Home health nurses provide medical care to people in their homes. A home health nurse may be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or a certified nursing assistant (CNA). A home health nurse may prescribe medications, order tests, coordinate care with doctors, or help with activities of daily living. While some families hire home health nurses directly, others work through an agency. The cost of hiring a home health nurse depends on their credentials and experience, as well as the location and services provided.
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Many home health nurses provide the same kinds of medical care as nurses in other settings; they just do so in their patients’ homes. For example, they may care for someone who is recovering from an injury or a surgery, or someone who has a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Some home health nurses work for insurance companies and instead of providing medical care, they conduct health assessments to determine whether someone qualifies for an insurance policy or a home health service.
Common job responsibilities and duties of home health nurses include:
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Home health nurses have different education levels, medical backgrounds, and certifications. A home health nurse may be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or a certified nursing assistant (CNA).
An APRN is a nurse who has an advanced nursing education. APRNs are also referred to as Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and are licensed to practice independently. Medical services provided by APRNs include:[01]
To become an APRN, someone must first become an RN and then complete an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean salary for APRNs working in a home health setting in the United States was about $149,000 per year in 2022.[02]
RNs can do many of the same things an APRN does. However, RNs aren’t permitted to practice independently, so they must work with doctors to create care plans rather than creating them on their own. Among other services, RNs are trained to:[03]
RNs also often:
RNs must have an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and must pass the National Council Licensure Examination and any state-specific tests. The mean salary for RNs working in a home health setting in the United States was $82,920 per year in 2022.[02]
LPNs and LVNs are certified to provide some of the same services that RNs and APRNs do, including:
Unlike an RN, an LPN and an LVN don’t administer intravenous (IV) medications or blood transfusions.[04]
To become an LPN or an LVN, one must first receive a Practical Nursing Diploma and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination. In 2022, the mean salary for LPNs and LVNs working in home health in the United States was $56,370 per year.[02]
CNAs are health care professionals that work closely under RNs, LPNs, and LVNs, and provide basic nursing support, such as:
CNAs must complete a nursing assistant training program and successfully pass a state-certified CNA exam.[05] The mean salary for a CNA working in home health in the United States was $32,180 per year in 2022.[02]
Yes, nurses and nursing assistants are required to have ongoing education and training. In addition to state and national requirements for continuing education (CE), it’s common for employers to require nurses and nursing assistants to complete routine training, such as basic and advanced life support, techniques for preventing falls and injuries, and infection-control procedures.[06]
Most families use a combination of personal funds and money from public programs to pay for home care. The cost of hiring a home health nurse varies depending on your location and the nurse’s background, experience, and education. Typically, the more experience and education a nurse has, the more it will cost to hire them. Based on an annual mean salary range of $32,180 per year for a CNA to $149,000 for an APRN, hiring a home health nurse by the hour could cost between $18 per hour to $75 per hour or more.
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There are two options when hiring a home health nurse: hire them directly or work through an agency.
If you plan to hire nurse directly, you’ll need to create a job advertisement, set up a payroll system, and manage the hiring process. As you begin writing a job description, consider the following:
In addition to the job requirements, talk with your loved one about what kind of person they’d feel most comfortable having in their home. When interviewing candidates, seek to understand how trustworthy, personable, and reliable they seem.
Home health care agencies can help you find professional and trusted home health professionals. You’ll work closely with the agency’s representatives to establish what kind of medical or home care nursing support your loved one needs. Because agencies often employ many nurses who have a wide range of experience and availability, they usually can find a nurse quickly. They also handle all background checks and employment paperwork.
Read more:6 Steps for Hiring an In-Home Caregiver
If you’re ready to hire a home health nurse, we can help. At no cost to you, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can offer personalized support throughout the hiring process.
Our experts will work to understand your situation, provide a list of recommended home health agencies and nurses near you, and can even set up interviews. With a network of more than 2,000 home care providers, we can help find the right fit for your loved one.
Medicare won’t pay for long-term care, but it generally will cover short periods of home health care when there’s a formal care plan created by a physician, and when the services are provided by a Medicare-certified home health agency.
While some states allow family members to be paid caregivers, others don’t. If your loved one’s state will allow a family member to be a paid home health nurse — such as via a state’s Medicaid program — you’ll need the same education, licensing, and credentials as you would for any other patient.
Yes, according to Genworth’s cost of care report, non-continuous home health care is typically less expensive than a nursing home, but costs depend on care needs. In 2024, a semi-private room in a nursing home cost about $9, 277 per month. The monthly median cost for a home health aide was $6, 483.
They have the same education and training, but private duty nurses tend to focus on fewer patients than home health nurses, and on patients who have more complex medical needs. Home health nurses are more likely to work a 4- or 8-hour shift, whereas private duty nurses may work around-the-clock.
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2022). Scope of practice for nurse practitioners.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). May 2022 National industry-specific occupational employment and wage estimates. NAICS 621600 – home health care services.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. (2025, June 9). Levels of nursing explained.
Lambrych M. (2024, August 27). Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) vs. Registered Nurses (RN).
Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, eds. (2022). Scope of practice. In: Foundational Concepts. Chippewa Valley Technical College.
Nurse.org. (2025, February 3). Nursing continuing education (CE) requirements by state.
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