How to Become a Home Health Nurse
Given the growing population of older adults, more and more older people are looking for affordable healthcare options that allow them to remain as independent as possible. By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 years or older. A home health nurse can help fill this gap for many patients.
The majority of home health services do go to older adults, while some home health nurses help with children and people with mental illnesses as well.
Home health nurses assist to meet the needs of patients with personalized, quality care.
In this article, we will explore:
- What is a home health nurse?
- What is the job description for a home health nurse?
- Where do home health nurses work?
- What are specific types of home health nurses?
- How do you become a home health nurse?
- What are the requiremements to becoming a home health nurse?
- What makes a good home health nurse?
- What are the salary and job outlooks for home health care nurses?
What is a home health nurse?
A home health nurse provides home-based care for patients of all ages. The keyword is home. They help patients who need care within their own houses. This can include the elderly, disabled, or terminally ill. Additionally, a home health nurse can provide services for people who are recovering from an accident or have a disease like diabetes.
What is the job description of a home health nurse?
In general, a home health nurse will provide follow-up treatment after a patient is discharged from the hospital or another healthcare facility.
Specific requirements include:
- Going to patients’ homes and managing treatment plans based on a physician’s instructions
- Administering medication
- Checking wounds, changing dressings, and handling personal grooming and hygiene
- Documenting symptoms and vital signs
- Updating treatment plans
- Educating patient and family members on wellness strategies
- Detecting early symptoms that could lead to a hospital visit
- Working with doctors and other members of the healthcare team to create plans for patients
The ultimate priority for a home health nurse is to meet the needs of the patient as they would in a medical facility. For this reason, the nurse’s daily job roles will depend on the patient’s needs at the time.
It’s also important to note that the duties of a home health nurse will depend on their credentials. Here is an overview of what a nurse can do for their patients based on the credentials they’ve acquired:
Nursing assistant
A nursing assistant helps patients perform daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and skincare. In the home health care environment, a nursing assistant might do the following:
- Take vital signs
- Report to the supervising registered nurse about any concerns regarding the patient
- Assist with mobility
- Assist with daily living
Licensed practical nurse
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, or disabled. An LPN works under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitioners, and registered nurses. In the home health care environment, a licensed practical nurse might perform the following tasks:
- Administer medication
- Provide wound care and dressing changes
- Take vital signs
- Report to the supervising registered nurse about any concerns regarding the patient
- Assist with mobility
- Assist with daily living
Registered nurse
A registered nurse (RN) is someone who holds at least a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). In addition, RNs have passed the NCLEX-RN exam. The occupational function of a registered nurse can vary. In the home health environment, a registered nurse can perform the following tasks:
- Administer medication
- Take vital signs
- Perform physical assessment
- Draw labs
- Assist with daily living
- Assist with mobility
- Work with a physician to develop a plan of action for the patient
Where do home health nurses work?
As the names suggest, home health nurses primarily work at their patient’s homes. However, some nurses have a central office where they keep their patient’s records and where they perform administrative tasks.
Ultimately, a home health nurse is meant to fill the gap between hospitalization and long-term care facilities and independent living facilities.
Since home health nurses don’t work in medical facilities, they are largely self-directed while on the job. Because of this, it’s important for these nurses to have effective time management skills and to be self-sufficient. In addition, it’s essential that they have strong communication skills as they will interact with the patient’s families to discuss care needs.
What are specific types of home health nurses?
There are various types of nurses who can provide home health care to patients. Here are three types of nurses to consider:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A CNS is usually highly specialized in a particular area of medicine or treatment but is looked at as experts who are qualified for many areas of medicine.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): A CNA helps RNs and LPNs with daily tasks. A CNA will respond to the patient’s immediate needs such as bringing them food and helping with personal hygiene.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): They perform many of the same duties as an RN, but there are limitations. LVNs must also be supervised by RNs. They work in home care seeing patients typically.
How do you become a home health nurse?
Step 1: Get a nursing degree
The first step in becoming a home health nurse is to meet the educational requirements. This means you must complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). You can complete an associate program at a two-year community college. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree will require two years of general education along with two years of upper-division nursing units. There are bridge programs for those who have an ADN. Completing an ADN to BSN bridge program allows a nurse to earn a BSN, which is very attractive to future employers, in less than four years
Step 2: Get licensed
The next step in the process is to become licensed. Nursing graduates must take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Those who pass the exam can become registered nurses through their state of residence.
