Important Things to Know About Nurse On Board
FAQ's It's a relatively new idea in Canada to have Registered Nurses working in independent practice. At Nurse On Board, our Care Managers are not only highly experienced healthcare professionals, but also expert navigators of the healthcare system and community support services. Below you'll find answers to a few of the many questions we're often asked. |
Click on any question or + symbol below to reveal the answer.
what CAN I expect to pay for a nurse care manager?
We keep it simple for you. Nurse On Board charges a one-time fee for the intake visit, and an hourly rate after that, based on the work your Nurse Care Manager does on your behalf. From our perspective, there’s no minimum or maximum level of support. We leave that up to you to determine how we can best serve you.
Nurse On Board also offers packages for clients who require regular contact, and for families that want ongoing updates from the Nurse Care Manager regarding their loved one. |
why is a registered nurse the best patient advocate for me?
Registered Nurses have a unique scope of practice. Because of their medical knowledge and training as regulated health professionals, they can practice independently on your behalf while collaborating with your health care providers. Our Nurse Care Managers are veteran RNs with many years of experience under their belt. Imagine having that kind of knowledge and insight working on your behalf.
Every RN at Nurse On Board is well-versed in community care. They're able to advise you on the no-fee services you are eligible for. |
how do you select the registered nurse that works with me?
Nurse On Board does its very best to choose a RN that lives nearby and has the clinical experience matching your medical and homecare needs. We currently operate in eight regions of Ontario. If we aren't in your region, we are able to offer services by telemedicine, to ensure you have the best possible support.
Rest assured you'll get a highly experienced RN who is ready to bring years of knowledge, skill and judgement to improve your health care experience. |
tell me about the electronic health record and 'patient portal'.
How do we manage your care plan, assessments, visit notes and medications so effectively? Our Electronic Health Record is the key, allowing Nurse Care Managers and clients to share information efficiently and securely. This is an ideal solution that allows for another Nurse Care Manager to access health care information when providing backup support.
Our Electronic Health Record system meets all of the standards for the protection of personal health information under Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). |
what is an 'intake visit' and why is it important?
Without knowing your medical and social history or your goals in health care, we have no way of knowing your story. The Intake Visit accomplishes this. This allows us to identify and solve problems, prioritize concerns, address gaps and connect all of the dots, to meet your distinct needs. The Intake Visit provides your Nurse Care Manager with a thorough overview, while allowing you to clearly define the specific ways we can help.
There's no other organization that provides the clinical support and system navigation that Nurse On Board does. The good news is, we're there to help you for as long as you need us to, and on your terms. If you don’t need us for a very long time, that’s terrific. You can remain registered with us as a reliable back-up plan for any unexpected health concerns that arise. |
can i call my nurse anytime?
While our Nurse Care Managers are well-positioned to oversee the care you receive, Nurse On Board is not an emergency service and does not offer 24-hour support. Typically regular appointments are scheduled in advance based on your direction, and your health requirements. We seek to support you in off-hours too, whenever possible.
Solutions start with conversations. The key to having the best support possible, is to let your Nurse Care Manager know when you first identity a problem or concern. We have a goal to keep our patients out of the hospital and out of harms way! |
how often does my nurse visit me at home?
That really depends on your circumstances. Some clients like meeting with their Nurse Care Manager on a weekly basis. Others only require a monthly visit. There are individual and families who simply require phone support when needing guidance around important decisions. There are times in acute care situations when you may want your Nurse Care Manager on a daily basis.
Some of our clients and their families favour a proactive approach to healthcare, making Nurse On Board the best back-up plan they could have. This is especially valuable to those who have no family member living close by to provide support. This could mean no scheduled visits until the need arises, a strategy that gives peace of mind to everyone, especially for seniors living on their own. |
Does a nurse care manager help me to stay in my own home longer?
Many people are able to stay in their own home with our support. Having a Nurse Care Manager makes all the difference in your ability to remain independent for as long as possible. Our goal is to ensure you have the best care and oversight, so that every aspect of your health and well being is addressed. As they say, “it’s better to be looked-over than overlooked!”
Our Nurse Care Managers make it their mission to help seniors age gracefully at home or in the location of their choice. |
do you offer special rates for more than one family member?
While our Intake Visits and hourly rates remain the same, even when registering two people, your Nurse Care Manager can often combine support in such a way that provides savings beyond the initial visit. Often couples register with us, even when only one has an immediate health concerns. Often the healthiest of the two is a caregiver, and if they become ill, your Nurse Care Manager can intervene immediately, already having your important medical information. Planning ahead can bring peace of mind, and more importantly, better health outcomes.
Review our packages here for regular visits and follow-up calls. |
are your services covered by my insurance?
In many cases our services are covered by third party health insurance, though we do not offer direct billing. Some policies have an annual amount (i.e. SunLife offers up to $15,000), and others offer a lifetime amount to draw upon. Your application must be signed by a physician, however your Nurse Care Manager can assist you with this process once the Intake Visit has been completed. We have no way of anticipating the ruling of the insurance company and the amount of subsidy our patient's will receive.
If you contact the insurance company to request information on their process, you are not obligated to share any personal health information. Typically they will not backdate their coverage, therefore an application for nursing services is important to address at the Intake Visit to quality for a subsidy as soon as possible. Be sure to ask your Nurse Care Manager for direction on this. |
why do you offer a free 30-minute phone consultation?
We know that our support means you are making an investment in your care or that of a family member. This begins with a frank conversation about your needs, and what we can do for you. We'll answer your questions about the support we offer.
This will allow your Nurse Care Manager to ensure they're a good fit for you, based upon time, location, availability and suitability. You'll discover it’s 30 minutes well spent. |
Where can I learn more about the benefits of your integrative medicine approach to health and wellness?
The integrative medicine services of Nurse On Board are provided by highly experienced Registered Nurses. Those who are providing treatments and therapies are operating within their scope of nursing practice and have the appropriate knowledge, experience, and education/certification to be offering these care options. Click here to download an overview of our Integrative approach to holistic healing and health maintainence.
Follow the links below to learn more about how conventional 'western' medicine practitioners are now adopting integrative therapies as complementary to mainstream treatment protocols.
Information from North America's Top-Ranked Hospital: Mayo Clinic's Integrative Medicine Overview
An Article on this Expanding Health Care Specialty: Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching
A Child's Perspective on Holistic, Integrative Health and Well-Being: Wishes have Wings: Soaring with the Chakra Angels
Follow the links below to learn more about how conventional 'western' medicine practitioners are now adopting integrative therapies as complementary to mainstream treatment protocols.
Information from North America's Top-Ranked Hospital: Mayo Clinic's Integrative Medicine Overview
An Article on this Expanding Health Care Specialty: Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching
A Child's Perspective on Holistic, Integrative Health and Well-Being: Wishes have Wings: Soaring with the Chakra Angels
Cannabis Care
The medical use of cannabis has been a game-changer for thousands of Canadians. Find out how it can make a difference for you with the expert guidance of a Registered Nurse. Read more. |
Health Care Management
We've designed a unique and holistic approach to patient health. Your Nurse Care Manager will work to open doors to precisely the care and services you need. Read more. |
Corporate Care
A range of Nurse On Board services are available for retirement residences and seniors' communities, to support individuals in both independent and assisted living environments. Read more. |