Thinking of HHC??

[stephalina6, BSN, RN]

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I've been an RN for 1 year at a hospital in the telemetry unit. I've been thinking of HHC because I like the one on one with patients but we don't have much time for that in the hospital. But my biggest weakness is wound care. With wound vacs we have a dedicated wound nurse that works with all the wound vacs so I have very limited skill with those. We don't do much wound care on the telemetry unit period. And the one thing I like about the hospital I'm in is that everyone is real helpful, and from what I understand about HHC is that you're on your own. With all that said.... How many visits are actual wound care visits? And if my weakness is wound care, should I still consider HHC? What do you find the pros and cons to HHC?

Thanks so much for any advice.

[jdonovan151]

HHC would be a great choice if your interested in wound care. That is a great and much needed niche. I would see about getting a wound/ostomy certification Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®)... You'll be able to write your own ticket.

Good luck!

-JD

[Libby1987]

Wound care is teachable.

What you really need to consider is the foundation of home health nursing ie working out of your car, driving all day, independence in setting up your your schedule and then being flexible enough to regroup after it falls apart, working independently out in the field and being comfortable and competent using your resources, ownership of your cases, good follow through and understanding that the end of shift isn't picked up by someone else, documenting for reimbursement and regulation..

[marshallseo5]

I agree with the previous comment. Just like in life, there are pros and cons to everything. I have a friend who enjoys the home setting much more than a nursing home. There are time he works part-time (given that her agency allows her to be flexible with schedule). But it also means sometimes she has to travel a lot.