About the Author:
Mark Aquino is a registered nurse in California with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Masters of Health Administration from West Coast University. He has at least 5 years of experience in the front lines as a visiting nurse in home health and hospice in direct patient care. He is author of OASIS NINJA: A Home Health Nurse’s Guide to Visits, Documentation, and Positive Patient Outcomes. This guide provides nurses with the information they need to provide quality care to their patients in the comfort of their own homes. You can also find all his books here. Learn more at OasisNinja.com.
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Benefits of Home Health Care Nursing
It’s always important to find a good health care professional. The benefits of home health care nursing range from providing transportation to helping older adults do their everyday tasks. These are all great reasons for you to consider a career in this field.
Work with a lot of autonomy
If you work as a home health care nurse you know that you have to respect the autonomy of your patients. While you may find it tempting to pick your own schedule and do your own thing, you’re still bound by the same set of rules and regulations that other nurses have to follow. For example, you’re expected to keep your hands and face clean, and you’re also required to wear protective equipment, such as gloves and glasses.
The ability to perform a variety of tasks independently can make you a better nurse. You’ll be able to make informed decisions about your patients’ needs, and you’ll feel more confident in your abilities.
Autonomy is a great way to improve patient outcomes and lower turnover rates. However, it can also lead to increased scrutiny of your work. This may make you feel stressed out, and may affect your job performance.
The best way to demonstrate your independence is by acting professionally and assisting other professionals. Whether you’re helping out a fellow nurse or helping a patient, you should use your skills to benefit your colleagues and your employer.
In fact, studies show that employees with high levels of autonomy are more satisfied at work. They are more willing to take on new projects, and they’re more likely to come back for future needs.
Another way to increase your sense of autonomy is to stay organized. Keep track of your workload, and try to eliminate any unnecessary tasks. Having a clean and organized work area is important.
Another way to improve your sense of autonomy is to participate in interdisciplinary collaborations. By working with other professionals, you’ll be able to share your knowledge and make improvements to your department.
Finally, you should know that your level of autonomy will vary depending on your workplace. Your experience, education, and position all play a part in the amount of autonomy you have.
Nurses with a high degree of autonomy are more confident and have a greater sense of accomplishment than those who lack the freedom. Getting the best out of your job means keeping up with the latest innovations in the field, and learning how to apply them to your own practice.
Be a part of a collaborative care team
One of the most exciting aspects of home health care nursing is being able to collaborate with other professionals. This means the RN will have to exhibit superior interpersonal skills. The more collaborative you are the better off you’ll be. You’ll need to know how to get along with your colleagues, and you’ll have to demonstrate that you understand the roles and responsibilities of everyone on your team.
Having a formalized team round is one way to accomplish this. It also has a positive impact on your emotional state of mind. Likewise, having a formalized system to measure quality of care is one way to ensure you’re providing a high quality of care for your patients. A formalized system to track patient and staff safety is another important part of any quality of care system.
Lastly, the most important part of a quality of care is maintaining and sustaining patient health. Your adherence to best practices is paramount to the quality of care you provide. For instance, if your nurses or doctors aren’t practicing evidence based medicine, you won’t get any value from a quality of care system in the first place. The same holds true for your other healthcare professionals, such as social workers and therapists. All of this translates into improved health outcomes for your patients. Clearly, having a solid quality of care is more important than achieving a certain salary level, which is why you should make a concerted effort to improve the quality of your staff’s performance. Taking the time to do so is well worth the effort.
With a little planning and a bit of forethought, you can start implementing an effective quality of care system that will improve the lives of your patients and your bottom line.
Help older adults do everyday tasks
In-home healthcare offers elderly adults the opportunity to continue to perform daily tasks without having to spend their life savings on a nursing home. This may help to prevent the need for hospitalization and avoid harmful drug interactions. Home care also provides regular monitoring and education. It also helps to maintain a stable lifestyle. A home health aide or a nurse can provide personal care services to seniors.
In-home care can include assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as eating, dressing, bathing, and shopping. It can also involve transportation. Transportation is a key issue for older adults. If a senior needs to leave the house for medical treatment, they must have assistance. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers are also available.
Home health care can reduce the risk of falls and keep older adults from needing intensive care. The help from a professional may be required for a short period of time, or it may be ongoing. Before hiring someone to assist you, make sure you discuss your needs with your caregiver. You should also spend some time with the person before the job begins. Your caregiver should be able to inform you about any special requirements or medications you might need.
If you decide to get a home care provider, you’ll need to ask around for referrals. Also, try to find out if the company has liability insurance. Some people prefer to work with an independent agency, since they may be more affordable. Make sure the agency you choose accepts Medicare Advantage plans.
When looking for a home care service, you should consult friends and family. A referral from a physician can also be helpful. Usually, the cost of home care is covered by private insurance or Medicare. You should also seek referrals from neighbors and local churches. There may also be local groups that offer social activities for elderly adults. Finally, make sure that the home care provider you choose has liability insurance.
Whether you decide to hire an independent home care provider or an agency, make sure you know what services are covered by Medicare and how much they will cost.
About the Author:
Mark Aquino is a registered nurse in California with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and Masters of Health Administration from West Coast University. He has at least 5 years of experience in the front lines as a visiting nurse in home health and hospice in direct patient care. He is author of OASIS NINJA: A Home Health Nurse’s Guide to Visits, Documentation, and Positive Patient Outcomes. This guide provides nurses with the information they need to provide quality care to their patients in the comfort of their own homes. You can also find all his books here. Learn more at OasisNinja.com.
Follow for more:
Email Newsletter – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Pinterest – Twitter (X) – TikTok – LinkedIn – Reddit