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Home Health Nurse Specialist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewMany patients with chronic illness or injury choose to return or remain at home. These patients may have a support network in their homes, consisting of family, friends, and other hired support persons, but it is still necessary for many people with chronic illnesses or injuries to receive professional medical support to meet their medical, emotional, and social needs.
Many Home Health Nurse Specialists are also trained to address the needs of the elderly and in particular those with chronic illness. They are experts at assisting the elderly and their family to obtain the medical, social, and emotional support they need to maintain the best possible quality of life in their declining years.
As the population of the United States ages, as the baby-boomer generation reaches retirement age, and as people continue to live longer, past the age of 65, the need for professionals trained in the care of the elderly will only become greater. Clinical Nursing Specialists, who have advanced medical training, are amongst the most desirable professionals to fill the void and provide the expert care that the aging population needs.
Versatile nursing professionals, such as Clinical Nursing Specialists who are trained as Home Health Nurse Specialists will be particularly desirable as they are trained to deal with a variety of conditions, chronic and acute, that affect the elderly, but also adults and children.
Home Health Nurse Specialists work for larger medical organizations, both public and private institutions, and looks set to find ample opportunity for work in the future.
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Career RequirementsHome Health Nurse Specialists are required to train as Clinical Nursing Specialists prior to completing any advanced training in the field. They are required to have some advanced training in the nursing field. Most Clinical Nursing Specialists have advanced degrees. Approximately 93% of all CNSs have a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate certificate to compliment their training as an RN.
Home Health Nurse Specialists are required to have an active RN license and typically have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing to have obtained this qualification.
Specialist training in home health care is a requirement for this profession, typically met by the practical experience of each candidate. Experience is focused on outpatient care and in particular, the care of chronically ill patients who require regular check up from health care professionals and who may be receiving full time care or support from family members or other support persons.
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Job OutlookMost reports suggest that the care of chronically ill patients, and some acute patients, will shift outside of hospitals; in many cases, care of patients will take place in their own homes, with the assistance of trained medical professionals.
Home Health Nurse Specialists will have a bright future for employment for the immediate future, and their role will probably expand to include administrative, research, and educational duties to facilitate the best possible care for those treated at home.
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Career TrackSee Clinical Nurse Specialist
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CompensationSee Clinical Nurse Specialist
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