Home Health Nurse Career Guide

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Overview

Home health registered nurses (RNs) visit patients in their homes to provide one-on-one medical care. Home health patients may be elderly, physically disabled, suffering from a chronic disease or recovering from an injury or accident. Home health nurses practice in a non-traditional work environment and often care for the same patients long-term, which may appeal to those looking for a change

Education

Aspiring home health nurses must complete a nursing program and earn a degree in nursing, such as an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The length of study for an ADN program is usually two to three years, while a BSN program typically takes four years to complete.

Education includes gaining knowledge and skills

A stethoscope held in one hand

Related certifications

After completing your nursing degree, you must meet several other requirements to become an RN and enter the home health field. Necessary qualifications and competencies in this specialty include:

Licensure: To work as an RN in home health care, individuals must be licensed. This involves passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is a

State licenses process and requirements

All 50 states require state licensure to become a professional nurse. Review the step-by-step process to obtain or renew your RN license in each one.
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A stethoscope held in one hand

Skills

By combining crucial competencies, home health nurses can provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in the comfort of patients' homes, promoting independence and facilitating optimal health outcomes. Essential skills required to succeed as a home health RN include:

  • Knowledge: Home health nurses must possess a solid understanding of various health conditions, treatment modalities and evidence-based practices related to home care. They need to

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Responsibilities

Providing specialized care to patients in their homes is a key responsibility of a home health RN. Your primary role is assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating individualized care plans to meet each patient’s unique needs. Duties include conducting comprehensive assessments of patients' physical, emotional and social well-being, as well as their home environments. You administer medications, manage wound care, monitor

Salary Insights

Compare your pay with the most up-to-date job market data using our comprehensive salary calculator.
Home Health Nurse
$1,940-2,759/week

The average salary for a Home Health Nurse is $2,310.68 per week.

Last updated on March 18, 2024. Based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

Pros & Cons

When you provide care in a patient’s home, you work with them one-on-one, allowing time to focus on their needs without competing demands from other patients. Other benefits of this career path include:

  • Autonomy: As the only healthcare provider in the home, you take responsibility for assessing and monitoring your patient’s condition, reporting to their physician as needed.

  • Flexibility: Home health nurses

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Home Health Nurse Jobs


View job details for Travel Nurse RN - Home Health
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - Home Health

  • Rockport, ME
  • Wellspring Nurse Source
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,263/week

Posted 3 days ago
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - Home Health
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - Home Health

  • Rockport, ME
  • Coast Medical Service
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,123/week

Posted 3 days ago
 Verified
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - Home Health
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - Home Health

  • Rockport, ME
  • Coast Medical Service
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,121/week

Posted 7 days ago
 Verified
View job details for Travel Nurse RN - Home Health
Travel Contract

Travel Nurse RN - Home Health

  • Rockport, ME
  • Coast Medical Service
  • 5x8 hrs, Days

$3,110/week

Posted 10 days ago
 Verified

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