When a family member is seriously ill, recovering from surgery, or dealing with a condition that needs constant monitoring, hospital stays aren't always the answer. Hospitals in Kathmandu are crowded, expensive for extended stays, and emotionally draining for both patients and families.
That's where 24/7 home nursing care comes in. It brings hospital-level medical attention into the comfort and familiarity of your own home — with a certified nurse present around the clock to monitor, treat, and care for your loved one.
This guide covers everything families in Kathmandu need to know about arranging round-the-clock nursing care at home.
What Exactly Is 24/7 Home Nursing Care?
24/7 home nursing care means having a licensed, professional nurse present at your home at all times — day and night. This isn't a caretaker or helper; it's a medically trained professional who can administer medications, monitor vital signs, manage wounds, handle IV lines, and respond to emergencies.
In practice, 24-hour coverage is usually provided through shift-based nursing:
- Day shift (7 AM - 7 PM) — One nurse handles daytime medical care, medication, therapy exercises, meals, and hygiene assistance
- Night shift (7 PM - 7 AM) — A second nurse takes over for overnight monitoring, repositioning bed-bound patients, and responding to any nighttime needs
Some families prefer a single live-in nurse who stays at the home full-time. This works well for patients who need regular attention but not intensive medical monitoring throughout the night. We help you decide which model suits your situation.
When Does Your Family Need 24/7 Nursing?
Not every patient needs round-the-clock care. Here are the situations where 24-hour nursing makes a real difference:
After Major Surgery
Patients discharged after heart surgery, orthopaedic procedures, abdominal surgery, or neurosurgery often need continuous monitoring for the first 1-2 weeks. A nurse can manage wound care, watch for complications like infection or blood clots, administer pain medication on schedule, and coordinate with the surgeon. Learn more about our post-surgery care.
Critical Care Transition
Patients stepping down from hospital ICU to home still need close observation. Vital signs need checking every few hours, oxygen levels must be monitored, and medication schedules are often complex. A 24-hour nurse provides ICU-level vigilance at home.
Elderly Patients with Complex Needs
Seniors managing multiple conditions — diabetes plus heart disease, or dementia plus mobility issues — benefit enormously from having a nurse available at all times. Night falls, wandering (common with dementia), and medication timing errors are all risks that 24-hour nursing mitigates. See our elderly care services.
Chronic Illness Requiring Constant Monitoring
Conditions like COPD, kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or heart failure can deteriorate quickly. A nurse who knows your family member's baseline vitals can catch changes early — before they become emergencies.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care
For families choosing to care for a terminally ill loved one at home, 24/7 nursing provides pain management, comfort care, and emotional support — allowing the patient to spend their final days in dignity, surrounded by family rather than in a hospital ward.
Patients on Ventilators or Oxygen Therapy
Respiratory equipment requires trained supervision. A nurse ensures the equipment functions correctly, monitors oxygen saturation, and responds immediately if there's a problem.
What Do 24-Hour Nurses Actually Do?
Here's a realistic picture of what a round-the-clock nurse handles over a typical 24-hour period in a Kathmandu home:
Morning (7 AM - 12 PM)
- Check and record vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, blood sugar)
- Administer morning medications
- Assist with bathing, grooming, and dressing
- Change wound dressings if needed
- Help with breakfast and ensure dietary guidelines are followed
- Assist with physiotherapy exercises if prescribed
Afternoon (12 PM - 7 PM)
- Afternoon vital signs check
- Manage any scheduled IV therapy or injections
- Assist with lunch and hydration
- Reposition bed-bound patients to prevent pressure sores
- Coordinate with visiting doctors or family members
- Update care documentation
Night (7 PM - 7 AM)
- Evening medications and vital signs
- Help with dinner and bedtime routine
- Overnight monitoring — checking on the patient every 2-3 hours
- Respond to any pain, discomfort, or emergency during the night
- Reposition bed-bound patients to prevent bedsores
- Manage catheter, drain, or oxygen equipment through the night
Emergency Home Nursing vs. Scheduled 24/7 Care
These are two different services, and it's important to understand the distinction:
Scheduled 24/7 care is pre-arranged. You contact us, we match a nurse (or two for shift-based coverage), and care begins on a planned date. This is ideal for post-surgery recovery, chronic illness management, and ongoing elderly care.
