Thinking Of Hh, Please Answer ?'s

Published

There are a lot of great posts, but I still have questions. I've been in med/surg for about a year. I like it okay, but really feel like I want something different. I think I'd like HH. I like the freedom of being outside and not stuck inside a hospital for 12 hr+ shifts. I like the idea of working with patients, one at a time!! I have some questions for you....

When you go to a patient's home, do you do a FULL assessment on each patient? Or do you focus on their main issue (ie wound care, IV tx, etc)? I've done a couple vac dressings. I think they're great, but worry about being on my own with no one around!!

I do blood draws off of central lines and PICCs, but otherwise blood draws are done via our techs at the hospital. Is it hard to do blood draws peripherally? I've seen it done plenty of times, but worry I'd be the one to hit a darn artery or something!! I've heard it done before, just keep pressure on it, but I'd rather not be the one to deal with it!!

I tend to worry about stupid things, but I really want to find my niche. I don't want to do this and end up driving others around all the time so they can shadow. I'm sure once in a while we are all shadowed, but I don't want this to be too often, or I'll just work in a hospital again. I like freedom. Before nursing my husband and I own our own business (he still does). The freedom of the business was great and I'd love that again. Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Its our policy to do a full assessment on each visit unless they are BID etc and then it depends upon why we are seeing them. Venipuncture is similar to starting a peripheral line. We send all our new nurses to a lab to have a phlebotomy day and get numerous sticks at one time. All nurses are precepted and if you have never done a procedure, we have them watch one and then do three with supervision. Each agency is run differently, you just need to ask questions when you interview and find the best fit for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.
There are a lot of great posts, but I still have questions. I've been in med/surg for about a year. I like it okay, but really feel like I want something different. I think I'd like HH. I like the freedom of being outside and not stuck inside a hospital for 12 hr+ shifts. I like the idea of working with patients, one at a time!! I have some questions for you....

When you go to a patient's home, do you do a FULL assessment on each patient? Or do you focus on their main issue (ie wound care, IV tx, etc)? I've done a couple vac dressings. I think they're great, but worry about being on my own with no one around!!

I do blood draws off of central lines and PICCs, but otherwise blood draws are done via our techs at the hospital. Is it hard to do blood draws peripherally? I've seen it done plenty of times, but worry I'd be the one to hit a darn artery or something!! I've heard it done before, just keep pressure on it, but I'd rather not be the one to deal with it!!

I tend to worry about stupid things, but I really want to find my niche. I don't want to do this and end up driving others around all the time so they can shadow. I'm sure once in a while we are all shadowed, but I don't want this to be too often, or I'll just work in a hospital again. I like freedom. Before nursing my husband and I own our own business (he still does). The freedom of the business was great and I'd love that again. Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks.

Hi there,

I worked Neuro/Trauma for 10 months before switching to HH. I really liked Neuro, but I loved the idea of my independence. My company never expects (or wants) me to go to a patient's house and do a new to me procedure. I will always have another RN with me for new procedures. Try it out! I love it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion