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kabia
Student
Luton, England, United Kingdom
2
Questions
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what is my job as a registered nurse, when nursing a patient in his or her own home
I AM A REGISTERED ADULT GENERAL NURSE EXPEC #general TING TO START NURSING PATIENTS IN THEIR OWN HOME
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Suzanne Swain Brint
Nursing
169
Answers
Santa Monica, California
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hello Kabia,
This is Sue and I am a retired oncology nurse from the United States. I worked with cancer patients for over 30 years.
Taking care of patients in their own home is called home health nursing in the United States. Depending on the scope of practice in the UK, your duties will most likely include the following:
1. Following the physician's orders for medications, check of vital signs, wound care and dressing changes, management of any equipment needed by the patient, administering IV meds or parenteral nutrition, care of feeding tubes and careful patient assessment of progress or decline.
2. Ongoing observation and assessment of the patient's home surroundings: is there enough food? It the home safe and clean? Are there any warnings that the patient is at risk from others?
3. Documentation of your visit and communication with the ordering physician as required.
4. Ensuring that the patient has follow-up appointments as needed.
Home nursing is challenging and the RN must have excellent assessment skills. The RN must be kind, confident, and instill trust as you are entering into the patient's home.
I hope this in part answers your question.
Best to you,
Sue, RN
This is Sue and I am a retired oncology nurse from the United States. I worked with cancer patients for over 30 years.
Taking care of patients in their own home is called home health nursing in the United States. Depending on the scope of practice in the UK, your duties will most likely include the following:
1. Following the physician's orders for medications, check of vital signs, wound care and dressing changes, management of any equipment needed by the patient, administering IV meds or parenteral nutrition, care of feeding tubes and careful patient assessment of progress or decline.
2. Ongoing observation and assessment of the patient's home surroundings: is there enough food? It the home safe and clean? Are there any warnings that the patient is at risk from others?
3. Documentation of your visit and communication with the ordering physician as required.
4. Ensuring that the patient has follow-up appointments as needed.
Home nursing is challenging and the RN must have excellent assessment skills. The RN must be kind, confident, and instill trust as you are entering into the patient's home.
I hope this in part answers your question.
Best to you,
Sue, RN