Shift work vs. home visits

[ittybittybabynurse]

I am currently in the hospital, but I am very burnt & stressed out and am considering a change to home health. What are the pros & cons of shift work vs. home visits? I don't know which I'd rather do. As far as home visits go, what's the difference between pay per hour & pay per visit?

What questions do I need to ask of the agency that I may potentially work for?

Any helpful tips would be appreciated!

[caliotter3]

You should go through this forum and read many of the older threads and you will find the input you are looking for. If you are burned out, I would suggest shift work rather than intermittent visits for the greatest change to "lower stress". You only work with one patient for your shift and only have to do paperwork for that one patient. You don't have to drive from place to place and don't have the stress of trying to meet your agency's goals for visit "production". Shifts are generally done for long term care clients who are stable and require routine care. You are paid an hourly rate depending upon your agency's pay rates. Some pay a straight rate. Others will vary with the reimbursement source, e.g. different rates for private pay, private insurance, medicaid, etc., or if unionized, union rules for pay raises. Most people seem to prefer hourly rates rather than per visit, because you are more likely to be donating your time if you are doing visits. Seven visits in one day means paperwork for seven clients. Some clients will require follow-up phone calls, etc. More likely to be done on your dime. If you do shifts, you do your work, including paperwork, during your shift, so you get paid for actual time worked. I think one of the more important questions you should ask is about orientation, to the job in general, and to individual clients. The better your orientation, the better you will be able to adapt. Usually you will have to be proactive about getting your orientation. HTH

[bebop1]

home health is great. most of the time it is monday thru friday. and then rotate weekends depends on how many nurses you have to work....like the last home health I work for I worked once a month on weekends. I would go to work like 8 or 9 and finish...2-3....its when you finish you finish.....you get a number of patients a day...you need to see them....and once you are done...you are done...if you need to run to the store in the middle of the day....or the doctor...go...just make sure you put it into your schedule!!!its great!!!I love home health!!