The Life of a Home Health Nurse

November 30, 2011

The life of a home health nurse is one that can be very rewarding in many ways.  I get to begin each day by taking my two small children to daycare.  This is a privilege in itself because I would not likely be able to do this in other fields of nursing. 

My day at work usually begins with a brief review of which patients I will see that day and the plan of care for each one.  It is then time to begin the favorite part of my job – the visits to my patients’ homes.

A visit to the patient’s home is more than just a time to meet his or her medical needs.  It is a time of interaction in which a caring relationship usually develops. 

I am more than just a nurse to my patients.  Besides being their friend and one of the few people they see and talk to each week, I often get to help them with such tasks as watering plants, organizing grocery lists, or other activities of their daily living.  In return, they share many wives’ tales and life lessons learned through years of experience. 

I usually feel a deep sense of gratification upon leaving their homes.  In addition to the fulfillment and enjoyment I get from seeing my patients, I also appreciate the times when I am driving and getting in and out of their homes.  The opportunity to have time outside of my workplace is not an option in many jobs, and I am thankful for it.

On the surface, home health nursing may not appear to be as a thrilling or exciting as some other jobs in the medical field.  It is a job, however, in which I get to see my results and know that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life. 

My heart is fulfilled, my schedule is flexible, and I am able to be there for my family whenever they need me.  These intangibles make it a rewarding career choice and one of which I am blessed to have been awarded the opportunity.

Leah Trevathan
CareAll Management, Nashville, TN
ltrevathan@yahoo.com