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Blog

Nurse-friendly Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

Nov 10 2022

Personal Finance / Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

Black Friday (11/25) and Cyber Monday (11/28) are quickly approaching, so be sure to check back often as this page will be updated daily as new deals become available!

Early Black Friday deals from Amazon

Listed below are some great deals for products on Amazon Prime. If you log in to your account and click on the “Early Black Friday Deals” tab, they’ll even show you more personalized options for deals you may like based on your buying history.

  • Beats Earbuds
  • JBL True Wireless Headphones
  • ASUS Laptops and Desktops
  • Keurig K-Mini Brewer
  • Lasko Heaters
  • Breville Smart Ovens
  • TOLOCO Massage Gun
  • Fitbits
  • Mattresses and Mattress Frames
  • Up to 50% off on select home decor and artwork
  • Up to 37% off of cookware and appliances
  • Ray-Ban and Oakley
  • HP desktops, laptops, and monitors

Black Friday Deals for Nurses by Category

Below are the deals that were going on last year and we expect the same or similar deals in the coming weeks:

Scrubs

If you’ve been eyeing that new cute tulip top or some nice and comfy jogger scrub bottoms, now is your chance to jump on these savings.

Figs

Figs Black Friday promotion is going on right now and will continue until Monday 11/29/21 11:59 pm PT online. You can also subscribe to their email promos to take an additional 15% off!

Jaanuu

Jaanuu is offering up to 70% off select styles and 35% off regular-priced items. However, offers cannot be combined or stacked. Offer valid from 11/21/21 9:00 p.m. PT through 11/28/21 9:00 p.m. PT.

Shoes

It’s been a hectic few years for nurses, so it’s no surprise your nursing shoes have seen some increased wear and tear as well. Luckily, some of our favorite nursing shoe brands are offering some footwear discounts this week too!

Crocs

Get up to 50% off select styles. Offer valid online at Crocs.com until Sunday 11/28/21 at 11:59 pm MT.

New Balance

Up until November 25, New Balance is offering up to 20% off select styles & free shipping. New Balance also has free shipping on all orders until December 31.

Nike

For Black Friday, Nike is offering up to 50% off select styles. For even more savings, you can use the special code “BLACKFRIDAY” at checkout for an additional 20% off select styles.

For your nursing bag

Hydroflask

Hydroflask rarely runs sales, so be sure to take advantage of this one! They’re offering 25% off sitewide (excluding outdoor kitchen, day escape, and My Hydro).

Zagg

With 40% off site wide, Zagg has plenty of power banks, screen protectors, cases, and even phone sanitizers to choose from to add to your nursing bag.


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Written by Journi Gillette

Journi is dedicated to helping businesses amplify their voice and place within their markets, and has years of experience providing value to intended audiences through content writing.

Read more from Journi

How to Become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 3 Steps

Nov 10 2022

The nursing profession is filled with passionate individuals who understand the importance of compassion and empathy for their patients. Psychiatric nurse practitioners work with a vulnerable population that requires extra patience and kind-heartedness.

Psychiatric nurse practitioners are nurse practitioners (NPs) who specialize in mental health conditions. They help patients suffering from mental disorders and illnesses and can treat individuals with substance abuse problems.

In this article, you can discover:

  • What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?
  • What do psychiatric nurse practitioners do?
  • Where do psychiatric nurse practitioners work?
  • What are closely related fields?
  • How do you become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 3 steps?
  • What are additional requirements of psychiatric nurse practitioners?
  • What are the salary and career outlooks for psychiatric nurse practitioners?

What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

There are more than 355,000 nurse practitioners in the U.S. Of that number, 4.7% are psychiatric nurse practitioners. They typically work with patients that suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or substance abuse disorders. 

In many states, they can prescribe medications and work independently. 

Qualities of a successful psychiatric nurse practitioner

Compassion and empathy are key characteristics of a successful psychiatric nurse practitioner. Your patients may be suffering from mental illness or recovering from substance abuse and require an extra gentle touch.

Other qualities of a successful psychiatric nurse practitioner include:

  • Solid problem-solving abilities to help you identify key risk factors that can affect patient outcomes.
  • Strong analytical skills for looking at patient research to allow you to design treatment plans for patients.

What do psychiatric nurse practitioners do?

A psychiatric nurse practitioner has many duties throughout the day. Their role is a hybrid between a psychiatric nurse and a nurse practitioner. 

