How would I find RN/LPN childcare opportunities online without an agency?

[sincerebliss]

I am not an RN, but wish to be in the near future. I am currently a nanny and will be going back to school soon for my LPN then RN. I love working with children and I have found all of my nanny positions via childcare websites. I have also advertised myself and that has worked as well with Craigslist (I don't do CL often). I am working for a great family and have excellent references, but in the future when I'm an LPN or RN I would like the opportunity to work with a child/infant in someone's home giving care. I would rather not use an agency. How would I go about this? Are there websites out there? Would I have to get my own insurance? Could I do this as an LPN as well? I love going to peoples' homes and giving care. I have did this for older people in the past through an agency, but I love being around children more.

Thanks a lot! I have been looking at these forums on and off for a long time, but I don't post often.

[opensesame]

I think what you are more or less describing is what is called private duty nursing. You would need your own insurance. I know very little about it (I'm sure someone on here knows more or has worked in this capacity).

Is there some reason why you wouldn't want to go work for a pediatric home care agency specifically?

[sincerebliss]

I think what you are more or less describing is what is called private duty nursing. You would need your own insurance. I know very little about it (I'm sure someone on here knows more or has worked in this capacity).

Is there some reason why you wouldn't want to go work for a pediatric home care agency specifically?

Well, I figured that it is setup similar to a nanny agency. For example, the families are paying the agency more money than you're getting paid, you have to call the agency first and they contact the family if you call in sick vs you, and it's less personal. I would rather not deal with the middle man. Plus, I love how my job situation is set up and I love it!

Your comment did help. It gives me another word to research. =)

[caliotter3]

Private duty nurses, both RN and LPN, find employment through word of mouth and standard employment sources, such as employment websites and newspaper ads.

[stacey914]

Being the Mom of a child that requires private duty nursing care, (we go through an agency and our insurance pays for it), my advice would be to go through an agency. I would think the majority of parents that have a child that requires nursing care could not afford to pay out of pocket. Also with an agency, you can get benefits and they will have back-ups should you become unavailable.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

While I am not yet a nurse, I have some experience as a parent of a special needs child.

One caveat is that many private duty agencies contract with state (children's health insurance programs and medicaid) and commercial insurance companies as participating providers. Parents may have difficulty submitting a claim for reimbursement for an independent private duty nurse. While word of mouth will get you private pay clients, as a mom of a special needs child it has been my experience that many parents cannot afford self pay private duty nursing.

I know the agencies in my area also offer specialty certifications for RN's & LPN's that work for them (such as pediatric tracheostomy care, ventillator care, wound care, & home IV therapy). I know a few moms of medically fragile children. They are registered with the department of developmental disabilities and special child health services. Some of their private duty nursing is contracted through the county dept of health & others are contracted through an agency that participates in their insurance/medicaid. (Many developmentally disabled/medically fragile children qualify for medicaid/state insurance independent of their family income). The agencies in my area also bond their nursing staff as well as participate in the state mandated finger printing and background checks.

For school aged children, the local districts contract often with the same agency as the family/insurance company to provide individualized special care for medically fragile children to attend class. (Trach care, ventilator management, tube feeding, etc.)

That said, the local newspapers have a variety of classified ads seeking in home skilled care (non-agency).

I understand your point on wanting to skip the middle man. In college I worked for several temp agencies. In one job I had to post the bill for my services, and was shocked that they charged over 2x my hourly wage.

Good luck in your endeavors.

[FocusRN]

And you could always start an agency of your own. This is what my husband and I plan to do, with him being an RT and when I am an RN.

[FocusRN]

In addition to my original reply I would like to add that YES it is possible to be an independent nurse LPN or RN, and bill medicaid and insurance companies. It will just take a bit of work first.