Home care nursing is for individuals who need direct nursing care, but who do not wish to live in a nursing facility. A nurse can visit the home and provide care in that setting. A home health care patient is referred to as a client, and home care can last for a short period of time or an indefinite amount of time, according to Medicare.gov.
Educational Requirements
Nurses qualified to provide home health care are either licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). Both nursing titles have state tested nursing licenses.
Finding a Home Care Job
Nurses can gain employment through a home health care agency, which matches nurses to home clients. The agency establishes the case for the nurse and sets up the client's chart.
In some states, such as Ohio and Indiana, nurses can work independently through the Medicaid system. Independent provider nurses have more responsibility and assume more of the job duties for the client than a nurse who works through a home health care agency. The independent nurse has to establish a client chart and maintain all client records.
Job Duties
Job duties for a home health nurse vary based on an individual client's needs. Medical tasks completed by the nurse can include administering medication, tube feedings, ventilator monitoring and suction of the airway. Some clients may require some light housekeeping duties and assistance with activities of daily living as well.
Benefits
One-on-one care is a significant benefit for both the nurse and the client. The client will receive more specialized attention to medical needs because the nurse will spend the entire shift focused on one person. The nurse will also become extremely familiar with the client, enabling her to familiarize herself with the client's medical history and current medical needs.
Disadvantages
In an emergency situation, no other nurses or physicians are present to help in the home care setting. The nurse is the sole provider for all medical care and must alert 911 to obtain medical assistance for the client.
No one is there to relieve the nurse for breaks or lunches, which means the nurse can work up to 12 hours straight with no breaks.
If the home care nurse has multiple clients, gas expenses can add up quickly. Most nursing agencies do not reimburse nurses for mileage on a vehicle or gas used. Copies of forms and extra medical supplies are sometimes paid for directly from the nurse's pocket. The nurse can write these things off on taxes if proper logs are kept per an accountant's guidelines.
