When we think of nurses, we usually picture them working in the high-pressure setting of a busy hospital. But for many nurses, the most rewarding moments of their career involve sitting by a patient’s bedside, helping them to get the care they need in the most comfortable and comforting of settings: their own home. Home care nursing is much more personalized than hospital work, and allows you to develop a closer relationship not just with the patient, but also with their family and other caregivers.
A hospital provides a structured working environment, and if you have a question, there is always someone you can ask. As a home care nurse, however, you have to be capable of taking initiative and making some key clinical decisions on your own. Here’s what you need to know about becoming a home care nurse.
What is a home care nurse?
Home care nurses are fully licensed and trained nursing professionals who can give medications (including IV fluids), treat wounds, record vital signs, perform physical exams, insert catheters, and take blood samples for lab work. They work with a supervising physician to create and follow through on a plan of care. They may also help bathe and dress patients, and assist them with other daily activities. Though home care nurses often serve elderly and terminally ill patients, they can also be assigned to patients who are recovering from an injury, children with special medical needs, or even new mothers. Home care nurses might check on several patients each day or work with just one patient for an extended period of time.
What kind of training does a home care nurse need?
A home care nurse is, first and foremost, a licensed nurse, so at a minimum, you need to have a nursing degree and training as a professional nurse. Home care nurses should be particularly comfortable and confident with life-saving skills, since they are often the only medical professional on the scene during an emergency.
Are there many job vacancies?
The job outlook in this field is considered to be very good. The population is aging rapidly, and many seniors are preferring to stay at home for as long as possible rather than moving to assisted living or long-term care facilities, which means that there is a growing need for home care nurses. Hospitals are also looking for more ways to allow patients to recover at home in order to reduce the length of hospital stays.
How much do home care nurses earn?
A home care nurse’s salary depends very much on their designation (LPN, RN, etc.), the province and region where they work, and the agency or facility they work for. According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, public and community health registered nurses typically earn between $27 and $49 per hour.
Who is best suited for this job?
If you like the idea of getting to know a patient in their own home, working independently, and having a flexible schedule, home care nursing might be a good fit for you. However, if you would prefer to work as part of a team in a busy and structured hospital setting, home care nursing might not be the right choice for you.