Pediatric Daycare Facilities

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Hello I wanted to know if anyone can give me advice about an opportunity to work in a pediatric daycare facility for children with moderate medical conditions. Children who require nursing care throughout the day but can't stay at home due to parents working. I applied to a craigslist posting:

"We strive to provide the very best day health care to our little ones and are opening a new Pediatric Day Health Care facility. We are seeking an experienced and qualified RN who loves to work with kids and provide medically fragile kids care while they play and learn. We are looking for a positive, energetic and an enthusiastic team player with administrative skills. Full-time, promising career. Preferably Spanish speaking.

If you are experienced and love to work with medically fragile children, then we want to hear from you! Please email your resume."

Long story but I went for the interview and found the owners and manager waiting for me in a building that is not done with rennovations. They showed me the structure and said it will open in 2-3 months. They said they are in the process of getting reviewed by the Health Department and are looking for a DON as well as RNs to work the floor.

I'm a masters prepared entry level nurse with a background in psychology for my first degree. They wanted to know if I'm interested in DON position. I told them I dont have the experience to be a DON. I do have the knowledge to work on advanced nursing projects involving administration work due to my schooling but I've never applied it in the work force.

I have less than 1 year paid clinical experience. Its hard to find a job where I am as a new grad and I keep trying. So I want to keep my options open. I just get the feeling that they wanted me so they can use to show the Health Board they have an DON who fits all the required credentials. I say this because They specifically said they would have to know if I'm on board and willing to submit my credentials to the Health Department.

I have to decide if I want to go and do a second meeting but I just don't have a good vibe about it. It doesn't make sense to me why they want to hire a new grad (less than 1 year) for a DON position other than they want to pay the DON less....

If anyone knows how these facilities work in more detail or can share similar interviewing experiences please let me know.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Listen to your inner voice!!!

I don't want to be an alarmist but personally, I see red flags too. Most esp, I see what you do - that you look good on paper to them. And they want you FAST!

Just FYI, many startup agencies and/or facilities have VERY rocky starts. There's high turnover for line staff and top staff, too. And it takes a good combo of all dept heads to mesh well for a new place's success.

I'm guessing that this is a for-profit place and that comes down to $$$. I see high needs kids with all the problems of short staffing, equip, census, etc. All the same problems that face established nsg depts today will be yours and you'll take the heat.

I don't do peds. But I've been in nsg probably more years than you are old. Been there and seen a lot.

I may be wrong about this whole situation, but you did feel the questionable vibes there.

I would be hesitant. You have the education; other opportunities will come along. Good luck.

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This sounds sketchy. I think it is all a great premise,but unsure about the reality. I would steer clear. Maybe revisit in a year, and everything should be up and running. If not...be glad you followed your instincts.

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Specializes in Pedi.

The only two medical day cares that I know of in my area are affiliated with hospitals- one with a rehab hospital and the other with an acute care hospital. This sounds sketchy.

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Specializes in peds palliative care and hospice.

I can tell you that I worked at a PPEC - Perscribed pediatric extended care facility - which is exactly what you are talking about.

I dispised it. I left when I was throwing up every day on my way to work. no structure, poorly trained CNAs, and a DON with a complex.

That said, all of them are not like that. but...beware.

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How to children get into a facility like this? Are they referred by physicians, insurances, agencies?

I emailed them back b/c they wanted to meet and lay out options. I knew they wanted some of my credential info for application process and I didn't feel right about that or the DON position. So I emailed them saying I have a few questions and that I would prefer to just be an RN interacting with patients; not a DON and I could not give my credential info for this application. Never heard from them after that....

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care.

I responded to a similar ad on craigslist, but for an LPN Job and same thing, they are not opened yet waiting for blah, blah, blah. I'm meeting them tomorrow. What area are you in, I'm in Orlando, Fl.

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Specializes in peds palliative care and hospice.

They are referred by the MD and home health. When I worked at a PPEC, we had a few kids that had wrap around nursing (mostly the t/v kids) when they didn't come to us. Its actually cheaper than private duty as far as insurance goes, and in a place that isnt familiar with complex chronic peds (Florida) its a good option IF (and that's a BIG IF) its run well.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
How to children get into a facility like this? Are they referred by physicians, insurances, agencies?

They are referred by physicians, hospitals, agencies; sometimes they drum up business for themselves to help create agreements with area physicians and hospitals.

I worked for a PPEC when they started 6 months in; we grew within the first three months I was there and we had to get agency staffing, that became permanent staffing; they are still running in it's 6th year.

I emailed them back b/c they wanted to meet and lay out options. I knew they wanted some of my credential info for application process and I didn't feel right about that or the DON position. So I emailed them saying I have a few questions and that I would prefer to just be an RN interacting with patients; not a DON and I could not give my credential info for this application. Never heard from them after that....

Unfortunately that was the best thing for you to do; they should have the nursing leadership in place, that is not something they should've even thought about approaching you in that manner. :no:

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AHCA: Medicaid Child Health Services: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC)

I never heard of such a place, only daycares for proundly DD children- and the one I did clinicals at was a bleak, bleak place. None of those kids was able to interact with other kids on any real level, so it was more like a daytime warehouse. The logistics alone for transportation were a 'nightmare'. I wondered why it existed, but after seeing this site and others online it appears Medicaid is the force behind them, to try to save money?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
AHCA: Medicaid Child Health Services: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC)

I never heard of such a place, only daycares for proundly DD children- and the one I did clinicals at was a bleak, bleak place. None of those kids was able to interact with other kids on any real level, so it was more like a daytime warehouse. The logistics alone for transportation were a 'nightmare'. I wondered why it existed, but after seeing this site and others online it appears Medicaid is the force behind them, to try to save money?

Per my experience, I have seen children grow leaps and bounds in the program; they even are evaluated for school as well as most of the kids go on to be placed in school; most meet the requirements for kindergarten. Now I know they are some programs that may be much less than desirable, but at least in my area, to be a part of one of the two that help kids reach their milestones, the right formula works; Medicaid helps allow these children to receive nursing care AND socialization and education; very beneficial to a child's holistic well being. yes:

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I am in Los Angles. I would be very careful and make sure they are willing to give you their business name and contact information. Don't give personal info or credentials for an "application" for department of health

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