Step 3: Gain nursing experience
After passing the exam, it’s important to gain experience as a registered nurse. This is because most employers generally look for candidates who have at least one year of experience working as a nurse. To become a more attractive candidate, consider working in critical care environments such as an emergency room, critical care unit, or intensive care unit.
What are other requirements to becoming a home health nurse?
Licensing
There are many paths for individuals looking to become home health nurses. It is possible to earn an LPN degree and work as a home health nurse. However, many home health care agencies look for registered nurses who have an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
A two-year associate degree will focus on nursing skills and clinical care while a four-year degree will focus on clinical training in addition to research, management, and leadership training.
It’s important to note NCLEX-RN exam must be passed and have at least 2 years of experience working in clinical patient care in order to pursue a career in home health nursing. In addition, for those looking to take on leadership roles, it is advised to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). There is a popular bridge program for RNs who want to obtain their master’s degrees which is the RN to MSN program.
Continuing education
Many home health nurses seek continuing education in their careers, and many states require a certain amount of continuing education in order to renew their licenses. Continuing education keeps you up-to-date on the latest advancements in care and treatment and allows nurses to explore other opportunities in the healthcare industry.
[ MORE: Earn your CEUs online, 100% free with Incredible Health. ]
Other certifications and credentials
While there are no certifications specific to a home health care nurse, there are general certifications for nurses that those working in the home health industry could benefit from. Here are 3 common certifications for nurses.
Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN): This certification requires applicants to hold an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. In addition, you will need 1,800 clinical hours completed within the last two years or 3,000 hours of pediatric experience. The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board must approve the application before the nurse can take the exam.
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN): This certification requires nurses to prove their competency in oncology. In addition, nurses will be required to show two years of work experience in the last four years. Applicants will also need 2,000 hours of specialty practice and 10 hours of contact hours of continuing nursing education in oncology.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): This certification allows nurses to administer anesthesia. For this certification, a nurse must earn a master’s degree or higher from a nurse anesthesia program, which must be accredited by the Council of Accreditation. You must also hold a valid registered nurse license to qualify for the test.
What makes a good home health nurse?
Home health nurses need to have a certain skill set to excel in their roles. Some of the traits that a home health nurse should have include:
Integrity: A home health nurse is entrusted with the care of a vulnerable person. They have direct access inside the patient’s home and with their family. It’s crucial they are careful and considerate. The nurse wants the family and patient to trust them as they are allowing the home health care specialist into their homes and are often left alone with their loved ones.
Patience: Every nurse has to have a degree of patience. The home health nurse is no different. In this role, they have to support people who can’t perform a lot of basic duties and work with individuals who are often older and slower moving.
Physical and emotional endurance: Home health nurses may have to spend a good deal of time moving the patient around if they need help getting in and out of bed or out of the bath. Additionally, they need to have a strong sense of emotional endurance. A home health nurse deals with a lot of the emotional duress a patient is under and it is important for these nurses to practice self-care in order to leave the job at the door.
What are the salary and job outlooks for home health nurses?
A home health nurse’s salary depends on their qualifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), home health certified nursing assistants make approximately $30,830 per year. Licensed practical nurses make about $48,820 per year. Registered nurses who provide home health care earn about $75,330 a year.
[More: States with the highest average RN salaries]
Some home healthcare nurses are paid per visit. Individuals paid per visit get paid from private insurance companies or government programs. The first visit typically pays more than subsequent visits.
Due to the growing geriatric population, among others factors, experts anticipate continued job growth of over 36% in the home health sector through 2028 – an increase of more than 300,000 home health jobs. This can be seen through states such as Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and many others.
Conclusion
Working as a home health nurse is a rewarding experience. Home health nurses aren’t just in high demand but these nurses feel a great sense of accomplishment as they provide one-on-one care to their patients right at their homes.
Home health nurses focus on improving the function of their patients and help them live with greater independence. In addition, these nurses will help to improve the overall well-being of their patients and work with them to ensure they can continue to live at home and avoid hospitalization in order to have a better quality of life.
No. Home health nurses do not live in the home with the patient. They make visits to the patients’ houses to provide care and they do visit the patient often.
Home health nursing visits typically last an hour at most.
To become a home health nurse, you need to have at least an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
