First Hime Case...Scared

luv4nursing · Nov 17, 2006

I am a new LPN that just received my license in June. I am working in an adult clinic, and working as a flu nurse on weekends from an agency. The flu season for this agency stops next week, and the agency offered me a home case that is 10 minutes from my house...a pediatric patient that is 4 years old that has a trach. She was a premie born at 24 weeks, and of course has suffered from respiratory problems. THey say that the child can eat by mouth, goes to school takes a slew of medications and has to be suctioned. The mother is very involved in her care, and for some reason, I am scared to death. I NEED to get my feet wet, so to speak, and this is ideal, for the case is not far, but the main thing that I want is that the child remains safe in my care. I want to meet the nurse, mother and child next week so that I can see the routine. They say that she is very active, and that is a good thing...she lets you know when she needs to be suctioned or needs oxygen.
I can't be afraid to learn new things, and have to dive sometime. I love ambulatory care, and plan to make my main career there, but the clinic is limiting in nursing experience, and I need more. I want to be able to do hime care as well and be a well rounded nurse that primarily works in clinic settings. Do you all think that I should do this? I spoke to the nurse that is in charge of the case, told her that I am new, and she didn't seem to have an issue with this...she told me to try and feel the case out, and if I don't want to continue, I don't have to, but she seemed to be really supportive. Any suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated!!

Hey! I started working in Peds home health as soon as I got my license and have been working in this field for a year now. Hear me when I tell you, you have NOTHING to worry about....after a while u will see that you get into such a routine you wont even feel challenged, which is how Im feeling now. Once you get used to trach care and suctioning, etc, etc, thats about all their is to it. You can feel more comfortable to know that most of these kids are fairly stable or else they would be in the hospital. Its funny what you say about wanting to be more well rounded bc I feel the same way. I feel like my experience and skills are limited since all Ive done is home care so far. I am getting ready to go back for my RN in January so Ill probably just stay put until I graduate since its a great job if you are a student. there is lots of down time, especially if u work nights so you can study, watch tv, read, etc. Good luck and you will be fine!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2006

one patient in home care is a very nice way to ease into things. i did private nursing for 3 years and my mother owned an agency that placed people in home care situations. the only thing i would caution you about is to assess the character of the parents when you interview. sometimes there is a reason that long term cases like this are having to change up nurses all the time--one or both parents are too controlling and their personality just makes the situation extremely unpleasant for everyone. most of the time that is not the case, but it can happen.

after my initial first job as a new grad in a nursing home where i took a lot of abuse from some nasty charge nurses who wanted to humiliate rather than help orient a new person, i did three years of private duty nursing. taking care of one patient at a time (and getting paid good money at the same time!) was, i think, where i gained more confidence to finally move on into working in the acute hospital.

here is a website started and maintained by the parent of a child who was cared for at home with a trach. the parents maintain the site for caregivers of other children who have to deal with trachs and trach problems. good luck with your meeting and interview!

http://tracheostomy.com/ - aaron's tracheostomy page. everything you want to know about tracheostomies and trach care. lots of pictures and explanations. scroll down the page and you will find links. go to the site map and you will find links to respiratory surgical procedures, many of which are videos.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 19, 2006

I really appreciate this. I'll have to see...I really feel a bit uncomfortable working with pediatric patients, but I will speak to the nurse again, and try and sit with the nurse once or twice. They say the child is really active, and I have to have a definition of what active means to them.