Unsure about make career change to HHN

[dblaze]

I've been an RN for four years but my only experience is in plastic surgical nursing (OR, Recovery rm, pt care), which I have been doing for 13 years (previously worked as MA in same practice). I was layed off due to the ecomony, apparently plastic surgery is not an essential. Anyway, jobs in my town are very limited at this time but have been offered a job in home health. I am/was very knowlegdable in my specialty but am worried I will feel like a fish out of water and scared I will not now how to handle the diverse health needs of the patients. Any advice?

[caliotter3]

As an RN were you hired for clinical supervisor, case manager, or as field staff? Will you be doing intermittent visits or shift work? Easiest to "ease" into would be shift work. Only one client per day (unless you are doing multiple shifts) with associated paperwork; one shift note. If you do intermittent visits, you will have as many as five to eight clients, with associated paperwork and travel in-between. You will need the skill set to handle whatever comes your way for those hour visits. You have more time to adjust and get your work and paperwork done if you do shifts. Shift work is usually routine, stable clients. Not much spectacular unless someone gets sick or has to go to the hospital for a procedure. Whatever you have signed up for, make certain that you are provided with a thorough orientation. You have to be proactive in asking for this. Don't let them convince you to go running around on your own just because you are an experienced RN. You can, and should, ask questions when you need to. Good luck and hope you like the change.

[RNRutRO]

Home health is a great job. I found that it was very slow going. There's a lot of medicare rules and forms to learn. Most nurses are use to doing a short orientation, then jumping in to a schedule. That was not my experience with home health. Unless you are "replacing" someone, then you have to admit your patients and build up your census.

Don't be scared! Everyone feels liek a fish out of water at some time. But like any new job, there's the learning curve. Maybe ask if you could ride with someone and see if you'd like it. I would never have thought that I would like home health. But, I really do. The patients are in their own envirnoment and generally want the help. Give it a shot. The economy will be up and going again soon, and if you don't like it, you can go back to "boobjobs"