Medicare & Medicaid Certified
Licensed with Minnesota Department of Health
Brenda Kraling came to Comfort Health expecting she’d be using the same skills she had grown accustomed to in a hospital setting. But once she started working in home healthcare, she saw her skillset as a nurse grow. “It gives you a better understanding of nursing overall. I really have liked using more of my nursing skills, blood draws, IVs, wound care.” For many healthcare professionals transitioning into home health care, just one week of work can dismiss many of the misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the profession. All around the nation, healthcare professionals are beginning to embrace the pace, skills, and meaningful work involved with a job in the home healthcare industry. From the tempo to the reward, we’re here to dispel some of the biggest myths about careers in home healthcare.
While many professionals working for large hospitals feel they’re simply a cog in a machine, home healthcare careers can provide a greater sense of meaning and connectedness. Michael Sheedy (PT) made the switch to Comfort, seeking a less hierarchal business structure. “It’s very powerful to work in a place that you feel far more valuable than in a bigger environment.” Between the personal fulfillment of impacting a long-term patient’s life, and the variety of tasks required to keep an organization running, every home health employee can directly see the positive influence they have on their environment.
Many healthcare professionals believe home healthcare is too slow and monotonous. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Brenda Kraling (RN) describes the importance of quick decision-making in her day-to-day. “You have to be able to make a decision, sometimes on the spot” The unpredictable nature of home healthcare creates a busy and demanding environment for its employees. The change of scenery and development of unique challenges requires professionals to always be on their toes, finding the best solution for each individual patient.
Working in various patients’ homes gives rise to a wide variety of challenges and scenarios. Sam Blum (RN) finds he feels more like a nurse than he ever did when working in a hospital setting. “I’ve worked in the hospital and I’ve worked on this side of things too, and I think that being a home health nurse, I use way more of my clinical skills and critical thinking.” Home healthcare workers can adapt and hone their skills to meet each patients’ needs. Furthermore, professionals in home healthcare can specialize their skills. While there can be a lot of overlap, home healthcare organizations are able to embrace and utilize the unique skills of each nurse, therapist, and aide.
While many home health patients are seniors, organizations take on a wide range of cases every day. Olivia Krisik (RN) was surprised by the diverse clientele she sees. “We have clients of all ages, all cultures. And a lot of them can do a lot of things for themselves, they just can’t do this one thing, or they need help with this one thing.” From pediatrics to mothers, there is no limit to which patients home health organizations assist. The diversity of clients home health professionals work with on a daily basis creates a crucial sense of variety.
As opposed to a typical hospital setting, where it’s much harder to grow into a larger role, home healthcare organizations can provide more growth opportunities. Lynette Hoffman (Director of Operations)—who started as an off-hour scheduler—has seen these opportunities firsthand. “Within our organization, there are opportunities to grow and develop, and turn your passion into a position. One of the beauties of homecare is you can chart your own development path.” Home healthcare offers a unique ebb and flow between office/clerical staff, nurses, aides, and even management positions. When you sign up to work in home healthcare, you’re not siloed into your role.