Switching from O.B-relatively new nurse

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Hi all!

I have been an OB (postpartum, perinatal high risk, nursery) nurse for about a year and a half. I would still consider myself relatively new although I like to think I have a good head on my shoulders!! I have been on night shift this whole time (way longer than I had expected) and have no light at the end of the tunnel. I recently went Per Diem because honestly the schedule was just getting ridiculous between my husband (who has regular 9-5 hrs) and I. We didn't feel we were getting enough quality time together and when I was home I was totally not myself! This whole process has made me realize that I really hate the scheduling of the hospital and although day shift would be a tad better it is not a long term solution for me. :crying2:I really like the OB specialty but honestly not enough to stay working there...its been fun, but when I realized I NEVER ever wanted to go back and work another night shift I realized it wasn't worth it for me. I will love my patients....it doesn't matter if they are O.B or not! :nurse:

SO, I accepted a Home Health position on Monday and have my first orientation on this coming Monday. After that I will put in my 2 weeks notice to work (yay!). I will be per diem at Home Health *(which I've heard if you are relatively flexible on income that is the way to go...much more control over your schedule). I am very excited about the opportunity to have work to do during the day (I don't have kids yet...soon!) so I don't get bored during the day. I am happy to be out and about doing my casework during the day and not at a hospital. I will have NO on call time and no nights and only work weekends as my patients require it. THey do have some coverage when necessary. Pay is between 55-75 per visit with a 3 dollar visit incentive :twocents:(instead of mileage pay). Does this sound good? I hear the paperwork is ridiculous but honestly I am just ready for a change...

I will need a lot of training :confused:I am sure and I made that VERY clear to the administrator.

Anybody want to send me some encouraging notes about how they enjoy home health? I know there are pitfalls...the grass is always greener on the other side...just ready to at least try the other side! :yeah:

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I'm also a relatively new nurse. I only had 2 yrs psych experience, and just started in H.H. this past Oct. My agency is training me to do nsg procedures that I need to know and are giving me the most stable of the pt's until I can handle more complex situations. I have an 18pt load currently. I love my hours. 08:15-1630. I have time to take my kids to school, run them to appt's, get my hair done, take days off when needed. I make my schedule to see pt's. It's awesome! I took quite a paycut, so your pay looks really good to me! Home health is definitely a niche of mine. I do have a lot of paper work, however, I did just as much in psych, so it hasn't been hard for me to adjust to. Most negative thing about HH for me is gas prices and getting out into the cold weather. (Iowa)

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I have worked in home health a little over ten years, started in the field, now in the office doing QA/PI. I LOVE it and will never go back to the hospital. HH has it's own stressors, like any other job, but as others have said in the past, the worst day in HH is better than the best day in the hospital.

Congratulations & good luck!

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.

Good for you to get hired per diem! If your income is flexible, that is the way to go. Plus, when you do have kids, you'll still be able to work if you want. Everyone is new to home care at one point, so don't expect to know it all after orientation. I would recommend buying "Home Health Standards...." by T. M. Marrelli. Its worth every penny and I wish I would have had it from the beginning. Good luck!

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

I second the Marelli suggestion. Also consider getting a subscription to Home Healthcare Nurse journal. It's been a great resource for me. Every issue has at least something that pertains to my current situation, unlike publications geared towards hospital nurses. And if you really, truly love home health care, please consider joining the Home Health Nurses Association. Good luck!

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Specializes in L&D.

you'll have to post and tell us how you are liking it. I'm a newer (1.5 years) L&D nurse who has had HH on my mind for a bit now as well... :nurse:

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

I recently started a position after being in dialysis, critical care and burn ICU. Let me tell you I dont believe I'll ever return to hospital or dialysis now. I have had more encouragement and support from my new job as a CM of a HH team then I have had in any of my last jobs in the past 15 years!! My team has 80pts with 4 field nurses. All have more than 16 years experience in the field and have been nothing but supportive of me in my new position. I've been in a nurse almost 30 years, I used to think CC was my niche but got a feeling I should have done this along time ago. Of course there are stressors but as with any position in the field of nursing it's expected. Go for it, I did :)

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Hey ladies!

I just ordered the Marelli book- thanks so much for the suggestion! Any other books important things you think I need, just let me know!! I am so far quite happy with the company. I got paired up with a great nurse to shadow and although it is still a bit overwhelming because every patient is different so I don't know how I can possibly get enough orientation, I think I will end up really liking it! They are already calling me to take on my own cases...I put my foot down (after seeing 1 start of care I don't quite think I am ready yet...:eek:).

I just have to get organized now...so much paperwork, supplies, etc etc...I need to get my system down pat otherwise I will go crazy!!

Thanks again for all the encouragement/replies... much appreciated!!:redpinkhe

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Tammy 777-

I will definitely keep you posted (*via this thread bc I don't know how else to find/contact people)... I am worried about how I will ever get a weekend away but I was assured they could find coverage for me....hehe who knows how that will end up working out. So far though, I was absolutely so burned out on the stress of the hospital and the schedule that I figured I was in dire need of a change. I am a new nurse too- 1.5 yrs OB and loved the specialty but just not into the hospital thing I guess. Contact me anytime... :-)

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Specializes in L&D.

amyla27 - I feel a bit like you did. I've been doing L&D for about a year and a half, and I do like it, but I think I'm going to get burnt out real soon. The hospital I work at is pretty busy, also high risk. I don't know that I'm ready for a change yet, but I find myself looking for other openings and thinking about trying home health alot. So post on here or private message me and tell me how it's going and what it's like :o)

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just checking in to see how you like your new job? do you think you made the right choice? I am thinking of same position change myself.

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Hi "pooter"

Well for me it turned out to be an excellent decision but it probably depends entirely on the company you start working for and also how desperately you hate the hospital environment! I was totally looking for a job that didn't take over my life and I could still be a nurse but not have it completely define me and my schedule :-) I am per diem which is great because they can't force you to take any clients you don't want. I find that I can just work as much as I want to and not any more than that. As far as skills, many of my patients I just evaluate for home safety, need for PT or OT etc etc so that doesn't take too much skill. I have also learned some "new" skills but always know ahead of time what my patients require so I only accept ones I feel confident I can learn! I also don't have to take call which is great... not exactly sure why as there are some nurses that take call (maybe they are the full time ones or have just been there longer with lots of experience) but I find that pretty nice!

And now, I just found out I am pregnant so this is a great job with my tiredness, nausea, etc etc etc!!!

Any more specific questions I'd be HAPPY to answer :)

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