Home Health Nurse Salary and Job Description
Written by:
Wilson College Online
• Sep 10, 2026
Nurses are the engine of the healthcare sector. They ensure patient safety, administer physician-ordered care, and provide support environments for recovery. For patients with limited mobility or other conditions who require in-home care, home health nurses provide an invaluable service. The U.S. population aged 65 and older is projected to increase by 42% between 2022 and 2050, from 58 million to 82 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these older adults will need specialized services, which are key to what a home health nurse does.
Many home health agencies and hospice organizations prefer registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Working RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can increase their salary potential and learn how to care for older adults and patients with disabilities through a BSN program.
What Does a Home Health Nurse Do?
Home health nurses provide care and services to people in their own homes rather than in hospitals, clinical units, or nursing homes. They develop care plans alongside physicians and specialists, monitor patients’ conditions, administer treatment and medication, and communicate care needs to family members. Home health care allows patients to receive treatment and recover where they’re most comfortable.
Typical duties of home health nurses include:
- Monitoring and documenting vital signs
- Providing medication according to treatment plans
- Assisting with dressing and bathing
- Administering IVs and catheters
- Communicating with physicians about patients’ treatment responses
- Educating family members and caregivers on patient support and care
Caring for Patients at Home
Home health nurses often provide specialized care to patients with chronic illnesses or who are recovering from acute conditions or surgeries.
For example, patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia will likely need medication to manage their pain. Their treatment plans could also include physical or occupational therapy. Understanding the timing of medication and physical exertion is important for patients managing this condition, as well as their loved ones.
For patients recovering from surgery, home health care can be especially important after being discharged. Home health nurses can ensure that patients are progressing in their recovery without needing to visit a hospital.
How to Become a Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses are required to be either licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or RNs. A home health nurse’s duties vary by their certification: LPNs are permitted to provide basic care, such as taking vital signs and helping with dressing and bathing, while RNs can provide more advanced care, including administering IVs and collaborating on treatment plans.
Degrees and Licensure
Becoming an LPN requires earning a high school diploma or a GED certificate and completing a state-approved LPN training program. Graduates can then take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed.
Becoming an RN requires completing a professional nursing certificate program or earning an ADN or a BSN degree. Graduates can then take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the exam, which covers topics such as patient care and safety, pharmacology, and risk management.
In the modern healthcare sector, many employers prefer to hire RNs with a bachelor’s degree. BSN programs provide higher-level courses, including the opportunity to study specialized care for older adults and people with complex conditions. Practicing LPNs and RNs can earn BSN degrees through flexible programs that allow them to keep working.
Work Experience and Certifications
Home health care agencies usually prefer home health nurses with one to two years of clinical experience in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities and a background in acute care.
Home health nurses who want to provide specialized care can also seek certifications, including:
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
- Certified Breast Care Nurse (CBCN)
- Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN)
Necessary Skills
Home health nurses often face different issues than nurses who work in hospitals. Hospitals are controlled environments, with standards for cleanliness and strict timelines for administering care. Home care means navigating patients’ living spaces and schedules, often without support from other caregivers. Key skills for home health nurses include:
- Adaptability to different care conditions
- Independent problem-solving and decision-making
- Expertise in providing supportive and palliative care
- Ability to interpret vital signs and strategize care plans with physicians
- Strong communication, both to interpret patient needs and to educate family members and other caregivers
Home Health Nurse Salary and Job Growth
Home health nurses earned a median annual salary of approximately $75,500 as of March 2025, according to Payscale, with the top 10% earning more than $93,000. Factors such as experience, specialization, and certifications can all affect salary range.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts job openings for RNs, including home health RNs, to increase by 5% between 2024 and 2034, faster than the labor market as a whole. Nurses are always in demand, and the aging population of the United States is expected to mean increased demand for home health nurses.
Earn Your Degree and Become a Home Health Nurse
Home health nurses provide crucial at-home care that helps patients manage complex conditions and live healthier lifestyles. Home healthcare agencies and visiting nursing services often prefer to hire nurses with more education and experience, as home health nurses operate with significant autonomy. Working nurses interested in careers in home care should consider nursing programs that allow them to earn a BSN on their own terms.
Wilson College Online’s RN to BSN and LPN to BSN programs allows nurses to continue working while pursuing their education that can advance their careers without the need to relocate. Courses cover topics critical to home health care, including nutrition, health assessment, and healthcare ethics.
Begin your career as a home health nurse with one of Wilson College Online’s BSN programs.
Recommended Readings
9 Essential Soft Skills for Nursing
ADN vs. BSN: Which Degree Is Right for You?
Sources:
American Nurses Association, How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Payscale, Average Home Health Nurse Hourly Pay
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurse
U.S. Census Bureau, Older Population and Aging
U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 National Population Projections Tables: Main Series
