Private Nurses vs. Agency Nurses

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Deciding on the right caregiver for a loved one can seem like an impossibly daunting task. With many options available for private nurses and ones available from agencies, it can be hard to know what the best choice is. There are benefits and drawbacks to both nurse sources, so its important that each family evaluates their needs to decide on the best course of action.

Private Nurses

Pros

  • Can develop a very strong relationship between caregiver and patient
  • The overall experience is more personal, which may help hesitant patients open up to the experience of a nurse
  • There is the option of a live-in nurse in this scenario, as your loved one may be the only patient the nurse is looking after at the time

Cons

  • Can be left without a caregiver for your loved one if your nurse cannot show up due to sickness or another emergency
  • You’ll have to do credential checks, background checks, and reference checks by yourself
  • Finding the right fit for your family can be a long process. You’ll need to think about scheduling conflicts, frequency of needs, and potentially even conflict with other patients if your loved one is not the only person your nurse is seeing on a regular basis

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Agency Nurses

Pros

  • Thorough background checks are performed on all nursing staff
  • Replacements are available if your regular nurse calls in sick or otherwise cannot make the scheduled care time
  • Round the clock care is an option since the agency has many qualified, caring nurses to choose from on a regular basis; any schedule can be accommodated as a result
  • There are a lot of resources available to the entire family so that everyone can have their questions answered and receive assistance when needed

Cons

  • Nurse turnover may cause disruption for you and your family, as some patients may have difficulty accepting a new nurse after developing a trusting relationship with their first one

If you’re looking to hire a nurse, click here.