Transitioning the critical care nurse from ICU to high-tech homecare

Critical care nurses are in a good position to take advantage of the changes in health care. They can build a career that will be on the cutting edge of the changes in technology and care delivery if they are willing to learn some new skills and practice in a more autonomous environment. Nurses who are new to the homecare setting need to know more about insurance systems, diagnosis coding, and outcomes tools and prepare themselves for the rapid growth of computer assisted technologies that are being introduced into the practice of homecare. They also need to take the whole continuum of care into consideration when planning care for patients in the home and to be aware of community and family supports that can enhance the patient's health related quality of life.