Daily duties can vary depending on where you work.

A day in the life of a psychiatric nurse practitioner

A typical day in the life of a psychiatric nurse practitioner can include some of the following duties:

  • Diagnosing and treating severe psychiatric issues, illnesses, and crises
  • Providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy 
  • Counseling patients with psychiatric problems
  • Collaborating with other treatment providers to help individuals with complex psychiatric issues
  • Gauging health care problems and referring to a medical specialist if necessary
  • Educating patients on self-care practices

NURSE TIP

jami
"Not sure if a psychiatric nurse practitioner is the right role for you? Join Incredible Health's Nurse Community for input from RNs of all specialties."
-Jami, RN & nurse advocate @Incredible Health


Common conditions treated by psychiatric nurse practitioners

Psychiatric nurses deal with mental illnesses and conditions, plus substance abuse issues. Some of the most common psychiatric conditions you may encounter in this role include:

  • Addiction
  • Anxiety
  • Autism
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Panic disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Schizophrenia
  • Trauma

Where do psychiatric nurse practitioners work?

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners work in many settings. Some of these include: 

  • Outpatient clinics
  • Inpatient facilities
  • Private mental health practices
  • Hospitals 
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Trauma centers
  • Prisons 

There are also telehealth options available for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) to hold meetings with clients digitally. These types of appointments allow PMHNPs greater flexibility. This type of patient outreach has become much more common.

What are closely related fields?

One of the most closely related fields to psychiatric nurse practitioner is that of case management nurse. Sometimes called Medical and Health Services Managers, these nursing professionals coordinate, direct, and plan business activities for mental healthcare providers.

Case management nurses can work in healthcare facilities like hospitals and nursing homes, or group medical practices focused on mental health.

How do you become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in 3 steps?

There are 3 steps you must take before you can begin working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. You must hold a specific type of nursing license and pursue the right nursing degree as part of the process.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

You must have an active RN license to become a psychiatric NP. There are two steps to take before you can earn your RN licensure.

First, you must earn a nursing degree. Then, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

Earn a degree

To become an RN, you can earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

The associate’s degree takes 18-24 months at a community college to complete. A bachelor’s degree generally takes four years at a college or university to complete when attending full-time. 

If you’re already an RN with an associate’s degree who wants to pursue your BSN, you have options. You can enroll in a RN-to-BSN program to fast-track your advanced education.

Completing your ADN or BSN helps you become an RN. But if you want to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need additional education.

All psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners must earn at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. If you have already completed a BSN, you can apply directly to an MSN program.

If you only have an ADN, you will need to apply for an RN-to-MSN bridge program. With this program, you have an opportunity to obtain a BSN while earning an MSN, simultaneously. There is also a BSN-to-MSN path. 

Pass the NCLEX exam

Once you complete your nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed RN. The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test. Questions are selected based on your ability. The more correct answers you give, the more difficult subsequent test questions become.

If you fail the NCLEX on your first attempt, you can retake it after a 45-day waiting period.

Step 2: Accumulate experience

Once you become a registered nurse, pursue opportunities to gain experience within the mental health field. You can choose from a variety of settings where mental health services are provided. These can include hospitals and private mental health facilities.

You may need to gain experience before you can apply for your MSN degree. Most, but not all graduate programs require you to have psychiatric experience before you can apply.

Helpful skills and experience

Some RN positions are more beneficial than others for preparing you for your role as a psychiatric NP.

You can work as a psychiatric nurse and gain experience working with patients who have a mental illness. This can help you determine whether working with these kinds of patients is a good fit for your skills and abilities.

Changing specialty to a psychiatric nurse practitioner

If you’re working as an RN and want to try something new, you can change your specialty to psychiatric nurse practitioner. Making the switch requires you to hold an advanced nursing degree like an MSN or a DNP.

You also must take continuing education courses focused on mental health nursing to prepare you for your new role and make sure you have all relevant certifications.


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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

After graduating, you must pass the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP-BC). 

The eligibility requirements for the certification include: 

  • Hold an active R.N. license in the U.S.
  • Master’s degree or higher from a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program with at least 500 accredited clinical hours
  • Three graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
  • Clinical training in at least two psychotherapeutic modalities
  • Content in health promotion/maintenance
  • Content in differential diagnosis and disease management

What are additional requirements of psychiatric nurse practitioners?

