Joys of working Private Duty

caliotter3 · Sep 6, 2011

An exceptional working relationship with one's private duty employer can be priceless. However, if that relationship starts to get too one-sided with unrealistic expectations, then it will eventually destroy the working relationship. Until one decides to sever the employment status, things can get very uncomfortable. No one wants to constantly hear how much the employer has done for them, how wonderful they have it, how they should be thanking their lucky stars, etc., etc. The constant digs and guilt trip conversations get old fast and there is no turning back once the employer starts down this road.

systoly · Sep 6, 2011

Monday Morning, traffic is chaotic, I get stopped not by one, but by two trains, great, now I don't have time to return the movies before work, there'll be a late fee, I barely make it to work on time. I greet my little patient and he responds with his smile that can melt an iceberg and he fills the air with his happy sounds. I feel great in an instant and I tell him, "I hope one day I can do as much for you as you do for me".

Ms_Bee · Sep 7, 2011

Monday Morning, traffic is chaotic, I get stopped not by one, but by two trains, great, now I don't have time to return the movies before work, there'll be a late fee, I barely make it to work on time. I greet my little patient and he responds with his smile that can melt an iceberg and he fills the air with his happy sounds. I feel great in an instant and I tell him, "I hope one day I can do as much for you as you do for me".

LOVE THIS!!!!

systoly · Sep 7, 2011

Words (at least my words) can't do it any justice. So many of them can't talk, can't walk , in fact, can't do much of anything - or so it would appear - until you realize they can make your world better in an instance.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2011

1) Realizing that the kid who can't walk or talk and the docs all say "isn't home" actually recognizes you. Not only does she recognize you, but she gets MAD at you because you're the one who won't let her sleep off her seizures all day on the couch.

2) I've only been doing PD for about three months -- I've been the main nurse on this other kid for about two months or so. Her PT and OT (who make it out about every two or three weeks or so) happened to come by on the first day I was there. We chatted. And I've been pushing some pretty heavy PT/OT with this kid since then. I think realizing that the holistic nursing spiel they give you actually works was huge for me. My kiddo here has gone from not being able to stand being on her stomach to actually using her arms to crawl towards toys that she wants while on her tummy. I will have this kid crawling!

nowwhat1 · Nov 2, 2011

It is amazing what these kids can do with the right stimulus.Keep up the GOOD WORK!

LevitateMe, RN · Nov 2, 2011

My kiddo went from not being able to sit up on her own to crawling and now standing all by herself. Its awesome knowing you were a part of that.

SDALPN · Nov 3, 2011

I love getting to watch tv all day, going through all the rooms in the house to see what I can find, rearranging things so that nobody can find them (rearranging the keys on the laptop was fun!), sleeping, having friends over (its a great place for the ones I meet on the internet), eating free food all day, and playing video games!

ok, ok, I've seen all of that on a regular basis except for rearranging the keys on a laptop.

The best part is being able to give 1:1 care to a patient. There is no way in any other setting that they can receive the kind of care we can give. The patient is no longer a number. Seeing the improvement with these patients no matter how long it takes to see the improvement is sooo rewarding! And not having someone stand over my shoulder constantly is great. I love being able to manage myself and my shift. Getting to meet people from so many different backgrounds and learning about their lives/culture. :-)

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Nov 4, 2011

I get paid to go to the fair, go camping, go to shows, and go for walks around the neighborhood.

PedsRNCara · Nov 7, 2011

I have been a Private Duty Pediatric RN for two and a half months now. I am very lucky to be working in a home where my client is able to have all the top notch health care his insurance can buy. I am very grateful to be working with such a nice family. The only complaint that I have is that they like me to play gospel music during his bed bath in the mornings. :confused:

Other than my difference in opinion on religion, I get along swimmingly with the family and think that this is a good first nursing job since graduating.

And I get to walk around the house in my socks, which is very nice.

caliotter3 · Nov 7, 2011

Be careful about the socks thing. My supervisor told one of my clients that she could not restrict us from wearing shoes because it is considered a safety hazard. So, I wore shoes when I knew the supervisor was coming to the house.

If gospel music during baths was my only discomfort, I would be a very, very happy camper instead of only a happy camper! Home health is great, for the most part. And BTW, welcome to the gang Cara! :yeah: