The Characteristics of a Home Nurse

A home health nurse provides health care to a patient in his home. The intensity of the medical assistance depends on the patient's status.

Job Description

A home nurse may take care of a variety of patients, including cancer patients and individuals who just had surgery. The nurse monitors the patient's recovery, provides medical assistance, communicates his progress to his physician and instructs family members on how to provide care.

Time Frame

Home nurses could be needed all the time, certain days of the week, or even once a week, depending on the needs of the patient.

How To Become a Home Nurse

To become a home nurse, you must first become a registered nurse, which can be accomplished in as little as two years. An RN goes through training to become a home nurse. A home nurse needs good communication skills and be emotionally stable.

Salary

A home nurse makes on average $55,000 a year; the salary can be as high as $70,000 with additional training.

Demand

With hospitals cutting costs and discharging patients earlier than ever, the demand for home health care has increased during the last few years. The number of home nurse jobs is expected to increase until the year 2012.

References

• Home Health Nurse Outline

Resources

• Become a Home Health Nurse