Pedi Home Health

liveyourlife747 · Dec 13, 2008

I work with mostly pedi patients through my home health agency. I deal with trachs, vents, g-tubes, VS, suctioning, giving meds, wheelchairs, I&O caths, PT/OT/ST. I absolutly love it! i was nervous starting out, but it is such a joy. The kids are wonderful and have anything from being a premie on a vent to having SMA. These children bring so much to my life, and I've only been with them a little over 5 months.

You do have a lot of responsibility though. They are little beings and require special care with the upmost attention to not having med errors because the slightest mess up can harm them easily.

You also deal with the parents, doctors, and therapists which can sometimes be challenging. You have to remember that most of the time the child's parent's are the best source of information if the child doesn't seem to be acting right or if a medication doesn't seem to be working, etc.

I'm doing an LPN to RN bridge program and I do find it challenging to get my school work done when dealing with the little ones because they require so much play time, therapy time, and of course cuddle time! If you are wanting to get work done, try doing the night shift, that's where I find i can get the most done for school.

I hope that helps you a little with your decision. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! You also might want to visit the Private Duty/Home Health fourm under the specialties and possibly the Pediatric fourm as well. They have helped me a lot.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2008

Hi, I'm actually an RN that's getting started in home health (peds). I look forward to seeing what all advice people have to offer.

liveyourlife747 · Dec 14, 2008

good luck! i love it! are you going to be doing private duty or managing cases or doing hourly visits?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2008

good luck! i love it! are you going to be doing private duty or managing cases or doing hourly visits?

I'm hoping to do private duty through an agency.

Thornbird · Dec 15, 2008

A lot of times RN's get sucked into doing more case management than care. I really enjoy Pedi Home Care. They really need you and you can really have fun with some of them. Of course, there are those who are so severely disabled that they don't respond much. But, most of the cases I've had were really fun.

Rule number 1: Trust the parents. They know these kids ad their conditions inside out.

You usually do bathing, feeding (or tube feed), meds, incontinent care. They usually have differet orthotic devices you have to learn to apply. There may be scheduled therapeutic exercises for you to do or it may be more just palying with them. The more mobile kids may be in electric wheelchairs. You may go on outings with these kids. You often have to go to MD appointments. I've never had to go alone with a kid, the moms always want to be there.

Paperwork is pretty minimal. Usually med & treatment sheets along with a shift note. Format varies, most agencies use a flow sheet with a small narrative section. Everything gets sent to the office and you must report any changes or new orders right away so that copies can be faxed out for MD sig and care plans updated.

If you get a case you're not comfortable with, speak up ad ask for a different one. I've occassionally run into people who foster/adopt special needs kids to get the state money and don't really care. These homes are not comfortable to work and there may be more than one child patient. these are the ones the agencies really pushh because the "parents" are always nagging for more help. They want nurses 24/7 to do everything while they collect the state $$. These are rare, but it can happen.

Most times parents are overworked and not getting enough rest because they can't get enough nursing hours. They are caring and appreciative. Even those in terrible financial difficulties put the child first and do everything they can to give the child the best.

liveyourlife747 · Dec 15, 2008

Thornbird's post reminded me of something. If the child is in the school age, we get to go to school with them! it is so exciting because you get involved with gym, music, art, etc. it's like being a big kid all over again!

Thornbird · Dec 15, 2008

Sometimes you go to school. Sometimes the school provides nursing for in school. In many instances insurance won't pay for the nurses for school, the school must provide if needed. I've been able to work it out so that the school hires me also and that works out great. You always get to do pre-school though. Also, extra-curricular activities are covered by the home nurse. When you go to school, you are also the child's assistant for participating in class. You help with every class. It's fun and you get to kbow lots of kids. You know "your" child's life andfriends better than most parents do!!!