Once you pass the exam, you need to send your results and transcripts to your state board of nursing to receive a psychiatric nurse practitioner license. Click for more license resources.

In states where nurse practitioners have prescriptive authority, psychiatric NPs must apply for a prescriptive authority license to prescribe medicine. Other states require psychiatric NPs to work under a supervisor to prescribe medicine. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for psychiatric nurse practitioners?

Psychiatric nurse practitioners’ earnings depend on a variety of factors like experience, education, and location.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the annual average wage for nurse practitioners is $118,040. Some states pay higher wages for the most experienced psychiatric NPs.

Demand for all NP specialties is expected to increase by 40% from 2021 to 2031. An additional 118,600 NPs are needed in the U.S. to meet the need over the next decade.


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Job satisfaction

U.S. News & World Report lists nurse practitioner as the number one best health care job in its Best Jobs report. NPs have above average opportunities for upward mobility in nursing, making it one of the most desirable positions.

Next steps

As a psychiatric NP, you have plenty of opportunity for advancement in your nursing career. To advance your career even further, you can obtain a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. There are several bridge programs to choose from:

  • BSN-to-DNP
  • RN-to-DNP
  • MSN-to-DNP

DNPs have in-depth scientific expertise that can be used to improve patient outcomes at mental health service providers. You’ll also have greater autonomy as a DNP and can help fill the gap due to the shortage of mental health physicians. 

Not sure what is the best route to take to climb the nursing ladder? You can chat with experienced nursing professionals who can help guide you through the process.

FAQs

What is a psychiatric nurse practitioner?

Psychiatric NPs are registered nurses (RNs) who have additional training in mental health.

How much does a psychiatric nurse practitioner make?

Psychiatric NPs make an average annual salary of $118,040. Some states pay higher wages for NPs with more experience.

How do you become a psychiatric NP?

First, you must become an RN. Then, you must pursue an advanced nursing degree like an MSN or DNP, and earn specialty certification. 

Top Advanced Practice Nurse Jobs on Incredible Health

  • 🏥 Clinical Nurse Specialist

    Santa Clara, CA | $115,000 to $145,000 /year

  • 🏥 Clinical Nurse Specialist

    Baldwin Park, CA | $115,000 to $145,000 /year

  • 🏥 Nurse Practitioner

    Groton, CT | $64,000 to $145,000 /year

  • 🏥 Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

    Boston, MA | $77,000 to $161,000 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse First Assistant

    DeKalb, IL | $65,000 to $100,000 /year


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Sources
  • Medical and Health Services Managers. bls.gov. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • Mental disorders. who.int. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. samhsa.gov. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • NP Fact Sheet. aanp.org. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. bls.gov. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification (PMHNP-BC™). nursingworld.org. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • What is the Test Plan? nclex.com. Accessed November 9, 2022.
Written by Incredible Health Staff

At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

Read more from Incredible Health
Reviewed by Erica Loor, RN

Erica has a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is currently in grad school pursuing her master’s degree as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Read more from Erica

Guide to Becoming a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

Nov 10 2022

Nurse Types / CRNA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide critical care to patients in their hour of need. They administer anesthesia before and during medical procedures while ensuring the comfort and safety of their patients. Given the delicate nature of their work, CRNAs must have extensive education and experience.  

Most CRNAs work independently and have the highest earning potential among advanced practice registered nurses (ARPNs).

If you’re interested in being a nurse anesthetist and looking to learn about education requirements, duties, certification, licensing, and advancement opportunities, this guide is for you.

In this article we discuss:

  • What is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?
  • What do CRNAs do?
  • Where do CRNAs work?
  • What are closely related fields?
  • How do you become a nurse anesthetist in 3 steps?
  • What are additional requirements of CRNAs?
  • What are the salary and career outlooks for nurse anesthetists?

What is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?

A CRNA is an advanced practice registered nurse trained and certified to administer anesthesia before and during medical operations, such as surgery, emergency care, pain management, or labor and delivery. A nurse anesthetist provides similar services as an anesthesiologist; however, the latter may provide a collaborative oversight to ensure patients’ best practices. 

According to AANA (the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists), most hands-on anesthesia care in the U.S. is provided by CRNAs. 

