Anyone doing pediatric home health?

caliotter3 · Mar 26, 2009

I have done more peds cases in home health than adult cases. I believe this would be a good fit for you for the same reasons many people go into home health. Flexibility of scheduling and only having one client at a time. To minimize stress, particularly in the beginning, you should consider asking for shift work rather than intermittent visits. That way you only work with one client per day instead of driving all over and having the stress of paperwork for however many clients you see in one day. You, of course, are already familiar with the needs of peds families so you wouldn't be surprised in that area. You can arrange a schedule that allows you plenty of rest and wind down time. You can work shifts from 4 to 16 hours a day, one or seven days a week. Sometimes arrangements can be made with a family to tailor the shift hours so you could be at home at a certain time for your own family. All of this is set up with the assistance of the staffing coordinator. You just need to let your needs be known when you are hired. The experience you talk about in your post tells me you have just the skills an agency would look for in a peds nurse. Of course, it stands to reason, that you need to be cautious about talking about your prior health problems. Check with the agencies in your area and see if you can find yourself a new, lower stress work environment that allows you to utilize your skills and experience. Good luck and congratulations on returning to work.

meluhn · Mar 27, 2009

Mustlove, You would be a great asset to a pediatric home care agency. By me they are always looking for nurses. As long as you don't mind long periods of time just being alone with the kid or maybe sitting on the sidelines while they are at school, you will do fine. I found it to be relatively stress free most of the time unless you have a really sick kid. I also found it to be extremely boring and lonely. I missed chatting with coworkers. I agree with the pp, the visits are much more stressful b/c you are driving around trying to find addresses in places you might not be familiar with. You have alot of paperwork and you might not have all the supplies you need once you get to the home. Good luck.

mustlovepoodles, RN · Mar 27, 2009

Thanks for the encouragement. At the moment I don't feel capable of working, but hopefully by June I will. I'm telling you one thing, living with severe depression is like being in a car wreck--it almost feels like a brain injury. When they told me I would be out for 12 weeks I really didn't believe it. But it's been 6 weeks and slowly but surely, things are turning around. I think in a few weeks I will be a lot better, have better concentration. :nurse:

Lorie P. · Mar 27, 2009

when you get well enough to return to work, hh/pdn just maybe for you. there is some stress involved but nothing like the hospital. i worked 4+ years as a med/surge staff nurse and finally had to leave.

hh/pdn can get boring but there are days when you will have to use all your skills and critical thinking skills.

i wish you the best of luck!

rbs105, ADN, MSN, RN · Mar 29, 2009

I am trying to work my way back into pt care and starting in peds home health. I have been in the OR but have worked in peds rehab and have a special needs child. It is very nice because I am working nights and they are starting me on cases where the kids are pretty stable and low maintenance. I don't think I can handle med surg and I believe it would also push me over the edge. This has been a nice solution. I worry about every being able to go back to the floor, but maybe I never will..I might just stay in HH!! Good luck!!

RNRutRO · Mar 31, 2009

mustlovepoodles-

My heart goes out to you. Depression really sucks! I haven't been where you are, but I'm sure pretty close. I find I do better when I work, because I have to get out of bed to do it. Right? I wanted you to know that someone is praying for you. Depression is like looking through a dirty window that is slowly cleaned. You can't really tell how much better it is at the time, but one day you look out, and it's a beautiful CLEAR day. You too will one day (and soon) realize it's okay. It's a process.

((((HUGS))))) to you and prayers your way. I do believe that God is Awesome, and He will answer those prayers and you will be sharing your love with those peds patients~