You may want to consider looking at less desirable career options such as a nursing home o

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2015

I was browsing around the forum reading different conversations and happened upon this comment in Nurse Management. I am not a home health RN yet, but will be starting my new position as home health RN later this month and I took offense to this statement. Why would a manager state that home health is "less desirable?" I am really, really excited to start in this career choice, leaving med/surg nursing after many, many years.

In my experience, the nursing attributes that I learned being in a non acute setting-especially in Home Health has made me DESIRABLE to managers-even for the hospital; it has also helped me obtain leadership positions as well.

Home Health is a specialty in it's own right; you will learn a lot and many times do FAR MORE than one can do in a facility setting; you learn how to chart legally perfect due to reimbursement requirements, learn to manage holistic issue that arise; you are a nurse, case manager and educator rolled into one. Your skills as a med-surg nurse will transcend and serve as a great foundation.

Best wishes.

Patchouli · Jan 4, 2015

The skills I learned working in the acute care setting have really assisted me in the home health setting. It's the charting and insurance regulations that have made this job a challenge. I enjoy my work, but don't go into it thinking you are working less. Right now, I am working more. Sure, it's charting, but it is immense! Still, to be appreciated for what I do, to not be pulled in a million different directions at once, to be paid fairly, it is worth it! I cannot wait to have my year in. Imagine how much more I will know! My goal is to possibly go into travel home health, but not till I get more time in. Congratulations on your new endeavor! I know personally how hard it is to leave the hospital for a position like this, it shows resilience and adaptability. Most of the nurses I worked with in the hospital would never leave, the fear of the unknown, the comfort of the familiar, no matter how terrible, keeps them there. The worst parts of the job so far are charting, traffic, and bad weather. Nothing like the organized chaos that was once my life in the hospital. Welcome to home health!

amoLucia · Jan 5, 2015

Enjoyed reading this post. Seems everyone had a very different opinion but they were all correct in that HH (like many other nursing subspecialties) are unique and all depended on being seen 'in the eye of the beholder').

Kind of like 'different strokes for different folks' which is very, very good.

JackieAnn · Jan 8, 2015

I have enjoyed reading the comments regarding HH. I am starting as an hourly HH nurse in a few days after being miserable as a floor nurse for 3 years. I am looking forward to the change, the in patient setting is unbelievable. No CNA's, no breaks (except for lunch), undo able expectations, sore feet, yadda yadda....I am praying this will be the right fit for me.

fin0814 · Jan 8, 2015

Dear JackieAnn,

I am in the same boat as you. I am leaving floor nursing behind due to the reasons you mentioned plus more. No matter what we did management would never be satisfied. Patients were ALWAYS right no matter what... I cannot tell you the number of times I was cussed at, belittled, attacked by patients, etc. Do not get me wrong, there were many times that I really, really enjoyed floor nursing such as the time that I had a dying man who only wanted to have a shave. I stayed late in the morning and completely shaved his face. This involved cutting the hair and shaving with those dull razors, but he was ever so grateful. His family did not recognize him when they came in. It hurt my back and legs but I was more than happy to do it for him and I made the patient extremely happy and the family, but guess what... I got in trouble for staying one half hour late to do this!!!! That was the straw that broke the camel's back. They wanted the patients happy and the families happy, but WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT WORK OVER. That night I did not take a break at all but never charged the unit for my lunch.... Anyway, I am excited to start HH and cannot wait to get going. I have my new scrubs being delivered today, got funky new shows, new stethoscope, nursing bag, etc. I am completely starting over and wanted new things to mark my new field.

I will let you know how things are going when I get a month into the new job. I know I will have a huge learning curve regarding insurance, etc. but I had an even larger learning curve when I started as a new RN in med/surg. Good luck to you.

outside_child · Mar 25, 2015

Yes!!!! Well said JaneRivers!

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2015

I make significantly more money than when I worked in the hospital, I don't work nights, I don't work weekends, I don't work Holidays. I function independently. Anyone who thinks I'm somehow less of a nurse or work in a less desired role can kiss my rear.

Libby1987 · Mar 26, 2015

I make significantly more money than when I worked in the hospital, I don't work nights, I don't work weekends, I don't work Holidays. I function independently. Anyone who thinks I'm somehow less of a nurse or work in a less desired role can kiss my rear.

i made $700 with some OT today, 3 hrs of it at home, 2 teaching paperwork to new employee at the local coffee house, and saw 6 appreciative patients. Respectful dr's offices returning my calls. Ate and peed as much as I wanted.. *knock wood, I haven't worked a weekend in years, have never worked Christmas or Tday in 8 yrs.

I really don't get the aversion.

Anewby · Mar 26, 2015

and this is exactly why I am starting a PRN HH position next week! I have a feeling I will be leaving the floor soon!