How to Become a Home Health Care Nurse

Home Health Care Basicsprograms. Most agencies require that these nurses
Home health care nursing is a growing industry, withhave at least one year of clinical experience prior to
a large number of patients and their families optingworking in home health care. Advanced practicing
for home-based health care. Today there are specificnurses can expedite that training by helping new
academic programs to train nurses in home care.nurses understand the home health care market and
There are also a number of agencies that placeteaching.
home health care nurses in the appropriateEmployment And Salary
environment with ailing individuals and their families.In the United States, according to the Department of
These agencies match criteria such as the nurse'sLabor, there were 2.4 million nurses in America, and
experience and qualifications, the patient's caremany in the medical fraternity believe there is a gross
requirements, budget and the location of the patientshortage in nursing staff. The shortage is expected
and the nurse.to grow to 10% in 2010. The average salaries for
There is a growing need for Home Care Nursesnurses in the US are:
because:*$53,450 for hospital nursing
*Medicare, Medicaid and Long Term Care insurance*$49,000 for home care
reimbursement and documentation have changed*$48,200 for nursing care facilities
treatment methodsTraining And Continuing Education
*Aging baby-boomers are now in large numbersHome health care nurses require:
*Changes in technology and medical care in hospitals*Associate degree in nursing (ADN), takes 2-3 years
have brought about a significant change, with shorterto complete
inpatient stay and more cases of at-home*Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), takes 4
rehabilitation.years to complete. This course allows nurses to
*Increasing medical outpatient procedures, withpursue advancement into administrative positions or
follow-up home careresearch, consulting, and teaching. It is also essential
*Advances in technology and medical care that haveto become a clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist,
decreased mortality rates but increased morbiditynurse midwife, and nurse practitioner (U.S.
and chronic illness.Department of Labor, 2004).
The job of a Home Health Care Nurse calls for an*Master's degree in nursing (MSN), with a minimum of
array of skills and experience. Specializations include atwo years post-clinical experience for advanced
wide range of treatments including emotional support,nursing
educating patients on the road to recovery from*All nurses need to have supervised clinical
illness or injury to women who have experiencedexperience during their training
childbirth. Special care is also needed for ailing childrenNurses can also earn specialized professional
and the elderly who need palliative care for chroniccertificates online in Geriatric Care or Life Care
illnesses.Planning.
A practicing nurse must be able to adjust to theAll nurses, whether they are working at a hospital,
unique home setting of each patient. They mustnursing facility, or in home care, need to have
have good interpersonal skills to deal with the patientcontinuing education. With constant advances in
on the one hand and the patient's family or supportmedicine and the changing face of health care staying
structure on the other. The nurse should beabreast with the latest developments enhances
experienced and confident enough to make quickpatient care and health procedures. Continuing
autonomous decisions, without the support structureeducation is offered by universities, continuing
that is available at a hospital or nursing home.education programs, and internet sites. The American
Children with disabilities, be they genetic, congenital orNurses Association (ANA) or the American Nurses
caused by an injury, present a separate set ofCredentialing Center (ANCC) is a popular avenue for
challenges to a nurse. They require additional skillscontinuing education.
such as patience and understanding of the needs ofThe career of a home health care nurse is rewarding.
the family. Progress in the medical field is not onlyAdvances in medicine and decreasing mortality and
increasing the lifespan of these children, but is alsoincreasing morbidity bring new challenges and
allowing them to live comparatively independent livesopportunities. It provides an opportunity to make a
away from the hospital. In this area, a positivedifference one life at a time. Proper education
attitude and positive reinforcement is of primecombined with clinical experience will make the home
importance for the development of the child.health care nurse an important cog in the wheel of
Experienced nurses are familiar with medicationmedical care of tomorrow.
procedures and have completed graduate level