Seriously considering leaving HH

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I love the patients, the autonomy and even the driving when the weather is nice, especially in the Fall driving through the hills of Western PA. I do not enjoy the disorganization of my company. I'm also finding that I'm not willing to take a chance driving in perilous weather when there is pressure to do so.

I tried it full time and they buried me with admissions and a full load to case manage and visit right out of the gate after a two week orientation. I went casual. My replacement was hired and quickly quit right after her orientation. Her husband threatened to leave her if she kept on doing paperwork every night. They still didn't get the message.

The disorganization continues. When I come in, I have to fish for my assignments and the charts that could be in any number of places. I could be scheduled to do stat blood draws in two different counties and no way to get them both done on time requiring calls to doctors, etc. There's often no one to to refer to when there are problems. I've tried proposing solutions but have been stonewalled. I'm outta here.

Interviewing with other HH agencies has been fruitless. I'm still left with the problem of winter ice and snow. Many homes in the area have steep stairs from the outside, unshoveled steep walkways and driveways, etc. even if the roads are clear. I'm giving serious consideration to giving psych nursing a try. It's always been an interest of mine. Nothing to bring home with me after a shift using a different skill set. I enjoyed running groups during my psych rotation in school. I have an interview on Friday.

Yes, I am venting. Sorry.

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

I am so sorry that you are going through all of that. I agree with you that the agency makes or breaks the job. I am so fortunate that my VNA is very supportive and we all work as a team. But after driving through an ice storm this morning I can almost see where you are coming from...but with me the pros outweigh the cons. I hope that a new position in psych will work out for you - I too loved that rotation. Good luck to you.

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I'm so sorry to hear that you are leaving hh, but can certainly understand your reasoning and if in the same circumstances, would probably do the same thing. As for the poor agency practices, it is not always feasible to find a better agency. There are only so many available in any given area. You could only, at best, roll with the punches there. I've been in the same situation as you when you try to make suggestions and get the stone wall act. I've had to bite my tongue and lower my own job expectations. Don't have the tremendously bad weather though. That would be the deal breaker for me. Considered a move for climate reasons? Hope you like your new area of nursing once you get situated in a new job. Good luck in your new undertakings.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Thanks for the tea and sympathy. My interview for psych is tomorrow. It will mean a cut in pay from my last full time position. The question is how much. It would mean going back to a previous employer so I know what to expect although this department is somewhat independent. For instance, they're a union shop whereas the main hospital campuses are not.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Had a great interview with psych. I'm actually excited about the possibility and fairly confident there will be an offer on the table early next week. I'm finding that most psych nurses went straight into psych right out of NS. My technical skills make me more valuable. Will that translate into more money? We'll see.

To be able to leave work at work will be a blessing. I do hope this is the last stop on the road to finding my niche. It would be a relief to settle down and get comfortable in one spot.

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

Hope it works out for you! :up: Keep us posted!

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Specializes in med-surg,ltc,home health.

That's funny that you are going back to psych. A few of us were talking the other day about how we were disillusioned with home health and were remembering how we liked psych. My only problem would be I would have to drive about 40 miles or more to the metroplex to work in psych.

Would you work three 12's?

Good luck to you!!

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
That's funny that you are going back to psych. A few of us were talking the other day about how we were disillusioned with home health and were remembering how we liked psych. My only problem would be I would have to drive about 40 miles or more to the metroplex to work in psych.

Would you work three 12's?

Good luck to you!!

Must be something in the air :D. There's positive and negative to everything, no perfect job. Here in the Northeast, I think every winter it must occur to all HH staff that there has to be a better way to make a living at one time or another. Then when the spring has sprung, the sun shines and the mountain laurel is blooming, it's all forgotten. Well, some of it anyway.:icon_roll But I don't think you guys go through that winter stuff down there do ya?

We're talking two 8's and two 12s. Unfortunately, all the 12s are taken. I'll immediately put my bid in for three 12s. So for now, the 12s will be days and the 8s will rotate first and second shift with every other weekend off.

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Specializes in med-surg,ltc,home health.

Your right about the good and bad in everything. I am trying to work on my attitude cause sometimes it can be a bit stinky.

Thankfully Texas doesn't have much ice or snow. It is the August heat that will kill you.

Again, good luck to you in your new venture!

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