As an LPN, What Does a Home Care Nurse Do?
The home
care nurse industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the health care industry, with many
aging baby boomers hiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to assist them with their medical and personal needs
in the privacy and comfort of their homes. Home care LPNs assist people who have disabilities and injuries, as
well as those who are sick or dying. It's not an easy job, but it can be very fulfilling for nurses who prefer
to work closely with their patients and who are good at working independently with minimal
supervision.
What Kinds of Patients Does A Home
Care Nurse See?
Home care
nurses, especially LPNs, are increasingly in demand, not only because of the growing elderly
population, but also due to new technology that makes it possible for medical diagnostics and services to be
provided at home. Many patients prefer to recover from surgery or long-term illnesses at home, and hire home
care nurses to assist them in their recovery. Other LPNs might work with:
- Elderly patients with physical disabilities,
dementia, or other mental and memory disorders
- Accident victims recovering at
home
- People with illnesses such as diabetes,
hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, or cancer who require frequent monitoring of their vital signs and
medication
- Autistic or special needs children and adults
whose families are unable to provide the full-time care they need
- Childred and adults with terminal illnesses who
prefer to spend their remaining time at home
In addition to providing private,
ongoing care and support, home care nurses also teach patients' families how to best assist their loved ones
when a nurse is not present.
An LPNs Daily Work as a Home Care Nurse
Depending on the patient, a home care nurse's
duties may include any of the following:
- Helping patients clean, feed and dress
themselves
- Reminding patients to take their
medication
- Assisting disabled or injured clients with
getting in and out of bed and moving around their homes
- Helping patients with physical therapy by
providing physical and emotional support
- Providing therapeutic massage when
needed
- Teaching basic living skills to special needs
children
- Drawing blood and monitoring vital signs (blood
pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, body temperature) and response to medication
- Administering pain medication or IVs (previously
authorized by a doctor) as needed
- Recording daily food and fluid intake and
output
- Changing catheters and dressings on wounds and
incisions
- Monitoring the healing
process
- Teaching friends and family members to help care
for their loved ones, and showing patients good habits to help them heal faster and lower their pain
levels
Special Qualifications for The Home Care Nurse
Home care nurses work almost completely
independently, requiring a higher level of organization and self-motivation to keep track of patients' needs.
These LPNs need to have plenty of patience, diplomacy, and a good sense of humor to interact comfortably with
irritable patients and concerned family members.
Home care LPNs are usually those who prefer a
self-directed working environment that is not as fast-paced as a hospital or clinic. The best nurses are able to
connect with their clients and provide a warm, friendly presence, promoting faster healing and a sense of peace
for ill patients.
Other Career Paths to Consider:
LPN Home Care Nurse
LPN Travel Nurse
LPN Crusie Nurse
LPN Hospital Nurse
LPN Military Nurse
Elderly Care Nursing
Hospice Nursing
Resources:
Home Care Nursing: Using an Accredidation Approach
Home Care Nursing Practice: Concepts and
Application
Return to the home page for more on
LPNs.
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