Home Health Nursing

Nurses are medical experts who specialize in nursing care for patients in different settings. They work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and a number of other settings. Nurses can opt to specialize in a particular field within nursing and choose to remain unspecialized. Home health nurses work with patients and their families in their homes and look after their wellbeing after they are discharged from hospitals. These nurses know how to work independently as they work away from medical facilities. They also have strong communication and interpersonal skills so that they can work effectively in different cultures and lifestyles.
 

Home Health Nursing Educational Requirements
 
A student who wants to become a home health nurse must obtain a diploma, an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. An associate’s program may take two years to complete while bachelor’s degrees can be earned in four years. The curriculum in these programs includes topics such as chemistry, medical terminology, human physiology, human anatomy and psychology. Students also need to complete laboratory work and clinical practicums.
 
After earning a RN degree, students need to pass National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. They also need to earn a home health nurse certification from the American Nursing Credentialing Center.
 
Aspiring home health nurses also need to have one year’s worth of work experience in nursing. Most employers hire homecare nurses with prior experience in critical care, intensive care units or emergency rooms. These nurses should have organizational and communication skills in addition to demonstrating critical thinking. Having computer skills is also important for these professionals so that they can manage medical database software and office software.
 
Job Opportunities for Home Health Nurses
 
The ones, who would like to work independently and away from the mainstream medical care settings, should specialize in home health nursing. According to statistics, the employment outlook for registered nurses is expected to grow by 26% from 2010 to 2020, which is higher than the employment growth in other occupations. It means that home health nurses can readily find rewarding jobs once they complete their training and obtain licenses.
 
As home health nurse, students can opt to serve patients that are confined to their homes and suffering from life threatening ailments. They can also choose to work with adults or kids having developmental or mobility problems. These nurses may also play a vital role in hospice or palliative care - the treatment that patients may receive at the end of their lives. Home health nurses can earn between $60,000 and $100,000 on an annual basis.
 
Online Nursing Programs
Students who want to get into the field of home care nursing but cannot make it to regular classes due to a busy work schedule or as a result of residing in remote areas need not worry – online programs in nursing can help them turn their goal of become a home health nurse into a reality. These programs are very flexible and allow learners to study at timings that suit their personal routines. Students in the online programs in nursing can thus pursue their educational goals without disrupting their existing routine.