Qualities of a successful CRNA

CRNAs must be compassionate to help ease patient fears about going under anesthesia. They also must think quickly on their feet to solve real-time problems once patients are anesthetized.

Other qualities of a successful CRNA include:

  • Calm under pressure
  • Respectful
  • Strong communicator

What do CRNAs do?

As a CRNA, you are responsible for numerous tasks, including prepping patients who may need anesthesia, caring for patients already anesthetized, monitoring vital signs, managing ventilators, and administering medications.

CRNAs can also be tasked with administrative duties, including managing finances, ordering medications, and training new staff. They may hold positions with state nursing boards, act as instructors in course development, or be part of organizations that set medical standards.

Bottom line, a nurse anesthetist works in varied and exciting settings. They go home knowing they’ve advocated, cared for, and helped patients live to their fullest.

A day in the life of a CRNA

Your day-to-day routines can vary depending on where you work and the patients you’ll be responsible for during your shift. Some of the most common duties and responsibilities of CRNAs include:

  • Setting up surgical rooms for operation
  • Organizing required medications
  • Examining patients’ medical history and requesting diagnostic studies
  • Developing anesthetic plans
  • Discussing any risks and side effects with the patient and their families
  • Prepping and administering anesthesia
  • Performing epidural, spinal, or nerve blocks
  • Offering patient care before, during, and after medical procedures
  • Monitoring vital signs during and after medical procedures to avert and manage complications
  • Responding to emergencies with life support techniques, medications, or airway management
  • Participating in therapeutic or diagnostic procedures
  • Diagnosing and delivering chronic or acute pain management

NURSE TIP

jami
"Not sure if a CRNA is the right role for you? Join Incredible Health's Nurse Community for input from RNs of all specialties."
-Jami, RN & nurse advocate @Incredible Health


Where do CRNAs work?

A report from the Association of America Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects that the nation will face a shortage of 54,100 – 139,000 physicians by 2033.

With such deficits, the demand for CRNAs will keep increasing across the United States. Thus, a CRNA is needed in different healthcare environments, including:

  • Medical and surgical hospitals
  • Outpatient surgery care centers
  • Dental offices
  • Plastic surgery centers
  • Pain management centers
  • Public health centers, and other medical offices
  • United States military facilities

What are closely related fields?

There are many healthcare careers in anesthesia you can explore if becoming a CRNA isn’t your preference. One of the most common is an anesthesia technician (AT). ATs support anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists with their duties.

Most anesthesia technicians hold an associate’s degree and must be certified to work in the field.

How do you become a nurse anesthetist in 3 steps?

CRNAs are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in anesthesia. You must complete the correct level of nursing education and then pass the NCLEX exam to earn your RN license. Follow these three steps to get started on your journey to becoming a CRNA.

Step 1- Become a registered nurse (RN)

To become an RN, you must first earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is the education level needed to earn your RN license. However, to work as a CRNA, you must pursue an advanced degree.

Earn a degree

Currently, you need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and national certification to become a CRNA. However, this is will change in 2025 when a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will be the prerequisite to joining the field.

Before you can apply to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, you must complete your BSN.

The recent directives by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia (COACRNA) Educational Programs now require all nurse anesthesia degree programs to include doctoral degrees. They will also need all the students pursuing nurse anesthesia’s MSN programs at the time to transition to doctoral programs.

There are bridge programs to help you advance your degree with less time spent in school:

  • RN-to-MSN
  • BSN-to-MSN
  • BSN-to-DNP
  • MSN-to-DNP

Pass the NCLEX exam

Passing the NCLEX exam is the final step to becoming a registered nurse. The test evaluates whether you’re ready to work as an entry-level RN.

Test questions are designed using Computerized Adaptive Testing methods. For every question you answer correctly, subsequent questions become more difficult.

If you fail the test on your first attempt, you can try again after a 45-day waiting period.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

After you have your RN licensure, gaining at least one year of experience in an emergency room or intensive care unit is required before you can become certified.

Helpful skills and experience

Since most anesthesia is administered to patients undergoing surgeries and other medical procedures in hospitals and other specialty medical centers, working as an RN in these environments is best suited to building your experience level.

CRNAs must have keen observation skills and think quickly on their feet if patients experience complications from anesthesia.

Changing specialty to a CRNA

Going from an RN to a CRNA is a logical step on the nursing career ladder. If you decide you want to change your nursing specialty from RN to CRNA, you must first have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

From there, you’ll need to pursue your master’s or doctoral degree to qualify for CRNA certification.


