Visiting Nurses In today's world, roughly 75% of visiting nurses work in a Hospice role. The 25% that work in a visiting capacity work with a variety of patients and needs. Today's visiting nurse is very different than visiting nurses from 25 years ago.
The History of Visiting Nurses The visiting nurse association originated in 1896, in Omaha, NE. Anna Millard was responsible for starting the VNA, when she saw the needs of people that could not travel to a medical office. Soon after Anna started the VNA, she got the support and backing of hospitals, doctors, and the community as well. There were multiple health epidemics during that era, and many were treated solely by visiting nurses. Each decade that passed, the VNA grew, meeting the medical needs of local communities everywhere. Much of the association soon became dedicated to seniors, and their growing healthcare needs, much of which was previously overlooked. It is estimated that the care provided by visiting nurses may have saved 1 in every 4 lives that sought medical care before 1915. Related:
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As years passed visiting nurses worked with a variety of epidemics, including smallpox, and polio. With each passing decade a new group of medical dilemmas emerged, today's visiting nurse deals with primarily geriatric patients, and patients that are recovering from surgery or extended hospital stays.
Visiting Nurse Specialties 
Prenatal- visiting nurses that work with expectant moms are considered prenatal visiting nurses. Many women would not be able to seek prenatal care, or would refuse to accept prenatal care, were it not for a visiting nurse. Visiting nurses that work with expectant mothers will monitor vital signs of the mom to be. They will take measurements, weight, and assess the mothers overall medical condition. They may make dietary recommendations, and suggest a doctor's visit, or a hospital when necessary. A visiting nurse will ensure the expectant mother is getting proper nutrition for herself and baby, and will follow through with visits and care until after the birth. In some cases, care may continue on, postpartum depression often