2007-Sep-23 - How to Become a Home Health Care Nurse
Home Health Care Nursing Information and Overview
Home health care is allowing the patient and their family to maintain dignity and independence. According to the National Association for Home Care, there are more than 7 million individuals in the United States in need of home health care nurse services because of acute illness, long term health problems, permanent disability or terminal illness.
Home Health Care Basics
Nurses practice in a number of venues: Hospital settings, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and home health care. Home health care nursing is a growing phenomenon as more patients and their families desire to receive care in their homes. The history of home health care stems from Public Health Nursing where public health nurses made home visits to promote health education and provide treatment as part of community outreach programs. Today academic programs train nurses in home care and agencies place home health care nurses with ailing individuals and their families depending on the nurse's experience and qualifications. In many cases there is a shared relationship between the agency and the academic institution.
Many changes have taken place in the area of home health care. These include Medicare and Medicaid, and Long Term Care insurance reimbursement and documentation. It is important for the nurse and nursing agency to be aware of the many factors involved for these rules and regulations resulting from these organizations. Population and demographic changes are taking place as well. Baby boomers approaching retirement and will present new challenges for the home health care industry. Technology and medical care in hospitals has lead to shorter inpatient stay and more at-home rehabilitation. Increases in medical outpatient procedures are also taking place with follow-up home care. This has resulted in the decrease of mortality rate from these technologies and medical care has lead to increases in morbidity and chronic illness that makes the need for home health care nursing a greater priority.
Home Health Care Nurse Job Description
Through an array of skills and experience, home health care nurses specialize in a wide range of treatments; emotional support, education of patients who are recovering from illnesses and injury for young children and adults, to women who have experienced recent childbirth, to the elderly who need palliative care for chronic illness.
A practicing nurse must have the skills to provide care in a unique setting such as someone's home. The nurse is working with the patient and the family and must understand the communication skills for such dynamics. Rapport is evident in all nursing positions, but working in a patient's own living space needs a different level of skill and understanding. There is autonomous decision making as the nurse is no longer working as a team with other nurses in a structured environment, but is now as a member of the "family" team. The host family has cultural values that are important and are different for every patient and must be treated with extreme sensitivity. Other skills include critical thinking, coordination, assessment, communication, and documentation.
Home health care nurses also specialize in the care of children with disabilities that requires additional skills such as patience and understanding of the needs of the family. Children are living with disabilities today that would have resulted in mortality just twenty years ago. Genetic disorders, congenital physical impairments, and injury are just a few. Many families are familiar with managing the needs of the child, but still need expert care that only a home health care nurse can provide. It is important that a home health care nurse is aware of the expertise of the family about the child's condition for proper care of the child. There are many complexities involved, but most important, a positive attitude and positive reinforcement is of utmost importance for the development of the child.
Medication coordination between the home health care nurse, doctor, and pharmacist, ensures proper management of the exact science behind giving the patient the correct dose, time of administration, and combinations. Home health care nurses should be familiar with pharmacology and taught in training about different medications used by patients in the clinical setting.
Many advanced practicing nurses are familiar with medication regiments. They have completed graduate level programs. Home health care agencies believe that a nurse should have at least one year of clinical experience before entering home health care. Advanced practicing nurses can expedite that training by helping new nurses understand the home health care market and teaching.
Employment and Salary
According to the United States Department of Labor, there were 2.4 million nurses in America, the largest healthcare occupation, yet many academic and hospital organizations believe there is a gross shortage in nursing staff. The shortage of nurses was 6% in 2000 and is expected to be 10% in 2010. The average salary for hospital nursing is $53,450 with 3 out of 5 nursing jobs are in the hospital. For home health care, the salary is $49,000. For nursing care facilities, they were the lowest at $48,200.
Training and continuing education
Most home health care nurses gain their education through accredited nursing schools throughout the country with an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), or a master's degree in nursing (MSN). According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2004 there were 674 BSN nursing programs, 846 ADN programs. Also, in 2004, there were 417 master's degree programs, 93 doctoral programs, and 46 joint BSN-doctoral programs. The associate degree program takes 2 to 3 years to complete, while bachelors degrees take 4 years to complete. Nurses can also earn specialized professional certificates online in Geriatric Care or Life Care Planning.
