Home Health Nursing Programs

At home healthcare jobs have become increasingly popular. From the elderly to newborns, at-home nurses can work with any age group. Additionally, hospital stays have become expensive, leading people to leave earlier than needed. This nursing profession provides the necessary help patients need to get back on their feet without having to pay high hospital bills.

There are many benefits to this non-traditional work environment. The schooling for work from home healthcare jobs for nursing is short term. This makes it an ideal career for those who want to enter the medical field quickly but wish to maintain autonomy. If you want to learn more about at home nursing, read the following sections. 



What Are at Home Healthcare Programs for Nurses?

Home health nursing is providing one-on-one care for patients in their homes. At home healthcare is typically provided to:

  • Elderly people

  • Disabled individuals

  • Terminally ill individuals

  • Individuals recovering from an accident or injury

  • Chronically ill individuals

At home health nurses provide help with the basic needs of patients. These needs can include bathing, dressing and wound care. In terms of education, most of these jobs require less than a bachelor’s degree. Work from home healthcare jobs will require a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). The diploma or certificate must come from an accredited institution within the state.

However, receiving more advanced training is possible. You can study how to become a registered nurse (RN). The coursework for the RN track will take between two to four years to complete. Furthermore, the American Nurses Association (ANA) had a certification program for at home nurses. Although the program is not available anymore, it is possible to renew the certification every five years. 

At-Home Nursing Programs vs. Regular Nursing Programs

When comparing nursing training for both nursing professions, they are essentially the same. The only obvious difference is the place of work. Nursing programs are usually short and can be completed between one to four years of schooling. The amount of time you spend in school will vary depending on the licensure and the kind of nursing profession. 

For instance, becoming an LPN or LVN requires less than two years of education at an accredited school. While becoming a registered nurse (RN) requires between two to four years. You can go to a university and pursue a degree in a Bachelor’s in Nursing. 

Home health nursing programs will have similar training provided by regular nursing programs. Subjects covered in these programs are gerontology, pediatrics, public health, medical and mental health.  Regular nursing programs may cover this as well but in addition to working at a hospital. When it comes to gaining experience as an at-home nurse, this can involve gaining experience in working with patients who are part of the previously mentioned groups. 

Advantages of Home Health Nursing Programs

The advantage of choosing this nursing program and career path is the flexibility. When nurses work at a hospital, they must adhere to the schedule that is given to them. This can include 12-hour shifts. At-home nurses have a flexible schedule. These nurses also have more independence and autonomy. Another advantage is working in a more personal space than at the office of a doctor. 

You are also not restricted to a certain area in the hospital. You can work with a variety of people across ages. Another advantage of work from home healthcare jobs is the job opportunity and growth. With an aging population, medical attention at home has become increasingly popular. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, at home nursing jobs are expected to grow 41 percent by 2026.

Another benefit of being a home health nurse is the salary. Because this type of nursing profession is so specialized, there might be an opportunity to make more money than the average nursing salary. Agencies that employ home nurses do require individuals who apply to have previous nursing experience.

Disadvantages of Home Health Nursing Programs

Although there are perks to at home healthcare work, there are sometimes issues that come up in this line of work. For instance, the nurse has little control over the condition of the home. Because certain patients cannot perform daily tasks, homes may be messy and difficult to navigate. 

Another issue is needle and sharps injuries. Depending on the needs of the patient, the nurse may have to provide injections or IV drips. Some patients may not have the proper containers to dispose of these needles and sharps. This can result in having to recap needles, which can lead to needle stick injuries. These injuries can lead to contracting the disease of the patient.

Furthermore, nurses may have to deal with angry or confused patients. It is possible that they may have to deal with someone who is physically violent. This makes administering medicine via needles a more difficult task. Work from home healthcare jobs do not have staff available to call on for help. Therefore, if a situation escalates, it can be difficult to receive assistance.