Critical/Continuous Skilled Nursing (CSN)
At-home nursing care for people who need continued help with their health
What Is Continuous Skilled Nursing?
Continuous skilled nursing (CNS), also known as critical skilled nursing, is a care service for patients who are not just recovering from an illness or hospital stay, but who need ongoing help managing serious health problems at home.
Licensed nurses come to the home to give medical care, help with treatments, and keep a close eye on the person’s health. The goal is to help them stay safely at home instead of needing frequent hospital visits or care in a facility.
Who May Need Continuous Skilled Nursing Services?
Continuous skilled nursing may be a good fit for people who:
- Have MassHealth coverage that includes this type of nursing care
- Have serious or long-term health conditions
- Need regular nursing care or medical treatment at home
- Need close monitoring of their condition
- Have complex medical needs that cannot be managed with basic home care services
- Have a doctor who recommends nursing care at home
What Do Nurses Do When Providing Continued Skilled Nursing Care?
Licensed nurses come to the home and help with medical care such as:
- Giving treatments and medical procedures
- Checking vital signs like blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate
- Watching for changes in health and reporting them to the doctor
- Helping with medications and explaining how to take them safely
- Teaching families how to manage care at home
- Giving IV medications and fluids when needed
- Caring for wounds and changing dressings
- Helping manage diabetes and blood sugar
- Taking blood samples for lab tests
- Caring for feeding tubes
- Caring for tracheostomies (breathing tubes)
- Caring for catheters and ostomies
- Helping after surgery
- Supporting people with serious or long-term illness
- Helping prevent complications or hospital visits
How Is Continuous Skilled Nursing Different from Home Health Care and Adult Foster Care?
Continuous skilled nursing is focused on medical care for people who need regular nursing care over a long period.
Home health care is short-term. It helps people recover after an illness, injury, surgery, or hospital stay. Nurses and therapists visit the home to support recovery and help the person regain strength and independence.
Adult foster care (AFC) is not medical care. Caregivers help with everyday things like bathing, meals, dressing, and routines while living in the same home as the person receiving care.
Build Your Nursing Career with Meaningful, In-home Clinical Care
If you’re a nurse or healthcare professional looking for meaningful work, explore our opportunities to provide skilled care in people’s homes.
Our benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees
- Paid time off, including a company-wide office closure from Christmas through January 1st for full-time staff
- 401(k) retirement plan with Safe Harbor and profit-sharing contributions
- Competitive pay and consistent scheduling
- Opportunities for professional growth
- Meaningful, patient-focused work
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our services, coverage, and how to begin.
No. Home health care is usually short-term and focuses on recovery after illness or surgery. Continuous skilled nursing is for people who need ongoing medical care at home.
Yes. In many cases, this care helps people stay safely at home instead of going back to the hospital.
How often visits happen depends on the care plan, the doctor’s instructions, and the person’s medical needs.
Services are available to MassHealth members who qualify based on their medical needs and program rules.
Care plans are checked regularly and updated as a person’s condition, treatment needs, or doctor’s guidance change.
How to Get Started
We support MassHealth-eligible members who need help remaining independent at home, including elderly patients, individuals recovering from illness or surgery, and those living with disabilities.
Our process is simple and straightforward:
1. Prepare Basic Care Information
Before reaching out, please gather details about care needs, living situation, and support requirements.
2. Complete an Assessment
A care manager will meet with members to complete a full assessment and determine eligibility.
3. Receive a Personalized Care Plan
If the member is eligible, our team will create a care plan for their needs and level of support.
Complete Our Quick Form to Find a Caregiver
Our team will review your information and reach out to help you take the next step.
Refer Someone You Care About
If you would like to refer a person or know someone who could use our services, please let us know and we will contact them soon.
