The field of nursing plays a crucial role in healthcare services. In this field, qualified, trained, and licensed professionals provide care to patients in various settings such as homes, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They work closely with doctors to communicate treatment protocols to caregivers, keep them updated on the patient’s progress, and educate them on specific steps for providing care. So, let’s explore this profession in more detail.
Important duties of nursing care professionals
There are many levels of nursing duties based on their qualification and experience. While a nursing assistant is the entry-level in a nursing career, they can complete advanced or specialized courses and work in specialty areas like operation theaters, surgeons, psychiatry clinics, and rehabilitation centers. The primary responsibilities of nurses include:
- Monitoring, recording, and reporting a patient’s health parameters periodically
- Administering medication and injections on time as per doctor’s prescription
- Clean and dress wounds post-surgery
- Taking care of patients affected spinal cord, brain injury, or those on a ventilator
- Assisting the patient to carry out their daily activities as and when required
- Educating and counseling the patient’s caregivers about the proper care of a patient
Home care nurses should periodically update their patients’ doctors on their condition and progress. This ensures that doctors can adjust treatment and medication as needed.
Cost of nursing care services
The cost of nursing services varies depending on the patient’s condition and the type of care required. The cost of end-of-life care, post-operative care, specialty care, or round-the-clock care will be higher than services like personal care, wound care, or meal preparation. The price of nursing care provided at home may vary from care received in a long-term facility such as a hospice. The cost may also depend on the location, with urban areas being more expensive than suburban or rural areas. The cost of nursing care is usually covered by healthcare insurance policies, but the specific policy you have will affect the cost.
Tips for finding the right in-home nursing care service agency
In-home nursing care service providers employ a pool of trained, qualified registered nurses. Here are some tips:
- Understand the patient’s needs and seek an agency to send nurses with previous experience in that care.
- Ask the hospital for a reference; many hospitals also provide nursing care services for an additional fee.
- Ask friends, family, and others in your community and network for references.
- Post a requirement on the internet in social media groups
- Review ratings and credentials of agencies and check online reviews about their service
- Speak to the nurses and understand if they have the required certification and licenses and check if they have had any training in caring for different types of patients.
Courses for a career in nursing care
To become a nurse, one must complete an Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Eligibility differs statewide. After the nursing degree, one must complete the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). After completing the exam, one must get state licensure. The most preferred courses for a career in nursing include:
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
After becoming a Registered Nurse, one can specialize in cardiac care, emergency and critical care, and senior or family care. One can also work as an assistant with surgeons, pediatric clinics, or in-home nurses.
