Inviting someone into your home to care for a person you love is a significant decision. These ten questions will help you evaluate any private nurse or care manager, including me.
1. Are you licensed in New York, and can I verify it?
A registered nurse practicing in New York must hold a New York license. The State Education Department's Office of the Professions offers online license verification, and a good nurse will give you the number without hesitation. My New York license number is 845354, and my NPI is 1821851114.
2. What is your experience with my loved one's situation?
Ask about experience with the specific diagnosis, equipment or age group. Experience with a ventilator, a feeding tube or dementia care is not interchangeable.
3. Who exactly will be caring for my loved one?
Will it be you every time, or a rotating group? Consistency matters, because a nurse who knows your loved one notices change.
4. What will you do, and what will you not do?
Ask for the scope in plain terms. Which tasks are included, and which belong to a doctor or another provider?
5. How will you communicate with us?
Ask how often you will hear from the nurse, in what form and how quickly you will be told when something changes.
6. What happens if you are sick or unavailable?
Every nurse has a bad day. Ask what the plan is and who would step in.
7. How do you work with the doctors?
Ask whether the nurse speaks directly with physicians and pharmacies, attends appointments and keeps a current medication list.
8. How do you handle emergencies?
You want clear answers about when the nurse calls the doctor, when 911 is appropriate and how the family is informed.
9. What does it cost, and how is it billed?
Ask for fees, minimums, cancellation terms and whether there is a contract. Private-pay practices are generally straightforward about this, and you should expect transparent answers.
10. Can I speak with a past client?
References can be revealing. Ask, and respect that families have privacy, so some may not be available.
Next step
If you would like to talk through these questions with me directly, a private consultation is the easiest place to start.
Let me take care of the rest.
Learn how Private Duty Nursing works, or share a few details and I will reach out personally.
Reserve Your ConsultationThis article is for general education and is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your loved one's own doctors and care team.