In addition, for those nurses who choose to pursue advancement into administrative positions or research, consulting, and teaching, a bachelor's degree is often essential. A bachelor's degree is also important for becoming a clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners (U.S. Department of Labor, 2004).
All home health care nurses have supervised clinical experience during their training, but as stated earlier advanced practicing nurses hold master's degrees and unlike bachelor and associate degrees, they have a minimum of two years of post clinical experience. Course work includes anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, psychology, and behavioral sciences and liberal arts. Many of these programs have training in nursing homes, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics. (U.S. Dep. of Labor, 2004).
Whether a nurse is training in a hospital, nursing facility, or home care, continuing education is necessary. Health care is changing rapidly and staying abreast with the latest developments enhances patient care and health procedures. Universities, continuing education programs, and internet sites, all offer continuing education. One such organization that provides continuing education is the American Nurses Association (ANA) or through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Conclusion
There are many rewards to becoming a home health care nurse. Some rewards include the relationship with a patient and their family, autonomy, independence, and engaging in critical thinking. The 21st Century brings with it many opportunities and challenges. We must meet these challenges head on - there is an aging baby boomer population, a growing morbidity factor due to increased medical technology and patient care, and the growing shortage in nursing care.
Becoming a home health care nurse today is exciting and an opportunity to make a difference one life at a time. With clinical experience and proper education, a home health care nurse will lead the future of medical care.
By Michael V. Gruber, MPH is a contributing author to My Nursing Degree Online, providing articles and resources for nurses looking for continuing education online. With a Masters of Public Health and two years of medical school, Michael provides a unique perspective on the current nursing shortage crisis on the Nursing Career Blog as well as comprehensive articles about nurse education and advancement.
Find more information about becoming a Home Health Care Nurse including certification and job openings at My Nursing Degree Online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_V._Gruber
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2007-Sep-19 - Health care Degree - Health care degree online
HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS ONLINE Increase your credentials and salary expectations with an advanced degree in healthcare.
The following accredited universities offer online certificate bachelor and master's degree programs health care management.
These professionals are often called health care managers or health care administrators and they oversee hospitals and other healthcare organizations.
Heath care management professionals must care deeply for patients as a successfully organized and well-run hospital or health care organization will provide quality care and a safe environment for patients.
Health care managers who work in high-level positions such as CEO of a hospital usually possess advanced degrees and are skilled in areas ranging from finance to community relations.
Health care management education ranges from a certification to PhD level.
Earning a master's degree or PhD in the field can help many lower-level health care workers advance in their field and earn higher salaries.
Academic study in health care management often is paired with a business degree such as an MBA or a bachelor's of business administration specializing in health care management.
Coursework for health care management degrees can include management practices heath care finance and health care infrastructure.
The job market outlook for health care managers is well above average with projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing a 29% increase in the job market between 2002 and 2012.
According to 2004 estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics health care managers earn an average annual salary of $75 140.
Learn more about these health care management degree programs.
Colorado Technical University Online With Colorado Tech Online you can earn a career-accelerating degree on a flexible study schedule that fits your busy lifestyle.
Instead of having to be on campus at a set time you'll just log into your classroom - anywhere anytime.
Colorado Tech Online is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Learning.
Learn more about this online health care management degree.
Baker College Online Baker College Online is one of the largest accredited online colleges in America and is also one of the nation's most affordable colleges.
Most typical business disciplines are represented in the curriculum because a successful manager must be conversant with different aspects of running organizations or companies.
Baker College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
Learn more about this online health care management degree.
The MBA/HCM specialization is based upon courses in health care organizations health care finance quality and data base management health care infrastructure and health care strategic management.
- Importance of Accreditation - US Accreditation - WWL Quality Assurance Career Planning Looking for more career information.
Follow these links to career pathways career planning and education: - Career Planning - Career Assessment - Guide to Majors - Career Planning Tools Need More Help.
Kennedy "The World's Largest Online Directory of Education" World Wide Learn.An online degree in healthcare is a valuable asset to healthcare professionals and employers and healthcare organizations recognize this.
The degrees and training that we provide will give you the knowledge and experience you need to be an excellent healthcare professional or nurse.Canyon College now offers students the opportunity to earn either their Bachelors or Masters degree in health administration entirely online and with out any campus requirements.
Online Health Administration Degrees Start earning your health care administration degree online.You can plan your future right here by selecting a degree or researching a new health care career.
Whether it's health care administration medical assisting or any health care career All Allied Health Schools helps you find your passion.
All Allied Health Schools is your resource for health care schools and career information.
Find health care schools Get career information Explore health career articles Apply for financial aid Hot Careers Looking for a rewarding career in direct patient care.
Consider a health care career as a pharmacy technician or a medical assistant.
If you're drawn to the administrative side of health care hospitals and medical offices are always looking to fill positions in medical transcription and medical coding.
Visit our Career Resource Center for more career information.
Massage Therapy Career With over 97 000 massage therapy jobs in the United States massage therapy is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after medical careers.
As insurance companies expand their provider base massage therapists are finding lucrative employment in this ancient healing art.
Visit the Massage Therapy Career Center and get massage salary information learn about job opportunities and much more.
Read in-depth interviews with a student of massage and a spa owner and licensed massage therapist.
Veterinary Technician Career Veterinary Technicians assist during medical procedures conduct tests and perform diagnostic evaluations.
Combine your love of animals with what you do for a living.
You'll have a positive impact on the lives of animals while enriching your own.
The Veterinary Technician Career Center contains current information on Veterinary Tech careers.
You can also find Veterinary Technician Schools and request information.
Medical Assistant Career Medical Assisting is a versatile in-demand health care career where you interact with patients and positively affect the lives of other people.
With the growing elderly population Medical Assistants are in short supply and many more are needed.
Medical assisting is a stepping stone to many other health care professions.
Visit the Medical Assistant Career Center and review medical assistant salary information medical assisting certification requirements and medical assistant degree options.
Or simply search all medical assistant schools by state and request information directly.Home Healthcare Degrees Our accredited colleges and universities offer two primary types of healthcare degree programs: Healthcare Administration and Management and Nursing.
Typical coursework in healthcare administration/management programs include topics such as accounting marketing finance law and management as they relate to the healthcare industry.
In addition to degree programs we offer certificate programs in specialized areas such as Case Management Forensic Nursing Geriatric Care and Life Care Planning.
If you want to advance your career in healthcare administration or nursing explore the online programs below and request more information from our accredited colleges and universities today.
Doctoral Health Administration Health Services Administration Health Care Management Medical Office Administration Health Information Systems and more.As the health care industry continues to grow and expand the demand for skilled health care administration managers also increases.
Employment as a Health Care Administrator is expected to grow faster than average with the fastest growth in home health agencies residential care facilities and practitioners' offices and clinics.
Graduates of the Health Care administration degree program are able to enter graduate school to earn a masters degree in health care administration.
Our college Health Care Administration program also is offered in Grand Rapids Michigan.
In the Grand Rapids Michigan health care administration degree program the college health care administration courses are offered in the evenings.
General college education requirements may be taken at a local Michigan college or university and transferred to fulfill the Ferris State health care degree requirements.
A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be earned at Ferris State in order for the college health care systems administration degree to be granted.
Earnings of health services managers vary by type and size of facility level of responsibility and geographic region.
Heads of clinical departments salaries average between $54 500 for respiratory care to $70 400 for rehabilitation services.
Nursing home administrators have an annual median salary of $49 500.
Bachelors Degree Health Care Administration Admission Requirements Applicants for admission to the Health Care Systems Administration degree program must have a 2.
0 GPA in high school or college course work and one year of high school algebra with a 'C-' or better.
Students that major in health care administration can enter the health care administration bachelor degree program from any associate degree program or directly from high school.
Bachelors Degree Health Care Administration College Graduation Requirements The Health Care Systems Administration degree program at Ferris State leads to a bachelor of science degree.
Graduation from the health care administration major requires a minimum 2.
College Students that major in health care administration must earn a 'C' or better in major courses and meet all general education requirements as outlined on the General Education Michigan website.
Also college students that major in health care administration must either have an ACT math sub score of 24 or better complete MATH 115 or pass a proficiency exam.
Seven of the Ferris' Michigan colleges are based in Big Rapids Michigan - Allied Health Sciences Arts and Sciences College of Business Education and Human Services Optometry Pharmacy and Technology.
rofessional and Technological studies and Kendall College of Art and Design are based in Grand Rapids Michigan.
College courses are also offered at several Michigan College campus sites through the Ferris State University Center for Extended Learning.
Bachelors Degree Health Care Systems Administration Michigan.Please request free information from as many schools as necessary to make the right decision for you - it is risk free and there is no obligation.
An Online Health Care Degree can offer training relevant to many different fields of the vast health care industry from administration and medical coding to advanced nursing.
Some health care training may have practical and clinical aspects so you should check with your college of choice to see what they offer.
What are the advantages of an Online Health Care Degree.
An Online Health Care Degree can make your health care education possible when you might be prevented from enrolling on a full-time residential course.
This is particularly valuable if you are already in employment and do not wish to break your career or lose your income while you earn a degree.
You may also have family to look after and need to stay at home.
You can work in your own time from the comfort of your home computer often proceeding at a speed which suits you.
A full range of up-to-date teaching materials your experienced tutors and communication with other students are just the touch of a key away.
An online college can offer a wide range of facilities which will make your Online Health Care Degree education a dynamic and rewarding experience.
Will an Online Health Care Degree help me to find a better job.
Education and training such as that provided by Online Health Care Degree are often the number one requirement when looking for either a first job or a more senior position.
An Online Health Care Degree from a good online school or college will give you a qualification which potential employers will respect.
Clayton College of Natural Health Here's to your health.
More than 20 000 students and graduates have chosen Clayton College of Natural Health (CCNH) to study holistic nutrition naturopathy herbology and natural health.
As the world's leading college of natural health CCNH will More Details.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Technical University will prepare you for business and technology related fields.
Grand Canyon University Online Dont Miss a Day of Your Future.
Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education Ken Blanchard College of Business College of Nursing and College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Regis University Online MBA Program At the Regis University Online MBA program you can earn your masters degree in 2 years.
Regis University has the largest online MBA program with more than 12 000 students currently earning their degree online.
South University South University enjoys a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and personalized student attention.
Enjoy the convenience of earning your bachelors degree entirely online.
Saint Leo University Online Earn your MBA online at Saint Leo University and take advantage of a quality education combined with the convenience of the internet.
American Sentinel University American Sentinel University offers degree programs that combine the best of traditional education with online flexibility.
Business IT Computer Science and Nursing programs available.
AIU Online Earn an online degree that really matters from AIU Online.
Top Schools AIU Online University of Phoenix Ellis College DeVry University Kaplan University Walden University Westwood Online Home.Enter your zip/postal code to find schools in your area.
Performing the non-clinical portion of your education with online classes makes earning a health care degree much easier for thousands of people.
Courses towards an online health care degree are designed with flexibility in mind so you don't have to radically alter your lifestyle to improve your career.
Saving time and money by not commuting to campus you will still have time for family friends and work.
You can attend the university that is best for you because you are no longer limited by location.
The right health care program is not necessarily the one that is closest to home anymore.
An online health care degree equips you with the skills and the credentials to enter the health care industry with confidence.
From nursing to management the online health care degree that you are in search of is on Achieveyourcareer.
We work to provide you with the best listing or reputable online schools such as: University of Phoenix American Intercontinental University and Walden University.
com are accredited institutions with degree programs that are no less challenging or valuable than traditional higher education schooling.
