Starting in Home Health

[mind_body_soul RN]

Hi All,

A little background:

I have 8 months of LTC/SNF experience as an LPN (RN and LPN roles are the same minus an occasional IV antibiotic). I graduated with my ADN in December and I will take the NCLEX-RN on Tuesday. I was recently offered both a med-surg position and a home health position. I know that it would probably have been better to take the med-surg job as a new grad, except that it was in another city and it would have been financially impossible for me to move. Plus, my husband got a job here and local hospitals are on a hiring freeze.

The home health position is actually really awesome, lots of perks. I think I will enjoy the autonomy and being able to actually spend time with my patients and do some teaching versus feeling like a pill vending machine in LTC. The downside is, as a new grad RN with only 8 months of nursing experience, I feel terrified to be on my own in home health. The agency seems reputable and the DON said that my orientation will be whatever I need it to be, but I am still overwhelmed.

My questions are: Do you have any advice for a new home health nurse? Any resources (books, websites, etc.) that you can recommend? I am reviewing my physical assessment and skills textbooks from school, and my agency gave me a huge binder with guidelines for documentation. Also, what types of certifications are valuable for a home health nurse?

I know I have my work cut out for me, but I am eager to learn. Your nuggets of wisdom are appreciated.

[I<3H2O, BSN, RN]

So, you will be hired as an LPN and then they will retain you as an RN? As an LPN, you will need excellent assessment skills. Familiarize yourself with the Medicare Benefit Policy chapter 7. Watch YouTube videos for proper bag technique and PRACTICE it. As an RN, you will need OASIS-C guidance. OASIS is difficult. lol You will learn every time you do one.

[mind_body_soul RN]

Very helpful, thank you!