Should I Become a Home Health RN?

[conurse2015]

Hi all,

I have seen other threads on this topic, but I want more recent information. I currently work in a SNF and have been there for a little over a year. It can be very hard to care for 25+residents at one time. It is very hard to complete all of your tasks and sometimes I feel like I can't keep everyone safe. Considering my shift the other day: one admit at start of shift, one resident had chest pain, 3 residents having loose stool (possible Cdiff), many behaviors and impulsiveness by other residents, and then another admit 2 hours before end of shift. I am longing for more 1:1 patient care. I have been considering home health lately and was hoping for some advice, tips, stories, etc. My main concern is safety. Please share any advice!

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

I have done some home visits. I worked inner city and did not experience safety issues. I did a home visit in a neighborhood that was a safety concern. I recall numerous people sitting out on the front porch in various homes. I said Hi, and asked for directions in one home, and several people started to point and tell me how to get to my destination. It turns out that I was a few homes away from my destination. One person even rushed (walked) ahead of my destination and started ringing the doorbell for my patient's home and shouted "your nurse is here". I never experienced safety issues when I went to the homes. Most people are not going to harm nurses. I think the public generally like nurses.

However, other issues exist in homes. For example, homes that are not clean or healthy for your patient. Patient's who are at home and not able to care for themselves. How to resolve this issues? There is extensive documentation because you may be the last to see the patient. It happened to one of the nurses who worked with me. What was your assessment of the patient and the home environment and what did you do about it if there were problems. There is quite of bit of case management involved. Many home health agencies have on call responsibilities. Personally, I hated the commuting of long miles to patient homes, finding a place to park, being loss in unknown areas, traffic tickets...

There were some great patients, and the pace was slower. You have time to do your work. However, you may easily extend your stay and work day if you don't manage your time carefully.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Home Health Nursing forum for more replies.

[rnrg]

Hi I do private duty nursing which is usually in shifts of 8, 12, 14 or 16 hours at a time. I make my own schedule and I currently make more money at an hourly rate higher than most of my nursing friends who work in facilities or hospitals.

[missposhtee]

can you please tell me more about private duty nursing?

[LeChien, BSN, RN]

Are you looking at working with pediatrics or adults?