Home Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs Overview
Most healthcare providers work out of hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and other medical centers, but the demand for home health care services continues to rise. While the COVID-era stay-at-home mandates accelerated the adoption of home healthcare, studies have shown that these programs tend to lower costs and improve outcomes. This trend, combined with a projected 46% increase in employment for nurse practitioners over the next decade, makes home health nurse practitioner jobs worthy of consideration.
A home health nurse practitioner (NP) provides care to patients in their own homes, which can be advantageous for patients with chronic illnesses, limited mobility, or who live too far from a medical facility to receive the care they need. While home health services are often provided by RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), nurse practitioners’ greater scope of practice allows them to initiate care plans, prescribe medications, and carry out other advanced duties.
Licensed NPs can find part-time, full-time, contract, temporary, and per diem opportunities across the country. IntelyCare’s job board features a wide range of opportunities for nurse practitioners in addition to home health care, including telehealth NP jobs, wound care NP jobs, hospice NP jobs, and oncology NP jobs.
Home Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs: Education, Certification, and Skills
Nurse practitioners are highly trained medical professionals who are authorized to practice with a greater level of autonomy than registered nurses (RNs) or other nursing professionals. Referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), NPs are authorized to diagnose health conditions and order diagnostic tests, among other duties. Prospective nurse practitioners must work as an RN for at least one year before applying for an APRN program.
The next step is to pursue either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP). An MSN program can take up to two years to complete, while a DNP can take up to six years. A DNP generally provides higher pay than an MSN and may give you more access to leadership and administrative roles. Pursuing a DNP also may help you be more competitive in the job market.
After earning your degree, you’ll need to become certified from a nationally accredited certifying body such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or the National Certification Corporation (NCC). Once you pass the exam, you can apply for licensure as an NP (also referred to as a certified registered nurse practitioner, or CRNP). If you’re focused on home health care, you may want to consider one or more relevant specialized certifications, such as:
- Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN)
- Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
The scope of practice for home health nurse practitioner jobs depends on the licensing state’s NP regulations. In restricted-practice states, which include California and Texas, NPs must work under the supervision of a physician and may have clinical restrictions. In reduced-practice authority states, which include Pennsylvania and Illinois, some of your job duties are limited unless you work as part of a larger entity. In full-practice states, such as New York and Arizona, you can practice autonomously.
It should come as no surprise that soft skills, such as the ability to communicate clearly and remain calm under pressure, are important for all nursing professionals. To be successful working nurse practitioner home health jobs, you must be able to work independently, have strong organizational and time management skills, and understand home health care regulations.
Home Health Care NP Jobs: Resume and Cover Letter
Your first step in the job application process is to submit a resume and cover letter. It’s important to customize these documents for each role you apply to, as generic cover letters and resumes don’t convey a genuine interest in the specific role. Your NP resume should provide a snapshot of your credentials, experience, and any accolades that will help you stand apart from the crowd. Be sure it reflects the skills and requirements listed on the home health nurse practitioner job description.
The cover letter provides an opportunity to explain your specific interest in the role and understanding of the facility and organization, while putting more of a human face on the specifics listed on your resume. If you’re applying for home health nurse practitioner jobs, the hiring manager will be looking for signs that you’re confident working independently and able to manage the logistics required to visit multiple patients throughout the day.
Interviewing for Home Health NP Jobs
The next step in the hiring process is the interview (sometimes a series of interviews), which gives hiring managers a chance to dig a little deeper and get a better sense of who you are and whether you’d be the right fit. While many of the questions will pertain to clinical knowledge, you’ll also be asked behavioral questions that gauge how you approach your work and how you might respond to a given situation. They’ll also be paying attention to your body language and personality to see whether you’d work well with their patients.
Since this job requires a self-motivated individual working independently, they’ll want to make absolutely sure that you represent their organization’s core values as you make your rounds. It’s a good idea to review common home health nurse interview questions and consider how you might answer them in the interview. Examples include:
- What strategies would you use to help patients stick to a daily health regimen?
- How would you assess (and address) safety hazards in a patient’s home?
- How do you keep a patient’s family informed and involved in their healthcare plan?
Home Health Nurse Practitioner Salary
In the U.S., the average salary for an NP in home health is about $146,850. However, what you earn depends on your level of experience, type of facility, employer, geographic location, and other factors. Wages in California and other states may be higher to match the cost of living, so it’s important to consider salary offers in context. The following states tend to offer the top salaries for NPs:
Apply to Top Home Health Nurse Practitioner Jobs Today
No matter how well-written your resume and cover letter are, or how much you’ve prepared for your next career move, finding the best opportunities makes a world of difference. Jump-start your job search with the help of our nationwide nursing job board and explore the latest NP jobs.