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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

After graduating from an MSN program, you must pass your NCE (National Certification Examination) offered by the NBCRNA (National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists).

NCE test comprises 100–170 computerized questions across various topics, including 30 random questions. The cost is $725.  

To obtain the certification, you should apply for the NCE exam, pay the fee, provide appropriate documentation to NBCRNA, and then schedule to take the examinations at your testing center.

Note, you have a total of 3 hours to complete the NCE exam. Questions relate to:

  • 25% of basic sciences
  • 15% of equipment, technology, and instrumentation
  • 30% of the basic principles of anesthesia
  • 30% of the advanced tenets of anesthesia

According to NBCRNA reports, 84% of graduates pass the NCE exam on their first try, after which, they can recertify through the CPC (Continued Professional Certification) program every four years.

If you pass, your certification’s verification is sent to your state board of nursing where you’ll complete additional steps as needed to become a state-licensed CRNA.

All states (except Pennsylvania and New York) require CRNAs to be licensed as APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses).

To qualify for the state licensure, you must provide a completed application, associated fee, and proof of CRNA certification and program completion to your state board of nursing. Based on the state requirements, you may submit your physician supervision form and apply for prescription authority.

What are additional requirements of CRNAs?

To maintain designations, CRNAs must renew their national certification via NBCRNA every 2 or 4 years. To qualify for renewal, you must:

  • Complete 40+ continuing education credits
  • Hold a current, unencumbered RN license
  • Prove you have engaged in anesthesia during the certification period
  • Verify you don’t have physical, mental, and other problems that could interfere with anesthesia practices

Within 2 years, the nurse anesthetist must complete an online check-in to maintain their state license.

Within 4 years, you must complete:

  • 60 Class A credits on tasks directly linked to improvement or delivery of anesthesia care
  • 40 Class B credits on activities related to anesthesia practice or professional development subjects, such as research, public education, and patient safety
  • Four core modules: Physiology, applied clinical pharmacology, airway management, pathophysiology, and anesthesia technology and equipment

At the end of 8 years, you must take a CPC test comprising 150 questions, designed to test knowledge in the four core modules of CRNA practices.

What are the salary and career outlooks for nurse anesthetists?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CRNA’s earn an average of $205,770 per year. The career is also projected to grow in demand by 40% from 2021 to 2031. 

Salary depends on location, the type of facility in which you work, your experience, and education. Nurse anesthetists have a relatively higher earning potential in the nursing arena compared to APRNs in other specialties.


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Job satisfaction

An overwhelming majority – 84% – of CRNAs said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their current positions, according to an AANA survey. CNRAs who practiced independently had the highest level of job satisfaction.

Next steps

CRNAs have several options for advancing their nursing careers. With a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, you can become a clinical or didactic educator or a program director.

You also can pursue specialty certifications as a CRNA, which requires taking continuing education courses and obtaining certifications to demonstrate competence in your area of expertise.

Not sure which direction to take your career? You can chat with experienced CRNAs to ask questions about your options.

FAQs

What is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?

A CRNA is an advanced practice registered nurse trained and certified to administer anesthesia before medical operations, such as surgery, emergency care, pain management, or labor and delivery.

How much money does a CRNA make?

CRNAs make about $205,770 per year.

What do CRNAs do?

They are responsible for numerous tasks, including prepping patients who may need anesthesia, caring for patients already anesthetized, monitoring vital signs, managing ventilators, and administering medications.


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Sources
  • Become a CRNA. aana.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • Behind the Lens: A History in Pictures. pbs.org. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). nclex.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • NBCRNA Certification. nbcrna.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • New AAMC Report Confirms Growing Physician Shortage. aamc.org. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • Occupational Employment and Wages, Nurse Anesthetists. bls.gov. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • Surgical Assistants and Technologists. bls.gov. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  • Work patterns, socio-demographic characteristics, and job satisfaction of the CRNA workforce – Findings from the 2019 AANA survey of CRNAs. sciencedirect.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
Written by Incredible Health Staff

At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

Read more from Incredible Health
Reviewed by Rebecca Brown, RN

Rebecca Brown is a Talent Advocate with Incredible Health. She is a Registered Nurse, BSN CNOR with experience in Pediatric ICU/ ER and Perioperative Services. Originally born and raised in Kansas City, MO, she now resides in Denver, CO with her husband, two dogs, and a horse named Moose! Other than helping nurses find and do their best work, she enjoys traveling the world, horseback riding, and hiking.