Emergency home nursing is for urgent, unplanned situations — a sudden health crisis, an unexpected hospital discharge, or a family emergency where you need a nurse immediately. We respond to emergency requests within 30 minutes and can have a nurse at your home within 2-4 hours.
Both services use the same pool of certified, experienced nurses. The difference is timing and urgency.
How Shifts Work in Kathmandu
We offer flexible scheduling to match your family's needs and budget:
- 8-hour shifts — Best for families who need nursing support during specific parts of the day (e.g., daytime only while family members are at work)
- 12-hour shifts — Two nurses alternate, each covering half the day. The most common arrangement for full 24-hour medical coverage
- 24-hour live-in — A single nurse stays at the home. Suitable for patients who need regular but not continuous intensive monitoring. The nurse gets scheduled rest breaks
For most families needing true 24/7 medical coverage, we recommend two nurses on 12-hour shifts. This ensures each nurse is fully alert and attentive during their shift — critical for patients with complex medical needs.
Areas We Cover in Kathmandu Valley
Our 24/7 home nursing service covers all major areas across the Kathmandu Valley:
- Kathmandu — Baneshwor, Lazimpat, Baluwatar, Maharajgunj, New Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Kalanki, Swayambhu, Thamel, Chabahil, Bouddha
- Lalitpur (Patan) — Jawalakhel, Pulchowk, Sanepa, Kupondole, Satdobato, Imadol, Lubhu
- Bhaktapur — Bhaktapur Durbar Square area, Suryabinayak, Thimi, Lokanthali
- Surrounding areas — Kirtipur, Budhanilkantha, Tokha, Chandragiri, Godawari
If you're unsure whether we cover your area, just message us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm.
Our Nurses: Certified, Verified, Experienced
Every nurse who provides 24/7 care through Nursing Care Nepal meets these standards:
- Nepal Nursing Council registration — Valid, verified professional license
- Background checked — Identity verification and character references
- Clinical experience — Hands-on hospital or home nursing experience relevant to the patient's condition
- Ongoing training — Regular skill updates and protocol reviews
We don't send untrained helpers. When you hire a 24/7 nurse through us, you're getting a medical professional who can make clinical judgements, handle emergencies, and communicate effectively with doctors.
How to Arrange 24/7 Nursing Care
Getting started is simple:
- Contact us via WhatsApp (+977 9823875737) or our online care request form
- Share the patient's details — condition, medical history, any discharge documents, and what type of coverage you need
- We recommend a care plan — shift type, nurse specialization, and transparent pricing
- Care begins — typically within 24-48 hours for planned care, or within hours for emergencies
There are no long-term contracts. You can start with a trial week and adjust based on how things go. Many families begin with 24-hour coverage during the critical recovery period and gradually reduce to day-only or part-time nursing as the patient improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 24/7 home nursing care include?
It includes vital signs monitoring, medication administration, wound care, IV therapy, daily living assistance (bathing, feeding, mobility), emergency response, and detailed care documentation shared with your family and doctors.
How much does 24-hour home nursing cost in Kathmandu?
Costs vary based on the patient's condition, level of care needed, and shift arrangement. We provide transparent quotes with no hidden fees. Contact us at +977 9823875737 for pricing specific to your situation.
Can I hire a night nurse only?
Yes. Many families hire a nurse only for the night shift (7 PM - 7 AM) when family members can't stay awake to monitor the patient. You can also choose day-only or specific hour blocks.
How quickly can a nurse start?
For planned care, we arrange nurses within 24-48 hours. For emergencies, we respond within 30 minutes and can have a nurse at your home within 2-4 hours.
What's the difference between a nurse and a caretaker?
A nurse is a licensed medical professional who can administer medications, manage IV lines, monitor vitals, handle emergencies, and make clinical decisions. A caretaker provides non-medical support like companionship, meal preparation, and basic daily assistance. For patients with medical needs, you need a nurse.