Private duty nursing has a long history; in fact, it was a widespread practice throughout the late-nineteenth and early twentieth century. Back then, rather than the hospital having nurses on staff, patients would hire their own nurse to care for them for the duration of their illness. Although hospitals today have nurses on staff, private duty nurses are still available for care outside of hospitals. So, what is private duty nursing and how is it practiced in the modern age?
Private duty nursing is nursing care provided in a patient's home by either a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse. This allows the patient to receive continuous, personalized care outside of hospitals. Private duty nurses can provide ventilator care, catheter maintenance, administer IVs and feeding tubes, and perform other medical and general care tasks from the comfort of a patient's home. The length of visits from these nurses varies based on the patient's needs, ranging from brief visits to around-the-clock care.
Those who may need private duty nursing include those suffering from a chronic illness requiring intensive care, individuals with disabilities, and those needing end-of-life care. Patients requiring private duty care are often unable to perform necessary daily tasks and are sometimes unable to leave their homes without assistance.
The price of private duty nursing services varies based on how many hours the nurse is with the patient, the types of services rendered, and the supplies required to provide quality care. The price also varies depending on which state you live in.
Currently, the national average cost is $4000 per month and the median hourly rate is $20 per hour. You can use the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey to determine the average price of private duty care services in your area.
Medicare generally does not cover private duty nursing services. These services can either be paid out-of-pocket or through certain private insurance. Those needing care covered by Medicaid will need to seek home health services rather than private duty.
Although private duty nurses and home health aides both provide care outside of hospitals, there are differences between the two services. Private duty nurses work with patients and their families on a one-on-one basis. Private duty nurses may be self-employed, contractors, or employed through an agency or hospital.
These services are often long term and intended for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Home health nurses generally provide care to elderly, homebound patients. They are most often hired by agencies on an as-needed basis. Home health care is often short term and aimed at helping the patient recover from an illness, injury, or hospital stay.
When looking for a private duty nurse you want to find someone who will provide high-quality care. Here are several things to look for in a private duty nurse:
When searching for a private duty nurse you can choose to go through an agency or a registry. If you need private duty care as soon as possible it is best to go through an agency, as their nurses have likely been pre-screened. However, if you aren't in urgent need of care, you may choose to take your time personally selecting a private duty nurse from state or local registries.
Both private duty agencies and registries in your area can be found through an internet search. You can also ask friends and family members who have experience with hiring private duty nurses for their recommendations.
