Care of patients in their homes, private duty....?

[Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN]

I live in a rural area of Indiana where the job ops are pretty limited. I've been driving for over an hour one way to get work as a nurse. I've been doing this for over 2 years now. So I have been looking at ways to make "okay" money as a nurse but not have to drive so far away. I was thinking that the one thing we have in our sleepy little town are a LOT of elderly people who could probably use my help right around here. Perhaps that is the key, then?

I'd love to be able to stay nearby to home, work 9-5 days with no weekends, no holidays, and finally be able to be with my family and not be exhausted. Can I offer to care for patient's in their homes, help with medications, do some personal care, cooking, etc. and be within my scope of practice? I was thinking that I would just accept cash for these services, but have no idea what a good rate to charge would be. If I could get 2-3 patients a week that I would see a day or two each week, it might pay me well enough to pull this off.

What does everyone else think of this?? I have thought about becoming a home health nurse through an agency, but I had actually hoped to just avoid some of the stress that's involved with that...such as documentation, labs, etc. I guess what I'm proposing is more respite care with some extras thrown in.

I'd like to make about 2,000 a month, if at all possible. If anyone has any suggestions or experience with this sort of "private duty" nursing, please let me know!

Thanks!

[smiller55]

You might want to talk to the Area Agency on Aging that serves your community/county. Many times they are looking for folks who are willing to assist the elderly in their homes. Another outlook for possible opportunities is your state Health and Human Services Dept. Again, there are programs that are lookoing for/need providers.

Here in my state, there is also a statewide respite network that is also available to folks trying to stay in their homes. Here they provide services to the elderly, adult with disabilities and children.

Just some thoughts. Good luck!!

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I live in a rural area of Indiana where the job ops are pretty limited. I've been driving for over an hour one way to get work as a nurse. I've been doing this for over 2 years now. So I have been looking at ways to make "okay" money as a nurse but not have to drive so far away. I was thinking that the one thing we have in our sleepy little town are a LOT of elderly people who could probably use my help right around here. Perhaps that is the key, then?

I'd love to be able to stay nearby to home, work 9-5 days with no weekends, no holidays, and finally be able to be with my family and not be exhausted. Can I offer to care for patient's in their homes, help with medications, do some personal care, cooking, etc. and be within my scope of practice? I was thinking that I would just accept cash for these services, but have no idea what a good rate to charge would be. If I could get 2-3 patients a week that I would see a day or two each week, it might pay me well enough to pull this off.

What does everyone else think of this?? I have thought about becoming a home health nurse through an agency, but I had actually hoped to just avoid some of the stress that's involved with that...such as documentation, labs, etc. I guess what I'm proposing is more respite care with some extras thrown in.

I'd like to make about 2,000 a month, if at all possible. If anyone has any suggestions or experience with this sort of "private duty" nursing, please let me know!

Thanks!

I do this 2x a week. I care for my Uncle's mother. Shes 95. Moderate dementia. Can't see too well and is hard of hearing.

I help her with bathing and dressing, do her hair and nails, give her her medications, light cleaning, make her lunch and make sure she eats it, take her for a walk if weather permits.

Paperwork is non-existent. Not sure if this would be the case if you were employed by an agency.