Working home health on the side? Would it work?

Published

Hi all

As some of you may know based on my previous questions, I eventually i am wanting to get into the hospital setting. I have 1.5 years of experience in Rehab/LTC and now as an RN in peds clinic. I feel I am looking less marketable by the day in this job.

I want to look marketable for a hospital job. I am going back to school for my BSN. I work full time right now but wonder if getting a home health job prn will make me look more marketable skills-wise. Would home health agencies consider me?

Also, whats the best way to break into the hospital? Which unit would most likely hire a person with only outpatient experience? Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Home health agencies would consider you, they like to hire RNs when they can get them, but working in hh will not necessarily help your career. Read some of the threads by people who said they were unable to go back to the hospital after working in hh (not to say there may not be other reasons for this, to include age discrimination). If you want to combine hh with your regular job, you will probably find it easier to do one or more regular shifts on an extended care case, rather than intermittent visits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi all

As some of you may know based on my previous questions, I eventually i am wanting to get into the hospital setting. I have 1.5 years of experience in Rehab/LTC and now as an RN in peds clinic. I feel I am looking less marketable by the day in this job.

I want to look marketable for a hospital job. I am going back to school for my BSN. I work full time right now but wonder if getting a home health job prn will make me look more marketable skills-wise. Would home health agencies consider me?

Also, whats the best way to break into the hospital? Which unit would most likely hire a person with only outpatient experience? Thanks!

You need to network. The best way to get in is to know someone who already works there. You could also consider volunteering to get in the door then go from there

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the replies. I am in my late 20s and sometimes feel like I get discriminated against because they think I may be too young and don't bring a wealth of life experience to my practice. Could that be true?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, I got questioned about my age when I was 43, so I guess it could be possible that the reverse could occur. For the most part, though, I find that the "sweet young things" (probably more with the female nurses) seem to have an easier go of it when it comes to hh. Just an observation over the years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks caliotter. I see you around here on the forums and you have great advice. If you don't mind me asking, did you start in an outpatient setting as a new nurse? Do you know if it's likely and or possible to transition out of outpatient settings into acute care? I haven't tried to apply yet but I'm really discouraged. I feel I need to give this current job a bit more time to not look like a job hopper. Only been here 1 year

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well, I got questioned about my age when I was 43, so I guess it could be possible that the reverse could occur. For the most part, though, I find that the "sweet young things" (probably more with the female nurses) seem to have an easier go of it when it comes to hh. Just an observation over the years.

I have been going out with 2 older nurses, and I find this to be true, so far. The older nurses can run circles around me, but the patients are seeming more responsive to me.

PS: I'm no "sweet young thing" but I'm the younger nurse in the room.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll be blunt. Home health hasn't helped me. Anything other than acute nursing is not considered an asset or experience that applies. Will you have clinical in the BSN program? I would see if you can focus on med/surg if you do. A refresher course may include clinical and will be affiliated with a local hospital. Believe it or not, there isn't necessarily consideration if you go that route. The hospital that did clinical with the community college I refreshed at just started considering refreshed nurses after a push from the college/instructors. There still is no special consideration. Work your network. Work on selling yourself. If you are in the right place at the right time it will help. We just got a supervisor with no home health or management experience. Nobody with experience applied but the administrator did not want someone from the inside, no matter how qualified.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Coming from a home health perspective, you would be considered for hire in HH but short of our most experienced home health nurses (who came with acute care experience), I don't see home health giving you enough relevant experience especially from a per diem short term basis.

I would think LTAC would be more relevant.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion