advice needed for lvn in pediatrics

[bdbrdb]

Hi,

I just got hired as a home health pediatric nurse. I have experience working in a nursing home for 2 years, but never in home health nor in pediatrics. I've also been out of work for 2 years as a nurse because I stayed home to take care of my daughter. Is there any advice anyone could give me? I had orientation today and I did not feel confident at all. Are there any books, nurses references for pediatrics that anyone could recommend I get? I have to meet with the Director on Wed for more orientation, I honestly feel as though I should tell him I just don't feel confident. I don't know what to do. The Director told us during orientation that they will teach us and help further educate us and that we will not be left alone with a client until we feel we could do it on our own. But I'm afraid, maybe it's because its something new and I've been out of the nursing field for such a long time. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Ensure you are confident with the patients before you are left alone. Most of the patients I cared for had trachs and were on vents so just know what your getting yourself into.

[HippyDippyLPN]

Eek that would be scary. I am not one for peds and would not feel comfortable in that situation. Can you go back to LTC?

[psullivan95]

When you are caring for a patient in their home you have more time to learn to care for them.

It's a much slower pace which is great and you have time to learn their disease process

and how every aspect of their disease affects them. Do your research ahead of time.

Look up their main diagnoses, read and understand textbook interventions. Ask to

look at their individual care plan. Ask the patient (well, usually the parents) how

they prefer their care, what works and what hasn't worked.

I took a private duty ped HH job out of nursing school and I was petrified. Now, one

year later, I feel like it would be much more terrifying to care for 20 patients a shift

than just one.

Another great thing about peds home care is that other nurses who care for this patient tend to have a very high interest in the care of the children they care for. I had great nurses give great training because they had a vested interest in me give quality care. How would you feel if you were a nurse who cared for a child for years and another nurse comes on who doesn't know enough to

keep your patient stable and comfortable?

Remember that these are kids/adolescent who are bed/chair bound.

Imagine being a child who can't get up and run around, have friends, go to

school etc. Psychosocial development is just as important as any med.

Lastly, be able to understand that parents are a key resource.

In my cases, these children have parents who have worked hard

to keep their medically intense children alive for years (sometimes).

Don't dismiss what they have to

say just because you think you know better. Understand that some parents

may know more about caring for their child than any experienced nurse.

Don't be afraid to ask questions because parents would rather you ask

than do it wrong.

[psullivan95]

Oh, and anxiety is fine but don't turn down a job because of it. Go to the training and

ask all the right questions. Research ahead of time. Make sure you are comfortable before you start a shift alone.

Most families make sure one parent is home to help new nurses until the parents and

the nurse are comfortable.