Home Health Nurse

Home health nurses may further their career by getting an MSN with a focus on Nursing Administration or as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or a combined MSN/MHA (master’s in health administration).

You can also advance by becoming a Nurse Practitioner as either an:  

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP)

• Patient assessments: vital signs, physical exams, and home safety
• Wound care: dressing changes and preventive skin care to prevent breakdown
• Medication administration: IV, IM, oral, nebulizer 
• Ensure all equipment operates safely to prevent falls
• Supervise and coordinate other home care staff: CNAs, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy
• Patient and family education

• Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Diabetes
• COPD or other respiratory complications
• Chronic conditions
• Neurological conditions: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Muscular dystrophy (MD)
• Joint replacement

1. Complete an ADN or BSN program in nursing
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for your RN license
3. Work one to two years in the hospital or in a skilled nursing facility
4. Apply to your county Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) or contact other local home health nursing agencies. Look for agencies with good reputations both in patient care and staff satisfaction.

National Association for Home Care & Hospice

• Mission: “The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the largest and most respected professional association representing the interests of chronically ill, disabled, and dying Americans of all ages and the caregivers who provide them with in-home health and hospice services.”‍
• Cost: $100, annually, per each member.‍
• Perks: Expert legal and regulatory guidance from NAHC staff, Subscription to NAHC Report, Networking opportunities with industry experts, and more.
  

Visiting Nurse Association of America 

• Mission: “VNAA is the catalyst to ensure the advancement of home-based care as the preferred solution to high-value, high-quality care.”
• Cost: $250, annually.
• Perks: Membership bestows various benefits including access to VNAA’s partnership with a range of vendors that offer exclusive pricing and benefits to their members. More here.

Association of Public Health Nurses 

• Mission: “To shape the role of public health nursing within the specialty of population health and to educate and advocate for policies and practices that advance the practice of public health nursing to promote the public’s health.”
• Cost: $250-385, annually, depending on membership status.
• Perks: Educational offerings, leadership development opportunities, chances to receive and provide mentorship in public health nursing practice and leadership, networking conference calls and meetings, and more.

Association of Public Health Nurses 

• Mission: “To shape the role of public health nursing within the specialty of population health and to educate and advocate for policies and practices that advance the practice of public health nursing to promote the public’s health.”‍
• Cost: $250-385, annually, depending on membership status.‍
• Perks: Educational offerings, leadership development opportunities, chances to receive and provide mentorship in public health nursing practice and leadership, networking conference calls and meetings, and more.