Advice needed: new to home health

[nolenurse730]

Hi everyone! I am a new nurse and have been working full-time at a local hospital for 4 months. I was recently approached by my in-laws about possibly providing nursing care to my husband's grandmother. She doesnt have any major health issues but needs help with ADLs, medication administration and really just needs someone who can care for her on a regualr basis.

I think it is a great oppurtunity since it will allow for a flexible schedule and since she lives on the same property as my in-laws I'll get to visit everyone often.

My main questions are:

• What kinds of things do I need to do to be a self-employed nurse? I know I'll have to pay taxes on my income, but do I have to join an agency or organization?
  
• Are there any restrictions on practicing nursing privately (other than following the nurse practice act)?
  
• Should I get mal-practice insurance?
  
• How do I go about documentation of care?
  
• Suggestions on how to get started.
  

Thanks a bunch!

[caliotter3]

You always need to have malpractice insurance if you are working as a nurse. http://www.nso.com You do not need to join any organizations or agencies. Is this going to be private pay from the family? Either they will take out your employee taxes like a regular employer or you will be responsible. You can go to the IRS website for info, try getting Publication 17. It is the tax Bible for the common citizen. You do not have to do any documentation at all if the family does not require it. It doesn't have to go anywhere or be seen by anyone. Private duty nurses usually do not do documentation, or, if they do, they do a simple narrative rendition of what happened during the shift, just like you would for most hh cases. You can do this in a notebook or on loose leaf pages. Sign at the bottom as you normally would. No restrictions. All between you and the client. Best to draw up a written contract between you and the employer, so there are no questions down the road. If you are to be paid through third party sources, like Medicare or Medicaid or private health insurance, it is a different story with more strings attached. But you describe a private deal between you and the family. Should be easy. Good luck.

[KateRN1]

You know what they say about an attorney who represents himself, right? Well the same can be said of the nurse who agrees to be paid to care for a friend or a family member. It's a good way to ruin a career and a relationship.