Families needing skilled nursing care at home often turn to private nurses for assistance. Private nurses provide treatments, monitor vital signs and deliver advanced care services from within a patient’s own home – but what does “private nurse” really mean, how much it costs, and which insurance policies should they consider when making this choice? Here is more insight.
Private duty nurses (also referred to as private nurses or “private duty RNs”) are registered or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who offer one-on-one medical care in patients’ homes, unlike home health nurses who typically visit multiple clients at once for shorter visits. Instead, private nurses typically work extended shifts (often overnight) to oversee clients’ more complex medical needs.
Nurses perform a range of clinical duties, such as:
- Administering medications, including intravenous (IV).
- Maintaining ventilation devices or tracheostomies.
- Changing dressings and providing wound care as necessary.
- Feeding via tubes and monitoring nutrition.
- Monitoring and reporting vital signs and symptoms
- Informing family members of potential treatment plans.
Private nurses tend to form close, trusting relationships with both their patients and their families through regular interactions.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Nurse?
Hiring a private nurse typically costs more than other in-home care options because you are paying for professional and licensed medical assistance rather than general support services.
According to various health care cost guides, private duty nursing fees vary based on your state, the nurse’s skill level and the level of care needed. Because private duty nurses offer a specialised, professional service, their care services can range between $50 to $130 hourly.
However, keep in mind that wages can increase rapidly when care needs extend from 8 – 24 hours of support a day, particularly in states with higher labor expenses or regulatory requirements. Prices can also be affected by different state regulations on private duty nursing, and depend on whether a nurse bills through Medicaid, long-term care programs, or private pay.
As an illustration of how wide-ranging rates may be:
- Florida lists a Medicaid rate of $32.23 per hour for certain private duty nursing services provided through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (ahca.myflorida.com).
- The Oregon Health Authority’s published Medicaid fee schedule estimates that Oregon will pay $94.53 per hour for private-duty RN care and $58.90 per hour for LPN care (source: oregon.gov).
- Colorado sets a Medicaid rate of $53.58 per hour for private-duty registered nurse services under its fee schedule, according to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (hcpf.colorado.gov) formula.
These examples demonstrate how private-duty nursing costs may vary significantly across the country, depending on which program covers the service and who provides the care.
What Are My Insurance Considerations as a Private Nurse?
As a private nurse, you are exposed to unique workplace risks. This is why many nurses often consider insurance. In some cases, depending on state laws, insurance may be mandatory.
Here are the key areas that a private nurse should keep in mind:
Professional Liability Insurance
Professional Liability protects your business against claims of negligence, misrepresentation or mistake, as well as document or paperwork errors. Claims made against a Professional Liability policy typically result from clients who allege that your services or employees have caused them to suffer some sort of financial damage. Professional Liability insurance may also be sold as Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance or medical malpractice insurance, depending on the industry that specific policies are designed to protect.
General Liability insurance
General Liability is designed to protect your business against bodily injury or property damage lawsuits from outside parties. Whether an accident is your fault or not, General Liability coverage may help protect your business against covered claims by paying defense costs and any damages up to your chosen policy limit.
What Type of Private Nursing Is Appropriate for Me?
As a nurse who would like to switch into this career path, here are three key points you should keep in mind:
- Your preferred working style: Do you prefer staying put for several hours at once, or switching patients frequently?
- Your clinical capabilities: Providing complex care (ventilators, IV medications) typically results in higher pay and greater responsibility.
- Pay structure: Will you work directly for families or through an agency/program?
BizInsure understands the importance of finding coverage tailored to your risk level and can help you find an insurance plan that matches it.