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What is Private Duty Nursing?

Nov 09 2022

Nurse Types / Private Duty Nursing

Private duty nursing can be a lucrative option if you want to provide healthcare to patients outside the traditional healthcare setting.

In this nursing role, you provide long-term nursing care to patients. The patients you serve are those who need the extra assistance but prefer to live at home instead of in skilled nursing care facilities.

Patients (and their families) prefer receiving quality care in the comfort of their homes. You can work a few hours a day or 24-hours a day. Some private duty nurses may even live with their patients full-time.

In this article we discuss:

  • What is a private duty nurse?
  • What do private duty nurses do?
  • Where do private duty nurses work?
  • What are specific types of private duty nurses?
  • How do you become a private duty nurse in 3 steps?
  • What are additional requirements of private duty nurses?
  • What are the salary and career outlooks for private duty nurses?
  • FAQs

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What is a private duty nurse?

A private duty nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works with patients and their families in a non-traditional healthcare setting. Most private duty nurses work in the patient’s home and service one client at a time. They can be self-employed or work part-time or full-time for a home healthcare agency.

When you work in private duty nursing, you can help patients of all age groups or specialize in a specific health condition. The possibilities are endless, making it a versatile nursing career option.

Qualities of a successful private duty nurse

Successful private duty nurses must have excellent attention to detail above all else. Monitoring your patient’s mood and other signs can alert you to medical changes that require additional care.

Other qualities of a successful private duty nurse include:

  • Compassion. All nurses must be compassionate and empathetic toward their patients. However, when you work in private duty nursing, you’re the patient’s primary caregiver. Showing compassion builds a strong bond with your patient.
  •  Patience. When people are unwell, they can be unpleasant at times. They also can get upset at their inability to perform basic tasks, making them lash out at you, their caregiver. Private duty nurses must maintain their composure and remain patient to deliver the best care.

What do private duty nurses do?

Private duty nurses provide one-on-one care tailored to a patient’s unique healthcare conditions and treatment plans.  They may work with children who have congenital conditions or elderly patients requiring continuous care.

Some of their common duties include:

  • Administering medications
  • Assessing changes in the medical status of patients
  • Completing patient care documentation
  • Creating treatment plans
  • Managing chronic illnesses
  • Providing hospice care

A day in the life of a private duty nurse

A day in the life of a private duty nurse depends on the patient and their individual needs. If you’re providing your nursing expertise to a chronically ill patient, it can require knowledge of medical devices and prescription medications used to control their condition.

In addition to the list of common duties, you also may attend doctor’s appointments and other outings with your patients to provide ongoing medical support.

Common conditions treated by private duty nurses

In private duty nursing, you may encounter a variety of conditions and illnesses that require your support. Some of the most common medical conditions that warrant a private duty nurse include:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Congenital disease
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)  

In this nursing role, you might use clinical interventions like G tubes, tracheostomies, and ventilators.

Where do private duty nurses work?

Unlike their nursing counterparts, private duty nurses work in their patients’ homes. In private nursing duty, you also might be contracted to work with patients in hospitals and assisted living facilities.

Regardless of where you work as a private duty nurse, you must maintain standards of service and stay within your nursing scope of practice.

What are specific types of private duty nurses?

Private duty nursing covers the age spectrum and includes home health services for patients with a variety of health conditions. Whether you choose to work part-time or full-time as a private duty nurse, you can opt to specialize in the following types of private duty nursing.

  • Chronic health. You can provide personal care for patients with congenital birth defects and other chronic health conditions that require constant medical intervention.
  • Gerontology. Private duty nurses in this specialty focus on providing care for elderly patients with a variety of health conditions.
  • Hospice. In this private duty nursing role, you provide end-of-life services to patients with terminal conditions.
  • Pediatrics. You can choose to work specifically with homebound children who have temporary or permanent health conditions that require home healthcare services.

Closely related fields

If you want to provide care to homebound adults and children but don’t want to pursue your RN licensure, you can consider work as a home health aide.

Home health aides, sometimes called personal care aides, monitor the conditions of adults and children with chronic conditions or disabilities. They require a high school diploma and completion of a postsecondary non-degree program to train for their work.

