Nurse Nanny?

Published Jul 22, 2022

8 Posts

I used to work as a nanny for toddlers and volunteered at a daycare at my local gym while I was still in nursing school and years later after I passed my board and received my designation in Ontario, Canada, I had a baby and became a stay-at-home mom for a few years.

When my son was born, he was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation and pulmonary hypertension, so he had to stay in the NICU for 2 months where he had embolization twice. It was a horrible time for me as a first-time mom.

But when the doctors would explain the treatment, the meds, the tests, or anything related to his diseases, as a nurse I had an understanding of the procedures, side effects, etc. and I was able to somehow separate being an emotional mother and a rational nurse during this time.

One time, his NG tube was loose, and I pushed it back inside his little nostril to secure it and I realized, had I not been a nurse, would I even do that? I did his vitals, tube feedings, diaper changes and weighed them, basically I did the routine stuff except for medication administration.

There was a new doctor who examined him, and tried to explain stuff, I simply nodded, didn't even ask too much questions. I remember the doctor looking at me weirdly, because I was agreeing with whatever he was saying, and a nurse standing beside him whispered, “she’s a nurse too.” The doctor smiled and said, “oh that’s why.”

Another nurse has also commented that everything was smooth sailing with me, and that they cut their time in half explaining what this thing meant or putting me at ease because I was basically them in a sense.

My son is doing okay now, thanks to the wonderful staff, but I couldn’t help but think about the other parents there with their fears, worries, and anxieties about their sick kids. I had the same worries too but since I had the knowledge of nursing, it stabilized my thoughts.

I’ve seen videos on social media of parents, mostly moms, and their journeys with their medically diagnosed children and I can relate because I’ve been that mom. But I was lucky enough to be a nurse and had a little bit more clarity than they had. However, even though I’m a nurse, I still needed a lot of help. A LOT of help.

I now work as an office clinic nurse in Toronto (*currently on vacation as I’m writing this*) but that experience made me realize something. It made me realize that having at least the basic knowledge of nursing in a family can alleviate fears and worries for their medically diagnosed children when needed.

There are a lot of regular nanny services out there for well children but what are your thoughts on student nurses, new graduates or internationally educated nurses awaiting their nursing licenses working as part-time babysitters or nannies for kids who are low-high risk such as allergies, asthma, autism/adhd, chronic illness, Crohn’s, type 1 diabetes, physical/cognitive disabilities, etc. before they become full-fledged nurses?

It’s not necessarily a home nursing job, but it’s more on childcare. Is this something that would interest student nurses, new graduates, or even inactive nurses? Let’s hear those thoughts!

“It’s better to have a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war…” – Ancient Chinese Proverb