Each year, May 6 through May 12 is National Nurses Week. Beginning on National Nurses Day and ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, this event is a weeklong recognition of everything that nurses do in health care and beyond. The caring and dedicated nurses at Care Options for Kids provide a wide range of support and services to help families thrive, and we’re so proud of the difference these exceptional people make every day.
This year on National Nurses Week, we want to raise awareness of the important work that home health nurses do and provide a first-hand view of how our compassionate caregivers have touched the lives they help.
A Day in the Life of a Home Health Nurse
More patients than ever before are receiving direct care from nurses in the home. From elder care for conditions such as dementia, to pediatric care for children with rare diseases and congenital conditions, to assisting patients who are permanently or temporarily disabled, there is a wide range of people who home health nurses support.
Home health nurses often have very flexible schedules, working in a patient’s home for a few hours a couple of times a week, all the way up to helping provide around-the-clock care in shifts.
Home health nurses and private duty nurses have to be very independent. In many situations, this means consulting with physicians or nurse managers by phone only in emergencies or specific situations. Typical duties include:
- Providing nutritional support and assistance, including tube and IV feedings
- Administering medication
- Managing tracheostomy and/or ventilator care
- Monitoring sleep apnea
- Delivering pulse oximetry and suctioning
- Helping with at-home therapy exercises
- Accompanying patients to appointments
Being a home health nurse is often like being an extended family member. These caregivers play an essential role in patients’ health and wellness, enabling the family and other caregivers to balance other areas of life.
Inspirational Quotes From Inspirational Caregivers
Everyone becomes a nurse for their own reasons, and that is certainly true of home health nursing. For some, it is the ability to work independently; for others, it’s the unique combination of flexibility and familiarity you can get from working with a family. For almost everyone, one of the biggest positives of working in home health nursing is the ability to deliver one-on-one patient care.
Here is what some of our own Care Options for Kids caregivers have to say about their experiences as home health nurses:
“I love to love on people who might not get any kind of kindness or feeling of love from anyone else — because they may be stuck at home. Or their family is… burnt out, and they need rest. I like being able to do that.” — Bonnie
“Nursing in a home care setting, it’s just a lot more intimate. You know, it’s a lot more like family; you get to know each other. You kind of become part of the family. Nobody’s surprised to see you walk in the hall.” — Valerie
In comparing home health nursing to a hospital, Valerie also says: “I would never go back because of the stress that’s in the hospital. I’m not tired. I’m not worn out. I can go home and still get exercise and cook a meal, and not just pass out on my bed. It’s a big, big difference.”
“When you work in a hospital, you have several patients, depending on what they give you. The difference is that in home health care, the care is one-on-one; you are only with one person. As a nurse, it is more comfortable to work with one person than with several.” —Mariveliz
The Care Options for Kids Difference for Nurses
At Care Options for Kids, we are committed to giving our nurses the highest levels of training, support, benefits, and work-life balance. To truly achieve our mission of helping families reach their wellness goals, we believe in investing in our nurses so they can have a stable livelihood while focusing squarely on the needs of patients.
When it comes to what they love about working for Care Options for Kids, our nurses have plenty to say:
“Care Options for Kids is different from other employers because they truly care about their patients and their nurses.” — Bonnie
“The PTO is nice to have. If I want to go out of town or whatever the case may be, scheduling is very flexible.” — Valerie
“I like working at Care Options for Kids; it is a company that is always willing to help you. You have your benefits like 401k, your medical plan; you have your days of PTO. They are a company that always looks for ways to help you.” —Mariveliz
From matching with clients to scheduling time off to training, we want to work together to make a difference in both the lives of our nurses and the people we mutually serve.
Contact Care Options for Kids for Home Health Care
Our home health care nurses work one-on-one with clients in the comfort of their own home. We are always looking for loving and competent nurses to provide customized care for families — from a few hours a day to around-the-clock supervision. We value our nurses’ health and well-being and understand your vital role in caring for our clients. PPE is provided in each home – including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. We follow CDC guidelines to ensure you, your client, and your family stay healthy.
Applying for a position with Care Options for Kids is quick and simple. Our online application process is straightforward and effortless and eliminates the need to come into a local office. Our approach is virtual and can be completed at your convenience. Until you are ready to meet with our Director of Nursing, your application, resumé, license, CPR card, and other credentials can all be quickly uploaded online. We make it as easy as possible to join our team. Call today at (888) 592-5855.
