolutely loved going into my patient's homes and loved getting to know them. They became like family.

As a school nurse I get the long breaks off with my daughter: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and summer. That doesn't happen with home health!

But, I made twice the salary with home hospice. So there are definite trade-offs with either job.

I would choose school nursing for this season of life because it works for my relationship with my daughter. When she's off to college in six years, I may consider returning to hospice. OR, I'll return to my true calling: TROPHY WIFE!!

mamahuff · Apr 27, 2015

I absolutely loved my 10 years in home health. But, I worked in rural north Missouri. So, there wasn't much "fear factor" involved. I felt a little uncomfortable a few times, but nothing that could have scared me off. That was before all the changes in Medicare, when we still had the time to go the extra mile and really became part of our patient's families.

I love love love school nursing. Probably weighing the 2. I would choose school nursing.

Good luck! a.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · May 4, 2015

I think my 5 years of HH set me up perfectly for this job. There is a lot of autonomy and thinking on your feet with no one nearby bounce things off of.