Private Duty Nursing Vs. Skilled Nursing
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In this blog, Sentido Health explores the key differences between private duty nursing and skilled nursing to help you determine which type of care best fits your family’s medical needs and lifestyle. Private duty nursing is ideal for individuals with chronic conditions or those who require long-term, consistent support at home. Skilled nursing, on the other hand, is typically recommended for short-term medical needs, such as recovery after surgery or hospitalization.
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Private duty nursing (PDN) provides personalized, long-term care in the home to support daily living and chronic conditions. It often involves consistent caregivers and focuses on comfort, routine, and quality of life.
Skilled nursing delivers short-term, medically intensive care—typically after surgery, hospitalization, or during recovery. It’s often provided in facilities or through home health agencies under physician supervision.
Both Skilled Nurses and PDN nurses can be LVNs or RN’s
Care setting and focus differ: PDN is ideal for long-term, supportive care at home. Skilled nursing is meant for short-term medical treatment.
Insurance coverage varies: Skilled nursing is often covered by Medicare or Medicaid when certain medical criteria are met. Private duty nursing may also be covered but depending on the insurance plan and specific medical needs, it might require prior authorization, special coverage, or, in some cases, private payment.
Choosing between the two depends on your loved one’s medical needs, lifestyle preferences, and coverage options. Sentido Health can help you find the right fit.
When you or a loved one needs nursing care, knowing your options is key. Two common types, private duty nursing (PDN) and skilled nursing, may sound alike but serve different purposes. Understanding how they differ can help you choose the care that best fits your medical needs, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
What Is Private Duty Nursing?
Private duty nursing is one-on-one, personalized care delivered in the comfort of home or wherever the patient goes. It supports daily health needs with a strong focus on building relationships, maintaining routines, and enhancing quality of life.
A private duty nurse may be a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) depending on the care required. These professionals are highly skilled; many have hospital or critical care backgrounds. The key difference isn’t the nurse’s qualifications, but the nature of the care: PDN usually focuses on ongoing, supportive care rather than short-term medical intervention.
Typical services include:
Personal care (bathing, grooming, dressing)
Medication reminders and administration
Vital sign checks
Ventilator or tracheostomy care
G-tube feeding and care
Suctioning and oxygen support
Catheter care
Help with mobility and transfers
Accompany to appointments
Care coordination with healthcare providers.
Chronic disease management (diabetes, COPD, etc.)
PDN offers flexible support during the day, overnight , or round-the-clock care, completely tailored to the patient’s needs.
To learn more about the benefits and steps of PDN, read our blog ‘What to expect from Pediatric Private Duty Nursing’.
What Is Skilled Nursing?
Skilled nursing refers to medical care that is often needed for short-term medical conditions, complex recoveries, or advanced health issues that require monitoring or specialized procedures.
Skilled nursing services may include:
Wound care and dressing changes
Post-surgical care and monitoring
IV therapy and injections
Catheter or ostomy care
Ventilator or feeding tube management
Medication administration and adjustment
Care coordination with healthcare providers This care is provided in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), rehabilitation centers, or through home health agencies.
Key Differences
When to Consider Private Duty Nursing
Private duty nursing may be the right fit if your loved one:
Needs long-term daily support for a chronic condition
Rely on advanced medical equipment and frequent interventions
Wants consistent caregivers who understand their routines
Needs help with daily activities but still values independence
Needs overnight monitoring and around the clock care
When Skilled Nursing Is Necessary
Skilled nursing is more appropriate if your loved one:
Needs short-term, intermittent care provided by a nurse in the home
Has recently been hospitalized and needs monitoring post-operative recovery
Needs help with completing specific medical tasks such as wound care or medication administration
Understanding Costs and Coverage
Although both PDN and skilled nursing offer in-home medical care, insurance coverage can vary between the two. For patients recovering specific health events or procedures, skilled nursing is often fully covered by insurance. Private duty nursing, which provides more individualized, ongoing care, may have different coverage requirements depending on the insurance plan and medical necessity criteria.
Qualifying for private duty nursing often involves demonstrating a consistent need for complex, daily medical care that cannot be safely managed without nursing support in the home. Plans may offer full or partial coverage with the necessary documentation and authorization from your medical provider.
Be sure to speak with your provider and insurance company to fully understand what services are covered, what may fall under out-of-pocket expenses, and whether additional costs like equipment, supplies, or home modifications may apply.
Choosing What’s Right for You
The decision comes down to your unique situation. Ask yourself:
What level of medical care is truly needed?
What insurance coverage or financial resources are available?
Will care needs change over time, and how will that be managed?
You don’t have to make decisions alone. Talk to your doctor, discharge planner, or care coordinator at Sentido Health. We’re here to help you understand your options and create a care plan that meets your medical needs and supports your quality of life.
Head to our Private Duty Nursing home page to learn more about the services we offer and ways to get in touch.