What does a Private Duty Nurse do?
Private Care Nurses work for healthcare systems, nurse staffing companies and directly for patients and their families. They help patients remain comfortable in their own homes while providing the care that they need. A Private Care Nurse helps individuals with chronic conditions and those recovering from medical procedures enjoy better health outcomes. By performing Private Care Nurse duties well, they positively impact patient satisfaction rates. As a result, they help their employers retain customers and grow their client base through patient referrals.
Private Duty Nurse skills and qualifications
To carry out the duties and responsibilities outlined in a Private Duty Nurse job description, a candidate needs certain skills. Listing the following qualifications in your Private Duty Nursing job description may help you attract quality candidates:
- Knowledge of standards and practices for managing chronic conditions
- Listening and interviewing skills to gather patient information necessary for assessments
- Interpersonal skills to help patients and their loved ones feel at ease
- Familiarity with medical equipment, such as infusion pumps, ventilators, glucometers and oxygen tanks
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop care plans and respond to patient needs
- Oral and written communication skills to educate patients and their loved ones, compile reports and maintain records
- Ability to move patients and heavy equipment
- Computer skills in using patient records management and other software programs
Private Duty Nurse experience requirements
During training programs, Nurses participate in hands-on clinical placements, giving them a chance to deliver direct patient care. As a result, a Private Duty Nurse may be able to succeed with no previous work experience. However, Nurses with more experience may be better able to care for patients with complex medical conditions. As a result, you may wish to state that one or more years of previous nursing work history is desirable in your Private Duty Nursing job description.
Private Duty Nurse education and training requirements
Typically, a candidate must have a Registered Nurse (RN) license to perform Private Care Nurse duties. States establish their own licensing requirements, but in most cases, prospective RNs must first earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing from a school accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (CCNE) or approved by the state Board of Nursing. After graduating, prospective RNs must usually pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to gain their licenses.
Some employers may wish to prioritize candidates who hold voluntary certification in a relevant specialty, such as the Wellness through Acute Care-Gerontology (ACCNS-AG) credential awarded by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (ACCN) or the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) designation granted by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center. You may also wish to list Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Red Cross as a required or desirable qualification in your Private Duty Nurse job description.
Private Duty Nurse salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Private Duty Nurse is $68,711 per year. Salaries vary based on education, experience, certification status and location.
Private Duty Nurse salary expectations
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Common salary:
31.51 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
11.70 -60.75 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Private Duty Nurse job description FAQs
What’s the difference between a Private Duty Nurse and a Home Health Nurse?
Private Duty and Home Health Nurses both care for patients in home settings, but they have different focuses. Generally, a Private Duty Nurse delivers advanced care to manage more complex conditions, while a Home Health Nurse assists with daily living tasks while providing basic care.
Who does a Private Duty Nurse report to?
The person a Private Duty Nurse reports to varies by employer type. Health systems and nurse staffing agencies usually have a Nurse Manager or Nurse Supervisor who oversees the work of multiple Private Duty Nurses. Those who work directly for the patient and their family would report to the patient or a designated loved one.
How can I make my private duty nursing job description appealing to candidates?
Summarize the benefits and perks of working for you in a bulleted list at the beginning of your job description to make your open position more appealing to candidates. You can mention health insurance, mileage reimbursement, flexible scheduling and continuing education allowances. In addition, consider listing the starting pay rate for the position, particularly if it’s highly competitive for your area.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
