How to Become a Home Health Care Nurse

Home Care Information on Nursing and care overview

Home care allows the patient and family to maintain dignity and independence . According to the National Association for Home Care , there are more than 7 million people in the U.S. who need home health care in case of illness , health problems in the long term, permanent disability or terminal illness.

Home Health Care Basics

Practice nurses in several places: hospitals, nursing homes , independent living centers and home health care . Nursing home care is a growing phenomenon in more patients and their families want to receive care in their homes. The history of health care in nursing homes due to public health where public health nurses make home visits to promote health education and provide treatment as part of awareness programs the community. Today academic programs train nurses in home care nurses and agencies place home health care with patients and their families, according to the experience and qualifications of the nurse. In many cases , there is a shared relationship between the agency and the school.

Many changes have taken place in the field of health care at home. These include Medicare and Medicaid, and a repayment period of long-term care insurance and documentation . It is important for nurses and nursing agency to be aware of the many factors involved in these regulations resulting from these organizations. Population trends and demographic occur well . Baby boomers nearing retirement and will present new challenges for the health care industry at home. Technology and health care in hospitals has led to a shorter hospital stay and recovery at home. The increase in medical outpatient procedures are also underway with follow-up care at home. This has reduced the mortality rate of these technologies and medical care has led to an increase in morbidity and chronic illness that makes the need for home health care nursing a greater priority.

Home Care Nurse Job Description

Through a series of skills and experience, nurses in expertise of health care at home in a wide range of care , emotional support , education for patients recovering from illness and injury in young children and adults , women who have recently given birth , the elderly who need palliative care for chronic diseases.

A nurse practitioner must have the skills necessary to provide care in an environment like someone's home . The nurse works with the patient and his family, and should include communication skills dynamic . Report is evident in all nursing positions , but working in the living space of a patient needs a different level of skill and understanding. Not what the nurse does not work as a team with other nurses in an autonomous decision of the structured environment , but now as a member of the "family" team. The family has cultural values ​​that are important and are different for each patient and should be treated with extreme sensitivity . Other skills include critical thinking, coordination, assessment, communication and documentation.

Nursing home care health also specialize in the care of disabled children who need additional skills such as patience and understanding of the needs of the family . Children with disabilities today that would have resulted in mortality just twenty years ago . Genetic disorders , congenital physical disabilities and injuries are just a few. Many families are familiar with the management needs of the child , but still need specialized care that only a nursing home can provide. It is important that the nurse health care at home is aware of the experience of the family on the state of child care for the child . There are a lot of complexity, but more importantly, a positive attitude and positive reinforcement is essential for the development of the child.

Coordination between nursing home care drugs , the doctor and pharmacist , ensures proper management of the exact science behind giving the patient the correct dose, time of administration and combinations . Nursing home care health should be familiar with pharmacology and taught in training about different medications used by patients in clinical practice .

Many advanced nurse practitioners are familiar with medication regiments . They attended graduate programs . Agencies believe that a health care nurse must have at least one year of clinical experience before entering the health care home . Nurses experienced practitioners can accelerate training by helping new nurses understand the market for home health care and education .

Employment and wages

According to the Department of Labor of the United States , there were 2.4 million nurses in the United States , land of great health , however, many academic and hospital organizations believe there is a serious shortage of staff nurse. The shortage of nurses was 6 % in 2000 and should be 10 % in 2010. The average salary for nurses in the hospital is $ 53.450 , with 3 of 5 nursing jobs are in the hospital . Health care at home, the salary is $ 49,000 . For nursing , which were the lowest $ 48.200 .

Training and Continuing Education

Most nursing home care they receive health education in schools accredited nursing at the national level with an associate degree in nursing ( ADN) , a Bachelor of Science in Nursing ( BSN ) or a master's degree in nursing (MSN) . According to the Department of Labor of the United States , there were 2004 674 BSN nursing programs , 846 ADN programs . Also, in 2004 , there were 417 master's programs , 93 doctoral programs and 46 joined BSN- doctoral students. The associate degree program takes about 2-3 years to complete, while singles have four years to complete . Nurses can also get professional certificates online in geriatric care or care planning for life.

In addition, for nurses who choose to pursue progress in administrative positions or research , consulting and education , a degree is often required . A bachelor's degree is also important to become a clinical nurse specialist , nurse anesthetists , midwives and nurses ( Department of Labor, 2004 U.S. ) .

All home care nurses have the clinical experience of health supervision during their training, but the advanced nurse practitioners as indicated above have masters degrees and unlike bachelor and associate degrees , a minimum of two years post- clinical experience . The course includes anatomy, physiology, chemistry , microbiology , nutrition , psychology and behavioral sciences and liberal arts. Many of these programs have training in the nursing home , the services of public health, home health agencies and outpatient clinics . (U.S. Department of Labor , 2004).

If a nurse is training in a hospital , nursing home or home care , continuing education is required. Health care is changing to keep up with the latest developments enhances patient care and health procedures . Universities, training programs and Internet sites all offer training. Such an organization that provides continuing education is the American Nurses Association (ANA ) or Nurses Center ( ANCC ) .

concluded

There are many rewards to become a nurse in home health care . Some rewards include the relationship with the patient and his family , autonomy , independence and participation in critical thinking. The 21st century offers a lot of opportunities and challenges. We face these challenges - there is an aging population of baby boomers, a factor increasing morbidity due to increased medical technology and patient care , and the growing nursing shortage .

Becoming a nurse in the home health care today is exciting and an opportunity to make a difference one life at a time. With clinical experience and good education, nursing care home health will lead the future of health care.