Among those who are currently pursuing their nursing courses, around 50 to 60 per cent of them want to join as home care nurses: Usha Prabhakar
With healthcare industry expanding and medical facilities being given at doorsteps, a new career trend has been emerging in the health sector, that is of – home nurse. Leaving their jobs in reputed private and government hospitals many trained and qualified young men and women are choosing to become home nurses.
Among those who are currently pursuing their nursing courses, around 50 to 60 per cent of them want to join as home care nurses, says Usha Prabhakar, Senior Director at HealthCare at Home, a healthcare provider.
To be a home nurse, one needs to have the minimum basic qualification of nursing which is either a GNM or BSc Nursing. Apart from this, the person also needs to be registered with the state medical council. It is preferred if the person has spent one to two years of their initial career in a hospital.
"Earlier also, home nurses were there but it was more of an unorganised sector, where people would just hire a nurse for their loved ones to take care of them at home. But now it is an organised sector where certain protocols are being followed, the way it runs in western countries," says Prabhakar.
"To be a home nurse, one has to have hands on training in life saving techniques and infection control. In case of an emergency, a nurse should be able to save the patient's life," she adds.
Many young men and women are chosing home nursing over a hospital job and those who have worked in hospitals for long feel that home nursing is what gives them job satisfaction.
These caregivers work in association with other care providers like a doctor or a physiotherapist but unlike at the hospital where their attention is divided among many patients, as a home nurse, they have the complete responsibility of a single person.
Joseph TC, a home nurse in Delhi, who is taking care of a cancer patient, says: "At the hospital we have many cases to attend to and it becomes very stressful at times. We are also not able to give our hundred per cent to the patient, this is the reason I left my job at hospital. I am now working as a home nurse and taking care of a cancer patient."
"I have to take care of the patient's personal hygiene, nutrition and vital stats and create a homely environment for the patient. I feel I am able to give my hundred per cent to the patient this way," he adds.
Another Home Nurse, Tintu J, who is based in Delhi says: "The concept of home nurses is a new concept in India. It is a good choice for nurses because the job timing is flexible and it also gives us 100 per cent satisfaction in terms of discharging our duties. When I joined this profession I did for a sense of service towards others but when I worked at a hospital it was very difficult to properly take care of patients. As a home nurse I am the owner of a particular patients case."
Since India is a hospital tourism hub, Indian healthcare providers are respected globally, and this includes the nursing community as well. Nurses trained in India, including home nurses are recruited by countries like Abu Dhabi, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and UK.
Wider reach
Many young men and women are chosing home nursing over a hospital job and those who have worked in hospitals for long feel that home nursing is what gives them job satisfaction. Since India is a hospital tourism hub, Indian healthcare providers are respected globally, and this includes the nursing community as well. Nurses trained in India, including home nurses are recruited by countries like Abu Dhabi, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and UK.
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