Key takeaways
- Match the qualification to the task — an attendant cannot do injections or IV lines.
- Insist on ID and police verification before anyone stays in your home.
- Ask how quickly a replacement is provided if the staff member is unwell or not a good fit.
- Get pricing, shift timings and leave rules in writing.
Start with what the patient actually needs
Write down the daily tasks: bathing and diaper changes, feeding, medicines, injections, dressings, catheter or Ryles tube care, oxygen or suction. Tasks involving medicines, injections, IV lines or wounds need a qualified nurse. Personal care and supervision can be handled by a trained attendant.
Also decide on hours: a few visits a day, a 12-hour day or night shift, or 24-hour live-in care.
12 questions to ask any home nursing provider
- 1. What is the staff member’s qualification — GDA, ANM, GNM or B.Sc. Nursing?
- 2. How many years of home or hospital experience do they have with similar patients?
- 3. Is the staff member ID verified and police verified?
- 4. Can I choose a male or female nurse?
- 5. Who supervises the nurse, and how often does a supervisor check in?
- 6. What happens if the nurse falls ill or does not report for duty?
- 7. How quickly can you send a replacement if we are not satisfied?
- 8. What exactly is included in the charge, and what costs extra?
- 9. How are weekly offs and leave handled for live-in staff?
- 10. Will the nurse follow our doctor’s prescription and keep a daily care record?
- 11. Can you arrange equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen or air mattress?
- 12. What is your process in an emergency?
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider cannot tell you the staff member’s qualification, refuses to share verification, asks for large advance payments without a written agreement, or promises that an attendant can do injections and IV drips. Unqualified staff performing medical procedures is a safety risk.
Making the first day go smoothly
Share the discharge summary and medicine list on the first day. Show the nurse where supplies are kept, explain the patient’s routine and preferences, and agree on how they will update the family. A short written routine stuck near the bed helps every shift follow the same plan.
Keep reviewing the care
Check the daily care chart, look at the patient’s skin, mood and appetite, and speak up early if something is not right. A good provider welcomes feedback and adjusts quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What qualification should a home nurse have?
For injections, IV lines, wound care and tube care, choose an ANM, GNM or B.Sc. Nursing qualified nurse. For bathing, feeding, mobility and companionship, a trained GDA attendant is usually enough.
Should a home nurse be police verified?
Yes. Any nurse or attendant working in your home, especially live-in staff, should have ID and police verification before starting.
Can I request a replacement nurse?
Most reputable providers offer a replacement if the staff member is unwell or not the right fit. Ask how quickly this happens before you book.
This guide is general information for families, not medical advice. Always follow your treating doctor’s instructions. In an emergency call 108 / 112.