[RN0202]

I was wondering if anyone has done private duty? This would be for a 6yr downs, with trach and g-tube at his home. I am currently in a hospital setting and it is burning me out! Any thoughts/ideas would be great.
Thanks,
Char

[caliotter3]

The quick answer: if you want to do real private duty respond to or place your own want ad in the papers, otherwise you will find it a lot easier, at least in the beginning, to go thru an agency. Done all my home care thru agencies; it's a lot easier that way. Sometimes the client will ask you to work for them privately, away from the agency, but that will require that they (and you) buy out your contract with the agency. Some agencies will place you for jobs with the arrangement that it is temp to hire, just like any regular temp agency. You should find hh a relief from the stresses of hosp work. Good luck.

[MeghanRN]

I used to do peds private duty full time, and now i do it PRN.

I love it, but, make sure you get a complete orientation on the child and all of the equipment and what to do in case something goes wrong, as it will probably be only you and the child present (in most cases).

Its a very rewarding job and I hope you enjoy it!

-Meghan

[Sassy5d]

I do (did) home care through my state as an independent. I found it to be a very eye opening experience. I come to appreciate the comforts of facility.
The lady I took care of was pretty basic care. She was an MS patient. The problem came when I thought she needed to go to the hospital and the husband did not. The family members are the boss and can basically veto anything you choose to do.
I'm used to being active with care. I find with homecare you tend to be a passive participant. (Note-This is just my experience, not trying to discredit homecare or that this is how all cases are) When it came to my case, sure I'm a nurse, but it almost felt like the husband was the doctor and he had to order all care. When my lady got very sick, he was instructing me to do all sorts of crazy things with her peg tube and her trach. I refused to do it and it caused quite a bit of tension in the home. It ultimately got me let-go from the case.