peds home health

[bluepenguin]

I currently work in a NICU but it is about an hour and 15 min drive through loads of city traffic so I have been looking for a job closer to home. I have always been interested in HH and decided to apply. The agency I apllied to is very interested in hiring me, they basically said once, my clearances come in that I can get orientation started. I was just wondering if any of you could tell me a bit about what your day is like as a peds HH nurse and what type of shifts you work, how many pt's a shift, ect. I would be working 8hr shifts m-f and they made it sound like I would only have 1-2 pts a day, and that it would be the same pt's so you get to know them and the families real well.

Is that what it is like for you too?

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I have done only a bit of peds shift/hated it. I found the pay way to low and the kids complex/vents etc/birth defects/brain damage/ burns or trauma cases or other problems but I have a hard time sitting around . I don't think I every had any kids on my caseload that were in good areas/not to sound bad but that was the reality.

Alot of people do it and love it.

renerian

[TexasPediRN]

I've done peds home health (private duty) since last October. Its always been 1 patient a day, for 8-12 hours. I dont mind sitting around in patient homes, but I do prefer working with the more complex patients. I'm completely independent with trach and g-button care now, which is something I couldnt say before when I worked hospital. I'm presently learning ventilators, and I'm ok with them except for troubleshooting, so I wont yet take a vent patient by myself.

My days normally consist of assessments, meds, GButton feedings, therapies in home (PT/OT/ST), accompanying parents to drs appointments (most of these kiddos require a 2 person transport due to their medical needs), baths, trach care, oral care, etc.

I do know all of my families very well, and most families love me and are thrilled to see me on their schedules. I also do orientations for new nurses at patient homes so they can learn the patients care.

I find home health to be very rewarding- sure you can have low acuity patients who may be slightly boring- but its a very independent job and i love it.

Good luck!