What is a Home Health Nurse?

We all know the old saying, “Home is where the heart is,” and this couldn’t be truer for home health care nurses. Simply put, home health nurses provide one-on-one care to patients in their homes. The care that a home health nurse provides can vary greatly, and home health nurse responsibilities can also change regularly depending on the patient receiving the care. A day can include everything from administering antibiotics via IV to assisting a patient with their ventilator. 

According to the Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA), a 501(c)(3) organization that supports, promotes, and advocates for the role of mission-driven home-based care providers including home health, hospice, and palliative care, the home health segment of the health care industry is expected to grow more than 70 percent in the next few years—from approximately $80 billion today to $137 billion by 2020. When surveyed, 87 percent of America’s seniors say they want to stay in their own home as they age and would prefer to receive medical care at home when possible.

The popularity of this “aging in place” trend and the growing home health care population will translate into more and more opportunities for home health care nurses. 

Home health nursing encompasses many different skill sets and patient populations. Home health nurses can also include the following specialties:

• Pediatric home health nurse
• Home health travel nurse
• Palliative care nurse
• Hospice nurse

A Day in the Life of a Home Health Nurse: No Two Days are the Same

Many potential home health nurses are wondering: what does a home health nurse do? What does a typical workday look like? 

Home health nurse responsibilities are very broad and involve working independently to care for patients. Home health nurses perform hands-on care and also handle of a lot of paperwork and administrative duties. They will check vital signs, give medications, evaluate the home situation, complete charting and so much more. But each day can be very different, just as every patient is different!

As a home health nurse, you can expect to work independently the majority of your time. Of course, you will interact with your patients and their families, but for the most part, you will be charged with making decisions and administering your care independently. Depending on the care setting or patient acuity, you may occasionally work on a team with another nurse or physician. 

Why Travel as a Home Health Nurse 

Getting started as a home health travel nurse is super easy, thanks to Travelnursing.com. There are SO many perks that come with home health travel nursing. One of our favorite perks is the great pay. Travel nurses can earn up to 15% more than regular staff nurses. And this is in addition to the other benefits that come with a career as a home health travel nurse. 

In addition to getting medical, dental and life insurance, most home health travel nurse positions also offer free housing, reimbursements that you don’t have to pay tax on, and the ability to travel with your family, spouse and/or pets! 

Do you want to learn more about becoming a home health travel nurse? Click here.

Read More About Home Health Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.