How do you become a private duty nurse in 3 steps?

Becoming a private duty nurse takes a few years to complete the required education and obtain the right credentials. Following these three steps can get you started on your new career as a private duty nurse.  

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse (RN)

You must become a registered nurse to work as a private duty nurse. Becoming an RN requires either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. You also must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

Earn a degree

Earning the right degree can help fast-track your private duty nursing career. Most nursing professionals go for the bachelor’s degree because it provides them with additional training beyond the standard associate’s degree.

If you’re already a practicing RN with an ADN, you can go through an RN-to-BSN to continue working while you earn your bachelor’s degree.

It takes four years to earn a BSN if you’re starting from scratch. If you already have an ADN, it can take as little as 18 months to get your BSN.

Pass the NCLEX exam

Regardless of whether you have an ADN or a BSN, you must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam before you can work in private duty nursing.

The NCLEX tests your comprehensive knowledge of the nursing skills you learn in an ADN or BSN program. You must complete a minimum of 75 questions correctly to pass. If you fail on your first attempt, you can retake the NCLEX in 45 days.


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Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Most employers prefer RNs with at least two years of bedside experience before hiring them for private duty nursing roles. Private duty nurses can work as independent contractors, meaning they’re self-employed. However, you’ll still need to have adequate experience to be prepared.

Helpful skills and experience

In addition to working bedside as an RN for at least two years, some of the other helpful skills you need to be effective at private duty nursing include:

  • Communication. You must clearly explain to your patient and their families treatment plans and any other relevant healthcare information.
  • Confidence. You must have self-confidence to catch signs and symptoms that your patient is in medical distress requiring immediate medical attention beyond what you can provide.
  • Critical thinking. You might need to think quick on your feet when providing home health services to patients with chronic or serious medical conditions.

Changing specialty to a private duty nurse

One of the most popular switches between nursing specialties is from medical-surgical nursing to private duty nursing. Private duty nurses often need to know how to operate medical devices that assist their home healthcare patients. They gain some of that experience working in a medical-surgical role.

You may require some additional training before you officially make the switch. Look for Incredible Health’s free continuing education classes that focus on the skills needed for your new nursing career.

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

There are no specific certifications for private duty nurses. However, you can obtain other certifications that may make you a more desirable candidate for home health agencies hiring nursing staff.

Some of the most popular certifications for private duty nursing are:

  • Advanced Life Support (ALS) Certification from the American Red Cross.
  • Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) from the American Red Cross.
  • Private Duty Home Care from National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).

What are additional requirements of private duty nurses?

Like all nursing professionals, you must keep your nursing license and any certifications or other professional credentials current.

RN licenses must be renewed as well. Depending on your state of practice, you may need to renew every year or every four years. Check with your state board of licensing to verify how often you must renew your RN license. 

Certifications can range between 2 and 5 years for recertification, depending on the type of certification.

What are the salary and career outlooks for private duty nurses?

Education, experience, and location dictate how much private duty nurses make. Private duty nurses make $55,518 per year on average, or $26.69 per hour.

Like all nursing professionals, the demand for private duty nurses remains high. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics expects job growth of 6% between 2021 and 2031.

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction among private duty nurses tends to be high because of the flexibility of their jobs. Private duty nursing jobs also are lower-stress positions than some other RN jobs. 

Other factors that can influence whether private duty nurses enjoy their work includes the behavior of their patients and the job autonomy.

Next steps

Private duty nurses can advance their careers by continuing their education. You can opt for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each degree program has its advantages. You can use an MSN to pursue leadership roles within nursing, or a DNP to gain more autonomy in your practice. If you have questions about becoming a private duty nurse, you can talk with other experienced nurses to gain insight.

FAQs

What is a private duty nurse?

A private duty nurse works with patients in their homes and provides patient’s basic, daily needs and help with chronic health problems.

What does a private nurse do?

A private duty nurse provides many vital services to their clients. Some of these include managing chronic illnesses, administering medications, creating treatment plans, and caring for hospice patients.

How much to private duty nurses make?

Private duty nurses make $55,518 per year on average, or $26.69 per hour.

