Nurse practitioners in home health

[LauraNP]

Hi,

I'm new here. I am a new grad NP and am considering a job in home health. Because of the restrictions on writing orders, the NPs are used as nurses with advanced assessment and diagnosis skills but seem to function pretty much as an RN. I'm wondering how other agencies use NPs (if at all) and what kind of satisfaction NPs in home health have with a such a role.

Laura Baker

[Tim-GNP]

I don't know what state you are in, but do what I did... if your state licensure permits, get a DEA number, a medicare and medicaid provider number, and go into the 'housecall' business. It could be very rewarding, indeed.

[LauraNP]

How did you do that? Did you set up your own practice? I am in NY and NPs need a collaborating physician here. How did you get around that when you set up your business? I would be interested in hearing more.

Laura