Now I understand what other LPNs meant (PDN)

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I have been working for some months now as a HC peds nurse. I have one big concern though. I am already feeling that I do not want to be there. I still can't get over the fact that I am in someone else's home, just don't feel comfortable. I am high-energy, like to get things done and be on the go. I enjoy my patients but I would rather work in a facility. I also worry that this is just temporary (client goes to the hospital, off case, can take months depending on illness.) These are only a few thoughts. Other LPNs that have been there please tell me your experiences! Thanks...

I've been doing peds HC for over a year now. Definitely a lot of down time. Some days I'm bored out of my mind. I've been fortunate to not have kids in the hospital often. My suggestion is to take a few cases so you always have work plus it breaks up the week. As with any job there are positives and negatives.

Thanks for the suggestion! Wish I could mix it up but the comp. does not have any other available cases. That's ok though, trying to keep positive. I guess I just needed to vent...lol...:idea:Had a moment...

Ive been doing peds HC for 4 yrs now.

Im in same situation; one client cuz no other cases open now. Always worried about hospital admits and length of stays, financial concerns.

It never ends. Constant stresses with HC especially if only hv one client.

I usually do feel comfortable in the homes but try to stay out of the way as much as possible when can be. Pros and cons.

I have felt extremely bored at times

Mad and taken advantage of at times when they have 24 hr nursing care and the parents do not work outside the home and still nap all day and I do EVERYTHING and I hate feeling like a babysitter. Some days are harder then others......

At times, I love it and others not so much.

Good luck!

Did HC for peds as well. Family tried to get the nurses to babysit the other children when they went out to party, expected nurses to do the families dishes, expected us to do the families laundry, clean the home, etc. I have no problem cleaning up after my patient, but I'll be darned if I am cleaning for the whole family. Neither worked as mom was stay at home and dad was always getting fired for one reason or another.. I liked the patient and stayed for over a year, but sometimes you just don't want to do it anymore.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I'm glad I started PDN work after having worked in a hospital, clinics and doctor's offices because I liked the pace (usually), interacting wiht lots of different people and the fact that the time went by faster.

I was hesitant to do the private duty job because I feared I would be bored. My clients ended up being of sufficient complexity that I really learned a lot about vents, trachs, and what it's like for a family to cope with a child or family member who, in most cases know will never reach developmental milestones and all that entails. Luckily I wasn't taken advantage of, though I know many people who were.

I had wanted for some time to get back to bedside nursing as well. Taking a job in an LTC would've been a little too overwhelming at that point, so private duty was exactly the right job for the right time in my case, though I only went on the interview for "practice".

Many of my colleagues use their downtime to study for their RN, so for them it was a win-win.

If you've got available positions in a facility, I'd say to give it a try. Every job you have teaches you something valuable. Best wishes whatever you decide to do!

Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

You are right, it is very unstable. Pt goes in the hospital, you could be out of work for weeks. Pt is discharged and it could be a while before you see your next case. I've also had the experience of the above poster plus family stealing drugs from pts, bringing weapons on property, doing drugs on property etc. Most nurses I know work at facilities full time and just do HC PRN. I would definitely get orientated to a few cases if your company will let you. That will help.

As an aside, if you ever decide you want to get out of home care, it is really hard to do, especially if that is your only experience (or at least it has been for me and I worked in a hospital and was a military medic before I did HC).

Cheers!

Specializes in Peds Homecare.

Sometimes I'm bored, sometimes I'm busy, it all depends on my patient. Sometimes it's fun, and sometimes it's horrid. Some moms and dads you'd like to kick in the butt, and sometimes you love them. Sometimes your patient isn't so little or needy, but they love you to pieces, and you love them too. Sometimes they get better and better every passing week, but sometimes they die, and you have another piece of your heart, broken. It's all a part of your job, and you either love the case, or hate it. I've seen tonka trucks wizz by my head and the mom never said for the kids to stop, and I've hugged a mom and we cried together for a little one gone too soon. I've been pulled down the road on my roller blades in third gear by my patients electric wheelchair, all the while I'm screaming for him to stop, and he's laughing his head off. I hugged his family so hard when the muscular dystrophy got to his heart, I still remember that day. I have had hugs from people I haven't seen in years and they tell me what a good job I always did at their house. If you and the case are a bad fit tell your agency to look for a different case. Yes at times I've waited for weeks for a new case, but I love high tech peds homecare. It's my job and it's what I do.

Update: Not working at all, due to company slow down. I figured this would happen and now no job. This is the hard part, just waiting. Better things will come my way...

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