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    Kenner, LA | $56,000 to $88,000 /year

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    Cortlandt Manor, NY | $73,450 to $127,500 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse – PCU / Stepdown

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    Willoughby, OH | $61,790 to $98,160 /year

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Sources
  • Advanced Life Support (ALS) Certification. redcross.org. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • Congenital. genome.gov. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • Home Health and Personal Care Aides. bls.gov. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • NAHC Private Duty Home Care Certification. nahc.org. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • Private Duty Nurse Salary. zippia.com. Accessed November 9, 2022.
  • Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training. redcross.org. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • Registered Nurses. bls.gov. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • Traumatic brain injury. mayoclinic.org. Accessed October 19, 2022.
  • What is ALS? als.org. Accessed October 19, 2022.
Written by Incredible Health Staff

At Incredible Health, it's a team effort to achieve our vision: Help healthcare professionals live better lives. Many are licensed practitioners themselves; others are simply passionate writers and leaders dedicated to providing valuable resources to nurses.

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Average Salary for BSN Nurses

Nov 08 2022

Nurse Salaries / BSN Salary

A BSN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing, is a registered nurse (RN) who is professionally trained and provides nursing care in various clinical settings. These settings include hospitals, doctor’s offices, and schools. RNs deliver care to patients across the lifespan, from infancy to geriatrics, in an assortment of areas, including the emergency department, intensive care unit, medical-surgical areas, and clinics. 

BSN Salary Overview

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, BSN-trained nurses earn $82,750 annually. Remember, salaries will vary depending on your state of employment, experience, and the position or specialty in which you work. The workforce of registered nurses is anticipated to increase from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million by the year 2031. 

Registered nurses can be employed in numerous areas of the healthcare industry. Although there are many fields nurses can find work, the top five nursing areas with the highest salaries are listed below. 

  1. Dermatology Nurse Practitioner $103,614
  2. Cardiac Cath Lab Nurse   $96,361
  3. Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse $90,523
  4. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Nurse $95,080
  5. Operating Room (OR) / Surgical Nurse $93,458

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BSN Salaries by State

Salaries for registered nurses can vary depending on the state you reside. When reviewing salaries, you’ll also want to consider your area’s cost of living, as this can impact how much you are paid annually. The top 5 states with the highest nursing salaries include the following: 

StateSalaryCOL Adjusted SalaryLocal Estimates
California$124,000$106,529Get Local Estimate
Hawaii$106,530$89,296Get Local Estimate
Oregon$98,630$96,131Get Local Estimate
Alaska$97,230$92,512Get Local Estimate
Massachusetts$96,630$87,527Get Local Estimate

Not only are there certain states paying considerably high salaries for nurses, but there are also many cities offering high nursing salaries. Similar to states, make sure to consider the city’s average cost of living compared to the salary offered. California boasts of having the top 5 cities with the highest nursing salaries. 

Top 5 highest-paying cities for Registered Nurses, adjusted for cost of living:

RankCity / Metro AreaAvg RN Salary (COL Adjusted)Personalized Estimates
1San Jose-Sunnyvale, CA$138,475Get Custom Estimate
2Vallejo-Fairfield, CA$135,018Get Custom Estimate
3Hanford-Corcoran, CA$129,854Get Custom Estimate
4San Francisco-Oakland, CA$129,165Get Custom Estimate
5Santa Rosa, CA$128,816Get Custom Estimate
Sources
  • Nursing Shortage. www.aacnnursing.org. Accessed October 21, 2022. 
  • Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021. www.bls.gov/. Accessed October 20, 2022.
  • Image from Canva.com

Top RN jobs on Incredible Health

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse

    Chicago, IL | $65,000 to $100,000 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse – CVICU

    Whittier, CA | $71,000 to $141,000 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse – Neurology

    Douglasville, GA | $60,000 to $100,000 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse – Obstetric / Labor & Delivery

    Winfield, IL | $65,000 to $100,000 /year

  • 🏥 Registered Nurse – Operating Room / Surgical

    Philadelphia, PA | $49,900 to $105,000 /year

Written by Jasmine Jarrett, MBA, BSN, RN

Jasmine Reece is a healthcare writer who enjoys creating informative articles for her fellow nurses. Jasmine has been a registered nurse for over a decade, specializing in critical care, emergency room nursing, medical device education, and the healthcare supply chain. She’s written for several nursing blogs and healthcare websites. Jasmine received her BSN degree from Cumberland University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Ohio University. She enjoys reading, cooking, and cuddling with her Shih Tzu Milo in her spare time.

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