Which homehealth agencies are the best to work for?

amybud, BSN, RN · May 11, 2012

Hi! I'm wondering the same thing as well. I'm currently on a hospital med-surg floor, and wanting badly to get out. I hear great things about home health. I've looked at the 3 major companies in my area (Bayada, Amedisys, Gentiva), and they all get horrible employee reviews online. Which home health company is great to work for?

cara vander wiel · May 12, 2012

Some Home Care RN jobs are much easier. The money may not be as great, but the stress is way lower. My experience has been with agencies that train home health aides and only do personal care services. These are non- certified agencies that do not bill Medicare/Medicaid, usually. Your job's primary focus will be safety and supervision of the HHA. Sometimes you will do medication pre pours, but nursing needs such as wound care, IV's etc will be done by a certified agency. The certified agency nurse will also supervise the aide as to the plan of care, but you will be in charge of training and discipline of the aide. There will be "private" cases also where you as the RN will initiate the plan of care, supervise the aide, deal with assessments and orders. The title Field Nurse Supervisor often covers this job description. I did this type of work in NY, where home care is highly regulated.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · May 12, 2012

VNAs tend to treat their employees well.

Susan317 · May 16, 2012

Not only do VNA's treat their staff well,they train them well also. At least start with a VNA,you will be an asset to another employer,and they know it. Also here VNA's are backed by a union contract, which limits the amount of visits you are required to complete in one day. The pay is not as good but the benefits are great.

luvpets · May 22, 2012

I will be interviewing with VNA in a few weeks. They stated that I was going to be taking a critical thinking test. Any tips on what to study for or a book I can get to help study from? I have never been a HH nurse. I have been a RN for two years working in a hospital, primarily on an ortho/surgical floor.

Thanks

Susan317 · May 22, 2012

It sounds like something that you can't prepare for. They want to know if you can think for yourself in the field with no resources. You'll be fine , I'm sure you'll surprise yourself with what you know. In the home its not what you know, its what you do. Just think what would I do if this were my family member with no VNA services, and do it. There are no emergencies in homecare is my way of thinking.

luvpets · May 22, 2012

Thank you Susan!

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · May 23, 2012

I've also heard good things about Bayada Home Health.

Susan317 · May 23, 2012

luvpets I'd like to know how you do on the test if you don't mind?

luvpets · May 23, 2012

sure thing....it's not until mid June.

pacunuse2009 · May 25, 2012

Actually, you need critical thinking skills. You are the drs eyes. You need to have excellent assessment skills. You will have to pick up on health changes, lung sounds, heart sounds, wound care, etc. if you draw blood in the field, you will have to have I'VE skills. Drawing blood in the home is very different than in the hospital. You have to work independently. Your 7th sense has to be sharp, that is your gut feeling! Subtle changes in a patients condition have to be reported. It takes a sharp nurse to pick up on these things. I have done home health off and on for over 10 years. It is a difficult job. You have no one to relieve you, no change of shift. If your a case manager, they are your responsibility. I had 35 to 40 patients to case manage, plus see my quota of 5 to 6 patients a day. It is a challenging job. Nothing like hospital. You will either love it or hate it. There is a lot to learn, but having time to get to know and actually spend time with your patients and family is wonderful, and also heart wrenching.... Good luck