Starting HH next week.

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Hi all,

I'm starting as a PRN HH nurse on 5/26. I'm really looking forward to it! I prefer to work independently, love patient education, and really enjoy the focus of 1-1 care.

I was a career changer. I was an administrative professional for a decade before becoming a RN. I've been a RN for a few years now. I've done ICU, Tele, floated all over the hospital, and community health (specifically communicable disease work). My computer skills are pretty top notch and with the community health work I've done (my most recent job) loads of documentation doesn't scare me in the slightest. Some investigations I had to do for reportable diseases were 20 pages long and had to be documented in 3 different programs/databases. Oh, and they had a 24 hour deadline. That job made me so glad I can type 100+ wpm.

My plan is to go into HH orientation like a sponge. Absorb all the information I can. The agency I'm going to be working for (HomeCall/LHC) drop-ships supplies to the clients' homes so I've been told I won't have to carry a bunch of supplies in my vehicle. After orientation/precepting I will be paid per visit and the rate is competitive in my area (Maryland). I get mileage reimbursement, too. My vehicle is paid off so it is enough to maintain it and put gas in it. Dress code is either navy scrubs or navy collared top with khakis. I plan to wear scrubs. All documentation is electronic and a tablet is provided by the agency.

I'd love to hear from those of you who do HH, new and veterans. Any tips, advice, etc. is greatly appreciated. I'd especially like to know how you do your charting? I'm thinking I'm going to try to do all I can in the home to not have so much to do after hours. I've never touched OASIS before and I'm eager to learn it.

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HH companies differ, if you only gain skills at this one to take to a better fit, it will be worth it.

You will unexpectedly come across courageous people, keep your radar on for them, they're inspiring.

Document at each visit, even if you're pulling over, allot time between visits.

Build relationships with every contact.

You're going to hit a discouraging point, gut it out

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I started in home health in September with 14 years of hospital experience behind me. I love hh so very much!

be ready for a steep learning curve, it can be discouraging at times, it gets easier a few months in.

Set boundaries immediately. I work for a wonderful agency, but they will overload you if they can. I think part of that phenomenon is that our office staff is not clinical, so it doesn't register to them that some visits are intensive, that 6 visits in 4 hours is not possible etc. but, they are fine when I need to refuse something. So learn you limits and don't be afraid to say no. If you have a work cell turn it off (or silent) on days off, especially if clients have the number.

Do do as much of your charting at the visit as you can. Finish up whatever you can't right when you get home. My worse days have been the days I push charting to late in the day, hate sitting on my couch at 10 pm charting.

Find a good resource person and keep them close! You will have tons of questions.

Thats all all I can think of now. Good luck!

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Hi there, I saw your post and wanted to know how is it going? I'm looking at Homecall for a job in Md also...and wanted to see if your still with the company or did they not deliver or are you happy...hope to hear from you

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