Transitioning from Acute Care to HH

Published

I have been an acute care RN for the past two years. I was lucky enough to have a job on a cardiac stepdown unit before I had even signed up to take my boards and I am grateful for that. But after working on three different units, I know for a fact that I do not like acute care nursing. At all.

I was recently offered a HH position which has full benefits after 90days, $45 for routine visits, $85 for ROC visits, and $115 for SOC visits. The company provides iPads and iPhones to use for work and I would be trained for about 2 weeks. The job is M-F from 8-5 which I need due to childcare issues. It sounds good but I'm worried about the transition.

Can anyone tell me about their experience when moving from acute care nursing to HH? Should I be worried?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just started as a HH RN after working in Med/Surg for 1 year and I love it so far! I am only just off of orientation, and the paperwork and case management aspect of the job will definitely take some time for me to figure out. Not because it's difficult, but because it's a lot of new information, phone numbers, processes, and systems to learn and understand.

I love seeing patients in their homes, they are so much more relaxed and appreciative. I feel like you get to really see the bigger picture. It's obviously much less clinical, which I really like. And I do feel like I am still making complicated nursing decisions and using many nursing skills that I didn't get to use even in the hospital.

I don't know where you are living, but the pay sounds great to me! More than I am making!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your input! I have a feeling I will like it but I just don't want to regret my decision. I have until Monday to officially accept the offer but I have an interview tomorrow at a clinic so my decision will be based off whether I have a chance at getting the clinic position.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, and I live in Phoenix, AZ.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm wondering the same thing! I've been on med/surg almost 2 years now and hate it!! I think I'm just being burnt out of being in a hospital setting really. I've been there 6 years and I'm over it. I'm very independent and I actually like working alone, I'm kind of a loner lol because people and their drama at work drive me crazy!! I just want to know what a day of a HH nurse is like??? I wish I could shadow them before I make a huge decision to leave. I don't switch jobs often so its very scary to me to do that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm wondering the same thing! I've been on med/surg almost 2 years now and hate it!! I think I'm just being burnt out of being in a hospital setting really. I've been there 6 years and I'm over it. I'm very independent and I actually like working alone, I'm kind of a loner lol because people and their drama at work drive me crazy!! I just want to know what a day of a HH nurse is like??? I wish I could shadow them before I make a huge decision to leave. I don't switch jobs often so its very scary to me to do that.

I've been at a couple hospitals in the past two years. I would switch the hospital/unit hoping that I would like it more and every time I hated it. I finally just had to come to the realization that I'm not into acute care. I had a clinic job and loved it but left because of pay/benefits. I seriously feel like I'm a customer service rep instead of an RN. I'd rather work in an area of nursing where the focus is patient care and not HCAP scores and reimbursement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't see where you would have a problem as long as you have considered that you will be driving around a lot and you have read the posts/threads detailing the possibility of spending a lot of time finishing up paperwork and doing other follow-up on your own time. If you are ok with those two aspects of hh, then you should find the change of venue to be welcoming.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do HH agencies typically offer benefits such as medical ins etc....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The clinical manager made sure to tell me that some charting would need to be done at home, mainly the OASIS. But I'm okay with that especially since I'll be at home with my kids while doing it. As long as I can be with them in the evenings instead of at work I should be okay.

I do feel that I'll become annoyed with all the driving but I need to make sacrifices if I want more time with my family. And I got hired for a specific area close to where I live so hopefully I won't dread it too much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ya I think it's acute care I'm not crazy about either. I want to try OB really bad before I jump ship. It's not worth being miserable anymore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do HH agencies typically offer benefits such as medical ins etc....

The agency I'm going to offers full benefits, but after 90 days. They have PTO and paid holidays too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Never heard of benefits for FFS nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion