Home Health Nurse Practitioner: Career Guide
An NP who specializes in at-home medical care is called a home health nurse practitioner. These essential clinicians help coordinate services and improve outcomes for patients with a range of diagnoses and illnesses.
Home health medical services are an essential part of many patients’ lives. Some receive in-home care after a hospital stay, while others may need home health nursing support for their entire lives. As these services evolve and the U.S. population ages, patients who rely on in-home care tend to be older and sicker, making excellent nursing care even more essential.
Nurse practitioners work in private agencies, hospice organizations, palliative care specialty groups, and more to give patients with limited mobility access to care. Let’s go over what it’s like to be an NP in this field and how to get started.
What Does a Home Health Nurse Practitioner Do?
Home health NPs direct advanced medical care for patients in their homes. These advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) manage chronic conditions, post-surgical recovery, and palliative care needs, helping patients maintain their health and stay out of the hospital.
Home health NP responsibilities include:
- Conducting in-home assessments to evaluate a patient’s overall health, medication management, and treatment progress.
- Developing and adjusting care plans based on the patient’s needs, collaborating with physicians, nurses, and therapists.
- Providing disease management and education for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and COPD.
- Performing minor procedures and treatments such as wound care, injections, and lab draws.
- Coordinating care with home health RNs, aides, family members, and caregivers to ensure patients receive the necessary support.
Essential Strengths of a Home Healthcare Nurse Practitioner
- Independence: Without the immediate support of a hospital team, home health NPs must have the autonomy and experience to make independent, informed decisions about patient care.
- Strong communication skills: Explaining treatment plans, educating patients and families, and coordinating with healthcare teams requires clear and effective communication.
- Adaptability: Every home is different, and NPs must adjust to varying conditions, family dynamics, and levels of patient engagement.
- Decision-making: Home health patients often have complex health histories and multiple diagnoses, so advanced evaluation and critical thinking skills are a must.
- Organizational skills: Managing multiple home visits, documentation, and care coordination requires excellent time management and efficiency.
Home Health Nurse Practitioner: Salary Averages
A nurse practitioner working in home health makes $146,850 per year on average. What you earn as an NP will depend on your experience, specialty, and additional certifications you pursue. Location also has a big impact on what you earn as an NP, so if you’re open to a move, consider the states with the highest income for nurse practitioners:
How to Become a Home Health Nurse Practitioner: 5 Steps
It takes at least six years (and likely more) to become an NP. See the steps below to learn more about nurse practitioner schooling and advanced practice credentialing.
Step 1: Become an RN
Start by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program. NP programs likely require at least a BSN, but some RN-to-MSN programs have more flexible admissions policies, so you can decide whether an ADN or BSN is better for you.
Once you graduate, you’ll need to take the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to begin working. This test assesses whether you’re ready for practice as an entry-level nurse, and it’s an adaptive exam with between 75 and 145 questions. Once you pass, your state may have an additional process for licensure, so see your state board of nursing for more information.
Step 2: Gain Experience
NP programs tend to prefer applicants with clinical experience, and many require at least a year of RN work before you can apply. Consider one or more of the following areas if you’re pursuing advanced practice in home health:
- Home health nursing
- Long-term care nursing
- Med-surg nursing
- Long-term acute care (LTAC)
- Hospice nursing
- Palliative care nursing
- Wound care nursing
- Case management
- Pediatric nursing
Step 3: Attend an Advanced Practice Program
To become an NP, you’ll need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited program. Home health NPs tend to choose a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program. Be prepared to take courses like advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, and more.
You’ll also rotate through clinical areas, and you may have some choice about the specialties you experience. Consider requesting a preceptor in home health, long-term care, or an adjacent area.
Step 4: Gain National Certification and State Licensure
While there are not currently any national specialty certifications offered for NPs inhome health, nurse practitioner certification options that would prepare you for this specialty include the following:
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Certified (FNP-C), offered through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certification (AGPCNP-BC), offered by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (FNP-BC), offered by the ANCC
In addition to a national certification, you’ll need to apply for licensure in your state to begin practicing. Each state has specific NP licensing requirements, which typically involve submitting proof of education, passing a background check, and maintaining your national certification.
Step 5: Find Your First Roles
Now it’s time to start applying for home health NP jobs. Some NPs transition into home healthcare immediately, while others start in primary care, hospice, or geriatrics before specializing in home-based care. If you’re looking for support as you’re writing your first NP resume, check out our nurse practitioner resume writing tips and NP cover letter.
Home Health NP FAQ
Can a nurse practitioner order home health services?
Yes, due to pandemic-related legislative changes, NPs can order medical and case-management services to patient’s homes. This practice scope expansion helps patients access care, especially in rural areas where NPs are more likely to practice than physicians.
Do nurse practitioners do home visits?
Yes, NPs may visit patient’s homes to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and adjust treatment plans. However, most home visits are performed by RNs and nursing assistants, who tend to perform services such as tracheostomy care, lab collections, and wound treatment.
Find Advanced Practice Roles With IntelyCare
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