When it comes to nurses, there are many characteristics and skills that they share among each other; with regards to this, sufficient skills and knowledge as a nurse is needed, you can try applying forrn to nponline for further knowledge and skills enhancement that will give you better performance with your work. Although these common traits are present in everyone, there are some other attributes you should look for when you are going to do home care. This is different to typical care because you are inviting an outsider into your personal space, and there is a certain risk associated with that. There are a lot of different circumstances that could present themselves to a nurse working in a patient’s home that they wouldn’t encounter at a hospital or nursing home. Look for redeeming characteristics when considering providing home elderly care or services of another sort at home.
Respect
There is a huge difference between the behavior of a nurse at a hospital or clinic and at home. In a clinical setting, the doctor’s word is law. No patient may argue with the doctor’s orders. A nurse in this situation will carry out the doctor’s instructions, and will place these above the needs of the patient. However, this attitude isn’t going to carry over into a home. An in home nurse needs to be respectful of the patient and their wishes above all else. In addition to this, patients have a tendency to say no to regular medication. These protests may be more vehement in a home setting. Instead of forcing them to do it through aggression as you see matrons at a hospital doing, you may have to use gentler, more persuasive tactics to get them to do what they have to.
Tact
There are certain rules that apply in a hospital with regards to friends and family members of the patient. Visiting times are a lot more limited in a hospital than in a home. The behavior of patients within the hospital room as well as their visitors can be monitored and controlled too. However, at home this is going to be very different. For one, hospital food is out of the question. Everyone who visits wants to be a caregiver. This cannot be done. You need to exercise tact and delicacy when approaching all visitors to the home. However, it is important that they be educated in what is good for the patient and what isn’t.
Flexibility
A home setting is one that is constantly changing, unlike a hospital. There may be many instances throughout a day where you find yourself in a completely new situation. Flexibility in incredibly important when you are considering becoming an at-home caregiver. If you can’t readily adapt to changing situations, this isn’t the line of work for you. There is going to be a lot more diversity in your patients, with many different needs and attitudes. You may find yourself having to work different hours based on the patient’s condition. Things like cooking, medication and cleaning need to be done on different levels based on the home that you are going to be staying in.
In the end, both types of nurses are equally skilled, except in different ways. If you love routine, discipline, control and precision, your talents may lie in hospital care instead of home care. However, if you feel like you have the necessary skills, flexibility and tact to oversee a patient in their house, it is a noble and challenging calling. Be prepared for anything!
