New to pediatric private duty nursing...want education.

caliotter3 · Jan 24, 2011

Have not heard of any training. People learn on the job. Unless you had community nursing in your nursing program. Mine only covered visit nursing; nothing was said about doing extended care, and I wound up in extended care. I've virtually learned everything on the job.

Kmeganb · Jan 25, 2011

Thank you. How do you know what type of charting to do, on what and how often? Also- what about dr's orders, POC, etc? I'm just not sure how to learn those things on the job if I do independent/private duty nursing.

caliotter3 · Jan 29, 2011

When I did a private duty case, I didn't have to do any charting except for a notebook for Mom with just a general shift summary. When she was home from work she was usually just satisfied with a verbal report. When I do extended care cases for an agency, I do the charting that they require. That consists of a nursing note for the shift done on their form. I sign off meds and treatments on standard MAR, TAR forms. Once in awhile I do supplemental order forms for changes to the plan of care and an occasional communication note. All of these are done on the agency forms. The charting is actually the easy part of the job. As for what to do and how to do it, normally the family is involved enough to show you the way they want things done. You should also be oriented to individual cases by a nurse who is already on the case or you get a brief verbal summary by the nursing supervisor. Before starting a case, you need to get a copy of the 485, plan of care. It might be helpful to attend a vent class and get a "certificate", although I have found the classes to be less than helpful. I learned about vents from nurses on the job and a company rep who was an RT. HTH

Kmeganb · Jan 30, 2011

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!