PD is like the armpit of nursing

Specialties Private Duty

Published

Went to a "career fair" recently, which really was just a college recruiting event for RNs. There were, unfortunately, a large number of my graduating cohort there as well. Many of the ones I spoke with were working in Private Duty Home Care as well. However, I was struck by how they said it. Like it was the armpit of nursing and something to be ashamed of. I am proud that I am a private duty RN and I was annoyed when they would get that grimace or you could see the effort to control an eye-roll. The only reason I want a hospital position or any institutional type position is because I need some years of acute care bedside experience in order to be a viable NP. More importantly, I need to try it just to KNOW if I should even invest that much money at 45 to become an NP! Maybe I stop at the BSN and then do specialty. Guess what? I still need X amount of bedside acute care experience to specialize. So, it's a means to an end, but I digress. I don't get it, private duty is the ORIGINAL nursing. Why so much disdain? It just annoys me.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

They should want us. We're the ones that have mastered the art of dealing with the difficult/nutty parents. We could raise their satisfaction scores dramatically! On top of that we work well independently as well as a team. We are resourceful because we have to be. We have great respiratory skills since we border into the respiratory therapy area. We can and will do total care and may be the type to actually help the CNAs. Our assessment skills have to be top notch being that we are the doctors eyes and ears. If they can't see that, its their loss!

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I think you're just easily annoyed. After all, you have the same apparent goal that they do ...getting into a different area. Maybe they're also considering NP school and need acute care experience, who knows...

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I think you're just easily annoyed. After all, you have the same apparent goal that they do ...getting into a different area. Maybe they're also considering NP school and need acute care experience, who knows...

Hardly. I have three kids and I have made it through nursing school and continue to learn with them chattering around me constantly. Easily annoyed, I am not. It's besides the point anyway. The overt facial grimacing is not my perception.

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Heck I was thinking pd might stand for psych. We are always called either the armpit or the butt side lol

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Everybody is just jealous about how awesome our job is! ;D

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I'll take caring for ONE patient for 12 hours over being stretched in a million directions caring for 30+ patients and hearing all the latest drama of co-workers any day!

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

well said SDALPN

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

I agree, she said everything I would have said!

ceebeejay, those nurses are obviously wrong but it's really their loss. I don't want to sound too pollyanna but I still approach every job with the idea of what I can learn from it. I've learned so much from these patients/families.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Was just one hospital?

In my area, they LOVE PDN nurses; it takes creativity; thinking on your feet and out the box and successfully wearing many hats-and at least the area hospitals that I have spoke to LOVE that about PDN nurses...but I digress; most of the health systems have gone into the business of home health, so maybe that's why there's no issues...:whistling:

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Was just one hospital?

In my area, they LOVE PDN nurses; it takes creativity; thinking on your feet and out the box and successfully wearing many hats-and at least the area hospitals that I have spoke to LOVE that about PDN nurses...but I digress; most of the health systems have gone into the business of home health, so maybe that's why there's no issues...:whistling:

It's funny you mentioned that, LadyFree28. I have been noticing many hospitals advertising for their new Home Care services. Hospitals never were involved in home care/private duty before. I think many of my former cohort worked as Home Health Aides during school. Some were PCA's in hospitals. But, I was thinking maybe they're just tired of being in the homes. I can understand that.

I still approach every day as a chance to learn something new, as well. I can auscultate lung sounds with the best of them! LOL! And, diaper dermatitis doesn't have a chance against me. :)

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I'll take caring for ONE patient for 12 hours over being stretched in a million directions caring for 30+ patients and hearing all the latest drama of co-workers any day!

Agree!

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