Request more information from one of the school's on Achieveyourcareer.
You can learn more about health care programs offered online and work towards a better career.
Earn a degree at any level from a bachelor degree online to an online master degree or even an Online PHD.
in Mental Health Counseling MS degree in Nursing (RN - Master.
s in Nursing) MS Degree in Nursing - Informatics Master of Public Health Master of Public Health - Community Health Ph.
in Human Services - Family Studies and Intervention Ph.
in Human Services - Social Policy Analysis and Planning Ph.These services exist to assist individuals and families when the circumstances of life become too difficult for them to deal with on their own.
Get matched with Health Care degree programs and schools.
Health Care Degrees As the health care field grows so does the demand for trained professionals.
This has led to the development of numerous education and training programs for various facets of the field.
All 50 states have at least one health and human services program that leads to a degree for example and many states (such as New York and California) offer more than 20 programs.
Many community colleges offer associate degrees in one of the core disciplines in this field as well as programs that lead to certification in specialized areas.
Often the goal of these two-year programs is vocational preparing the student with the certification necessary to start working as a professional practitioner with minimal delay.
Most employers prefer applicants for these positions to have some work experience or a degree or both even for entry-level positions.
Most states and private agencies require a master's degree in social work for any position which provides clinical or consulting services as well as for most administrative positions.
Many states also require licensing or certification in addition to an advanced degree and clinical training for any professional holding a position in the field.
Census Bureau a college degree has the potential to nearly double one's annual income.
Choice of schools is of key importance when pursuing a degree.
The serious student should investigate and compare the curricula of many schools that offer degrees in these fields before deciding on the course of study and the degree which will lead to a desired career.
Find out more information on Health Care degrees and certifications.
Degree Programs and Careers in the Health Care Field Job opportunities in the health care field are abundant both in the private sector and at every level of government.
Each state has a Health and Human Services division for instance and the federal government's Department of Health and Human Services is one of the largest employers in the field.
Among the most popular careers in this field are: Psychology Psychology is a field of study and academic discipline involving the study of human behavior and mental processes.
The goal of psychologists is to describe understand predict and modify behavior.
Counseling A counselor provides advice and guidance to people with temporary problems too great for them to solve on their own.
These problems can be of a personal nature or might concern family education mental health or career decisions.
Forensic Medicine Forensic science (or as it more commonly called forensics) is the field in which science is applied to law enforcement and the legal system.
Health Care Administration and Management Health care administrators managers and executives plan manage coordinate and supervise the delivery of health and medical services in numerous venues.
Physical Therapy The goal of physical therapists is to improve the overall physical functionality of their patients.
They accomplish this goal using a variety of methods including guided exercise massage or dance among others.
Caregivers of many varieties are in high demand in any number of locations from traditional venues such as hospitals and physicians' offices to clinics industry academia and the military.
Pharmacy A pharmacist is both qualified and licensed to dispense medicines and drugs on the written orders of physicians.
Pharmacists also educate and counsel patients about the use risks and potential side effects of these substances.
Public Health Public health is an effort to promote maintain preserve and improve the health of large populations which constitute a society.
This general term includes numerous wide-ranging initiatives to ensure public health including disease prevention life prolongation and citizen education.
Radiology Radiology is the branch of medical science that specializes in internal imaging.
This can involve the use of high-energy radiation such as x-rays or other technologies.
It also includes the use of radiant energy for therapeutic purposes such as the treatment of cancer.
Financial Outlook for Careers in the Health Care Field According to the U.
Department of Labor "some of the fastest growing occupations in the Nation" are in the area of health care and human services.
Job opportunities should be abundant during the next decade.
The growth rate for positions which provide individual and family services for example is anticipated to grow at more than twice the rate of all jobs in general.
Entry-level social and human service assistant positions could see the greatest rise demanding as many as 46 percent more trained personnel during the coming decade as are currently employed in these positions.
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Health care degree: online health care degree, health education, health care education, online masters degree health education, health care administration degree and more...
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